The encampment plain is a 20,000 acre plain located straight east from the base of Mount Sinai, specifically the Jabal Maqla peak of the Jabal Lawz mountain range. Jabal Lawz means the mountain of almonds and Jabal Maqla means the mountain of the quarry. Exodus 19:2 “For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So, Israel camped there before the mountain.” Wildernesses are considered to be large open desert areas. And examining the description in verse 2, the people were in the wilderness and also before the mountain. This would make this open plain fitting with what is described in the Bible.

The Bible speaks about the people having to leave the camp to be with Moses and God at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:16-17 “Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings, and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.” This means the people would have camped all