Is Mt.Sinai in the Bible a volcano?

Question

I've always wondered this.

Answer 1

When Moses fled Egypt in fear for his life, he journeyed to the land of Midian in the Arabian peninsula -- now part of modern-day Saudi Arabia. Here he helped the seven daughters of Jethro, priest of Midian. As a result he was invited to Jethro's home and entered Jethro's employment as a shepherd for his flocks. Eventually he married Zipporah, one of Jethro's daughters, and was blessed with two children.

Toward the end of his 40-year sojourn in Midian, Moses was shepherding Jethro's flock near Mt. Horeb, where he came across a sight that was to change his life forever. Notice the account in Exodus 3: "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the PRIEST OF MIDIAN, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to HOREB, THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD." (Verse 1, RSV). Keep in mind the phrase, "MOUNTAIN OF GOD." "And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed." (Verse 2).

Later on, after leading the Israelites OUT OF EGYPT and crossing the Red Sea, Moses encamped near Mt. Sinai, which, in the biblical account, is termed the "MOUNTAIN OF GOD"! Shortly after arriving in the vicinity, "Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was CAMPED NEAR THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD." (Ex. 18:5).

To further reinforce the identity of Mt. Sinai, the narrative in the Book of Exodus states: "So he [God] said, 'I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: WHEN YOU HAVE BROUGHT THE PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT, YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN' " (Exodus 3:12). This promise to Moses was made from the burning bush while he was tending Jethro's flock in MIDIAN! Clearly, the MOUNTAIN OF GOD IN MIDIAN, where Moses lived for forty years, is the SAME MOUNTAIN OF GOD he led the Israelites to AFTER the Exodus from Egypt!

Answer 2

No it wasn't.

People in the early days are intelligent enough to know a volcano if they see one and they would have said so. People who live in the area would have had recorded its existence - their livelihood depends on their knowledge of the land. And even if it was, Moses would have never survived the heat and the gases.

Edit: 7 hours after the question was posted.
Come on, people! I DO believe in GOD. I am NOT against teaching of the bible and helping people to know it. But could people please have a decency and intelligence to see that this is Yahoo!Answers and NOT a bible class.

Don't take it so seriously. No need to go on about what is Mt Sinai and give us the whole lecture on the wilderness history of the Jews!Just answer the question! All the asker wanted to know if it was possible it was a volcano. She didn't ask why Moses ended up there or what other parts of the bible speak about God's power.

Answer 3

Mount Sinai, is mount Horeb.

Moses may hane never succeeded in the establishment of his somewhat advanced ceremonial worship and in keeping his followers intact for a quarter of a century had it not been for the violent eruption of Horeb (Sinai) during the third week of their worshipful sojourn at its base. The mountain of Yahweh was consumed in fire, and the smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

In view of this cataclysm it is not surprising that Moses could impress upon his brethren the teaching that their God was " mighty, terrible,a devouring fire, fearful, and all powerful."

There is so little on record of the great work of Moses because the Hebrews had no written language at the time of the exodus. The record of the times and doings of Moses was derived from the traditions extant more than 1000 years after the death of the great leader.

Moses feared to proclaim the mercy of Yahweh, preferring to awe his peolple with the fear of the justice of God, saying: " The lord your God is God of Gods, and Lord of Lords , a great GOD, a mighty and terrible God, who regards not man.

Jesus taught a merciful Father

Peace.....

Answer 4

I never heard that. I do know that the mt Sinai we know of today is not the one in the Bible.

Answer 5

nope

it doesnt need a naturalistic explanation... but in the case of sodom and gomorroah the story might have been an earthquake in an oil field...

either way God's hand was in it

Answer 6

No.

All the phenomenon were the result of God's visit to our temporal realm of existence.

You'll find similar phenomenon described, in more or less detail, through the scriptures, whenever God makes an appearance.

The Mt. Sinai cloud also hovered over Jerusalem at the Christian Pentecost, as our Pentecost occurred on the same date the Jews traditionally celebrated Moses' receipt of the Ten Commandments, from God.

All of the signs were not reported, but you can do a little exegesis, and realize that a lot was happening there, at the time, that was never written down.

Act 2:18 And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy.
Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord to come.
Act 2:21 And it shalt come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know:
Act 2:23 This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain.
Act 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it.
Act 2:25 For David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved.
Act 2:26 For this my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Act 2:29 Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David: that he died and was buried; and his sepulchre is with us to this present say.
Act 2:30 Whereas therefore he was a prophet and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne.
Act 2:31 Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell: neither did his flesh see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.

For a complete study on all these phenomenon, from Genesis to Revelation, send me an email with an unrestricted email address, and I'll send it to you, free.

Answer 7

Actually, I don't think that scholars are agreed on what mountain Mt. Sinai actually was.
.

Answer 8

I'm not sure but i don't think so. Also, isn't that where the burning bush was at?

Answer 9

Yes, I am watching the same movie...
but it is now doormet.