Ezion-geber
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(backbone of a man, or of a person generally) — a seaport on the eastern arm of the Red Sea, at its northern extremity, adjoining Elath. It served as one of the camping places for the Israelites during their forty years’ wandering in the wilderness (Num. 33:35, 36). Here Solomon built his merchant fleet (1 Kings 9:26), for which he hired sailors from Tyre (2 Chron. 8:17, 18) for trade with Ophir. The ships of Jehoshaphat were wrecked at this place (1 Kings 22:48). It is said that the presumed ruins of the city can still be seen in the sea at low tide, near Akaba, but this is very doubtful. It is far more likely that the actual site of Ezion-geber lies somewhat inland, in the direction north of the head of the Gulf of Akaba.