Bible Questions and Answer

In the Bible, Arabia generally means the desert lands east and south of Israel, including the Arabian Peninsula and the regions east of the Jordan. The Old Testament mentions Arabian kings bringing gold and spices to Solomon, and the Queen of Sheba came from southern Arabia. Arab traders dealt in incense, livestock and precious goods, and Arabs were among those who brought tribute to King Jehoshaphat. In the New Testament, Arabs were in Jerusalem at Pentecost. After his conversion, Paul says he "went into Arabia" before returning to Damascus. This probably means the Nabataean kingdom, which controlled much of the land east and south of Israel, with its capital at Petra. Its king, Aretas IV, is mentioned by Paul, who says the governor under Aretas guarded Damascus to arrest him. We don't know what Paul did in Arabia, whether he preached or spent time in quiet reflection. Paul also says Mount Sinai is "in Arabia."