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Bible Encyclopedias
Shur (2)
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Dr. Trumbull labors at great length (Kadesh-barnea, page 44 sq.) to prove that Shur was the name of a line of fortifications extending from Suez to the Mediterranean; but in that case the word must have taken the article (the Wall), which, on the contrary, it never has. His. etymologies connecting it in this sense with Etham are very forced. That there may have existed some such defences, in the way of forts, Migdol (q.v.) being the principal one, may very well be granted, without supposing a continuous or wall-like series, of which there is no evidence. Nor is the word itself ever used in any such relation. The phrase דֶּרֶךְ שׁוּר (Genesis 16:7), can only mean, in Hebrew idiom, "the way to Shur," like בּוֹאֲךָ שׁוּר (1 Samuel 15:7), or, more exactly, בּוֹאֲךָ שׁוּרָה (1 Samuel 27:8) not "the Wall Road."
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Shur (2)'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​s/shur-2.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.