The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla
A giant cleft boulder in Saudi Arabia claimed as the rock Moshe struck
Found 1992 — Jim and Penny Caldwell (American expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, early 1990s); later promoted by the Doubting Thomas Research Foundation (Ryan Mauro, 2018+)
Where Al-Bad' area, northwest of Jabal Maqla, Tabuk Province (Saudi Arabia)
Dates from Claimed c. 1446 BCE; geological age far older · Natural rock formation; surrounding features undated · Wilderness wanderings (claimed Rephidim)
Now at Site (open to visitors since 2019 through licensed tour operators)
How The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla was found
The Caldwells photographed and filmed the boulder on private trips into the restricted Jabal al-Lawz area. Bedouin reportedly call the place 'Moses' Water'. It became widely known through the 2018 film 'Finding the Mountain of Moses' and later tour groups.
What it is
A granite boulder roughly 15 m (50 ft) tall, cracked from top to bottom, perched on a rocky hill about 30 m high. The gap is wide enough for a person to stand in. Proponents point to smooth, water-worn-looking channels running down from the split and across the ground below, plus a low stone wall and a C-shaped rock they call altars.
Why it matters for the Bible
This is the single most photographed 'proof' offered for an Arabian Mount Sinai, said to be the rock at Horeb that Moshe (Moses) struck for water. Geologists who have commented explain the crack as ordinary frost-wedging and exfoliation of a granite boulder, and the smooth ground as normal desert flash-flood erosion. No excavation, dating, or professional survey has connected the site to an Israelite camp. It shows how a striking natural feature can become a pilgrimage site without any archaeological evidence.
The Hebrew word: TSOOR
צוּר
צוּר is pronounced TSOOR and means rock, cliff; used of the rock at Horeb and as a title for YHVH (Strong's H6697).
People this discovery connects to
- Moses — מֹשֶׁה (moh-SHEH) — drawn out
Places
- Horeb — חֹרֵב (choh-REV) — dry place, waste
- Rephidim — רְפִידִים (re-fee-DEEM) — resting places, supports
Events
Water from the rock at Rephidim (claimed location)
The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla in Scripture
Exodus 3:1 First mention of Horeb in Scripture.
Exodus 17:6 YHVH tells Moshe to strike the rock at Horeb so water will come out; this is the verse the split rock is said to illustrate.
Psalms 78:15-16 The psalm remembers water gushing from rocks in the wilderness like rivers; proponents cite the erosion channels here.
Questions people ask
What is The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla?
A granite boulder roughly 15 m (50 ft) tall, cracked from top to bottom, perched on a rocky hill about 30 m high. The gap is wide enough for a person to stand in. Proponents point to smooth, water-worn-looking channels running down from the split and across the ground below, plus a low stone wall and a C-shaped rock they call altars.
When was The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla discovered?
It was found in 1992 by Jim and Penny Caldwell (American expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, early 1990s); later promoted by the Doubting Thomas Research Foundation (Ryan Mauro, 2018+), at Al-Bad' area, northwest of Jabal Maqla, Tabuk Province.
Where is The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla today?
Site (open to visitors since 2019 through licensed tour operators).
Which Bible verses does The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla relate to?
Exodus 3:1, Exodus 17:6, Psalms 78:15-16.
Is The 'Split Rock of Horeb' near Jabal Maqla authentic?
A real and impressive natural feature, but the link to Exodus 17 rests only on its appearance. No professional dating or excavation; geologists explain the split and channels by ordinary weathering and flash floods.
Related discoveries
- עַיִןMaqna 'Springs of Moses' (Arabian Elim and Marah claims)Palm-oasis springs on the Gulf of Aqaba offered as the twelve wells of Elim
- מַצֵּבָהThe 'Altar of Moses' and 'Twelve Pillars' at Jabal al-LawzStone structure and column fragments at the mountain's foot, claimed from Exodus 24
- חֹרֵבJebel al-Lawz (Arabian 'Mount Sinai' claim)A popular candidate in Saudi Arabia that specialists do not support
- גְּבוּלThe 'Boundary Markers' around Jabal al-LawzStone cairns claimed as the fence Moshe set around the mountain
- סִיןGabal Sin Bishar (Har-El's Mount Sinai)A low peak in western Sinai proposed by an Israeli geographer
- הַר סִינַיJebel Musa (traditional Mount Sinai)The mountain Christian tradition has honored as Sinai since the 4th century
Sources
- Doubting Thomas Research Foundation, 'The Split Rock and Battlefield at Rephidim'
- Franz, 'Mount Sinai Is NOT Jebel al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia' (Associates for Biblical Research)
- 'The Saudi Sinai: More of the Evidence' (critical review of the geology)
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