The wells of Moses
Maqna is a charming coastal town located on the Gulf of Aqaba that faces Egypt and the Sinai mountains, clearly visible from it. But the town is famous for its wells that witnessed an important episode in the life of the Prophet Moses.
The territory bordering the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba is the ancient land of Madyan (or Midian) whose capital was probably in today’s city of Al-Bada’, where monumental tombs were later sculpted by the Nabatean people. Madyan is the land where Moses spent ten years in voluntary exile after fleeing from Egypt following an altercation with an Egyptian that was beating an Israelite.
Gulf of Aqaba and Sinai Mountains seen from Bir Sa'idani aka Moses Wells (photo: Florent Egal)
It is believed that Moses crossed the Red Sea and arrived in Maqna and went to a well called Bir Al-Sa’idani to drink. There he saw two girls collecting water for their cattle and he offered to help. The girls reported this gentle move to their father, the prophet Shu’ayb, who went to meet Moses, recognized his pure soul, and decided to marry one of his daughters to him. Thus, Moses settled in Madyan and lived there for ten years with his wife and father-in-law.
Later when Moses brought the people out of Egypt through the Red Sea, they are supposed to have reached the land of Madyan at Tayeb Al-Ism which is located just 15 kilometers north of Maqna, and also bears witness to him, as it is called the Valley of Moses.
Bir Sa'idani aka Moses Wells (photo: Florent Egal)
During the first years of Islam an important event took place in Maqna as it was there the troops of the Prophet Mohammed signed a treaty with the people of Judham, the tribe controlling this area that converted to Islam.
Even today there is a well in Maqna where crystal clear water comes out of the ground in several places as if by magic. The well is surrounded by beautiful palm trees and its water runs downhill towards a lush palm grove. On the north of the well is an archeological site that is believed to date back to the early Islamic era.
As the well is located on a hill one kilometer away from the Gulf of Aqaba it offers a stunning viewpoint on the blue waters of the Gulf that separates the ancient land of Madyan from the impressive Sinai mountains that are visible from the well. The road that heads towards Tayeb Al-Ism and runs along the irregular hilly shore with beaches where the blue become turquoise is quite enchanting.
Stream coming from the well watering the palmgrove (photo: Florent Egal)
How to visit Maqna
Maqna is accessible by road and both locations of the town and the well of Bir Sa'idani are available on Google Maps. The wells are referenced as "Well of Moses".
