Bible Dictionary
Zered
A torrent valley east of the Dead Sea, where Israel camped before reaching the Arnon. Crossing it marked the end of the wilderness wandering.
Definition
Zered, also called Zared, was a torrent valley or brook where Israel encamped before reaching the Arnon. It ran toward the Dead Sea near its southeastern extremity.
Biblical Usage
Israel crossed the brook Zered at the end of the thirty-eight years of wilderness wandering. The crossing marked the end of that period of judgment and travel.
Historical Background
The exact stream is uncertain. It is often identified with Wady el-‘Achsa, but the supplied material concludes that one of the confluents of Wady Kerak is intended.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
=Zared, luxuriance; willow bush, a brook or valley communicating with the Dead Sea near its southern extremity (Num. 21:12; Deut. 2:14). It is called the “brook of the willows” (Isa. 15:7) and the “river of the wilderness” (Amos 6:14). It has been identified with the Wady el-Aksy.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(osier brook), (2:13,14) or Za’red, (Numbers 21:12) a brook or valley running into the Dead Sea near its southeast corner, which Dr. Robinson with some probability suggests as identical with the Wady el-Ahsy . It lay between Moab and Edom and is the limit of the proper term of the Israelites’ wandering. (2:14)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ze'-red (zeredh; Codex Vaticanus Zaret; Codex Alexandrinus Zare; the King James Version, Zared (Nu 21:12)): This is the nachal or "torrent valley" given as the place where Israel encamped before they reached the Arnon (Nu 21:12). In De 2:13 f, the crossing of the brook Zered marks the end of the 38 years' desert wanderings. It has often been identified with Wady el-`Achsa, which runs up from the southeastern corner of the Dead Sea. A fatal objection to this is that the host had entered the wilderness to the East of Moab before they crossed the Zered (Nu 21:11), while Wady el-`Achsa must have formed the southern boundary of Moab. We may conclude with certainty that one of the confluents of Wady Kerak is intended, but which, it is impossible now to say.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>