The Staff and the Parting of the Sea
Surah Az-Zukhruf, Ayah 51:
“Pharaoh called out to his people and said, ‘O my people! Is not the kingdom of Egypt and these rivers flowing beneath me mine? Do you not see?’”
In this verse, Pharaoh arrogantly addresses his people, claiming divine-like ownership over the land and the rivers. The waters he claims as his possession would ultimately lead to his downfall. Historically, the Egyptians controlled the Nile River floods through the construction of dams. Notably, Lake Nasser was created for irrigation purposes, covering an area of about 5,180 km².
Flooding of the Nile has been a challenge since ancient times and remains so today. In Pharaoh’s era, control over water power was supported by dams made of stone and earth. These structures were called “yemm”, meaning “man-made water reservoirs or embankments.” The term is etymologically connected to “tayammum” (the ritual dry ablution performed when water is unavailable), both deriving from the root meaning “to aim for or turn toward.”
The history of dams dates back about 5,000 years. The first dams were built in the Kayr region of Egypt, where water was collected during flood seasons. The Greek historian Herodotus described a dam on the Nile that was 12 meters high and 108 meters long as one of the wonders of the world. The Sadd-el-Kafara dam, constructed around 2950–2750 BCE, is also well documented.
Conceptual Background
BAHR (بَحْر):
Literally meaning “sea” or “large body of water,” it refers to all large waters including rivers, lakes, dams, seas, and oceans—fresh or salty. The root meaning is “to split or part.” The Quran also mentions “bahr” as fresh water (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:53). Ancient Arabic poetry also used “bahr” to refer to rivers like the Euphrates.
YEMM (يَمّ):
Meaning a man-made water reservoir or embankment, derived from the same root as “tayammum” (to aim or turn toward). It especially indicates directing oneself toward water.
Related Quranic Verses
Surah Ta-Ha 77–79:
“And We inspired to Moses, ‘Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea. But Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, ‘I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.’ Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.’”
Here, “dry path” implies a dried-up seabed or riverbed. The context suggests that Moses led his people along natural water control systems (like dam channels) at night, making the event appear in line with man-made flood controls.
Surah Ash-Shu’ara 63:
“And We inspired to Moses, ‘Strike with your staff the sea,’ and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.”
The word translated as “parted” (infilak) means to split or break apart violently. The description emphasizes that the sea split into two huge masses, described as “like a mountain” (كَالطَّوْدِ). Many translations miss the nuance that “ṭawd” is distinct from “mountains” mentioned elsewhere (like in Surah Hud 42), indicating a different imagery or metaphor.
Surah Ad-Dukhan 23–24:
“Travel by night with My servants; indeed, you will be pursued. Then the sea will cover them while they are sinking.”
The word “rehv” here carries meanings of both calmness and swift movement, implying the sea flowed over them powerfully.
The Time Dimension in the Quranic Story of Moses and Pharaoh
The Quranic narrative indicates the struggle between Moses and Pharaoh was not a single night event but a long-term social and spiritual conflict. Surah Al-Qasas 14 mentions Moses was called to prophethood at a mature age, and Surah Al-Ahqaf 15 specifies this age as forty.
Surah Ash-Shu’ara 18–19:
“[Pharaoh] said, ‘Did we not raise you among us as a child? And you spent years of your life here, so why do you not remember?’”
Pharaoh’s words aim to depict Moses as a traitor despite his upbringing in Pharaoh’s household. God reassures Moses not to fear or consider his mission ungratefulness.
Conclusion
The Quranic verses collectively suggest Moses delivered his people from Pharaoh’s hands through water management systems, such as dams and flood controls, which also led to Pharaoh’s demise. The semantic richness of words like bahr (large water bodies), yemm (man-made reservoirs), and expressions describing the water splitting show the event could be understood both as a miraculous and a natural disaster-like occurrence.
DISCLAIMER
The views and interpretations expressed here are human efforts. Please always evaluate every statement within the holistic context of the Quran, measure and verify with the guidance of the verses. The ultimate criterion of truth is Allah’s Book. Any mistake is our own; all correctness belongs to Allah.
