ON RECENT INVESTIGATIONS IN MOAB AND EDOM. Bil 
with him that the Wadi el-Ithm is the valley that the Israelites 
were obliged to traverse in order to get up out of the Arabah 
valley when they were forced to return southward again after 
being refused passage by the King of Moab. That was the only 
valley by which they could ascend to the tableland of Edom, 
and it is not to be wondered at that in consequence of that 
journey it is stated that the people were seriously discouraged by 
the length of the way. It is a dry valley under an almost 
tropical sun and must have been very trying to the large 
multitude of men, women, ard children. But with regard to 
the route by which the Israelites proposed to traverse Edom. 
I think our party explored what we thought to be the very 
“kine’s highway” by which the Israelites might have passed up 
from the Arabah valley to the tableland of Edom. This valley 
lies to the north of Petra. They had, I think, a well trodden 
road passing up towards the tableland and the one used at the 
present day, I believe, by the pilgrims going from Palestine to 
Mecca. 
Then I would refer to one other point, and that is the lecturer 
mentioned that on the tableland of Edom and Moab the cold is 
very intense in winter. When we were there in the middle of 
winter we saw the whole country forming the tableland covered 
with deep snow, and we found Western Palestine covered deeply 
with snow. But when we were descending from the valley of the 
Arabah into the great depression of the Ghor, as it is called, in 
which the Dead Sea lies, we were surprised to see the whole of 
the plain occupied by the tents of the Bedawin Arabs. They had 
come down from the pasturages of Edom and Moab to the warm 
climate bordering the Lead Sea, where they pastured all their 
flocks and herds in the cold part of the year; and really it is a 
wonderful natural provision by which these Arabs are enabled to 
pass through the severe climate of the winter months. It was a 
very pretty sight that was presented to us. Children came up 
from the camping-ground and arranged themselves in line along 
our pathway as we descended on our camels and saluted us in a 
most cordial and friendly manner. 
Iam sure we are all gratified to learn that there is a prospect 
of another Moabite stone, or something of the kind, when the 
country may be more accessible and opportunity is given to 
travellers to examine it more fully. 
