South
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Song 4:16)—both a direction and, in many biblical passages, a particular region. For the Hebrews “south” could include lands lying between southeast and southwest. The Hebrew Negeb also designated the dry southern district through which the ordinary route passed between central Canaan and Egypt (Gen. 12:9; 13:1-3). The well associated with Hagar and the country of Gerar lay along this southern sphere; Kadesh was at or near its boundary. At the time of Israel’s journey from Egypt, Amalekites occupied parts of it, the king of Arad controlled another portion, and substantial areas later belonged to Judah and Simeon.