The Euphrates as a Boundary of Time
In the Bible, the Euphrates River is sometimes used to mark the end of times, especially in first-century apocalyptic writings.
In the Book of Revelation, there are mentions of the Euphrates playing a role in the end of the world. In Revelation 9:14, four angels are bound at the Euphrates River, and they will be released when the end is near. In Revelation 16:12, another angel dries up the river to prepare for the kings of the east Togarmah.
Similarly, in the Book of 4 Ezra (13:39-47), the waters of the Euphrates are stopped, and the lost tribes of Israel will return to the land of Israel at the end times. In 2 Baruch 77, the lost tribes live across the Euphrates River until the end of the world. Baruch, a Biblical figure, sends letters to the Jews in Babylon, encouraging them to keep the law. For the Jews beyond the Euphrates, he uses an eagle as a messenger, which symbolizes crossing a time boundary to reach the lost tribes.
So, the Euphrates not only marks a physical boundary but also represents a boundary of time in these prophetic texts.
Tigris River (Dicle)
Geography and Importance of the Tigris
The Tigris River is another important river mentioned in the Bible. It is one of the four rivers in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:14). The Hebrew name for the Tigris is Hiddekel Daily Istanbul Tours.
The Tigris is a long river that flows almost parallel to the Euphrates. It begins in Turkey, flows through Syria and Iraq, and ends in the Persian Gulf. The area between the Euphrates and the Tigris is called Mesopotamia. The Tigris flows faster and has more water than the Euphrates.
Historical Significance of the Tigris
Several important ancient cities were located along the Tigris. For example, Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and the cities of Calah and Ashur thrived along its banks.
In the Bible, Daniel had a vision while standing on the bank of the Tigris (Daniel 10:4-8). An angel gave Daniel prophecies, which are recorded in chapters 11 and 12 of the Book of Daniel.
The Tigris River is mentioned in two places in the Bible: Genesis 2:14 and Daniel 10:4.
