Places in the Bible Today:

Pau

Data

Translated NamesPai, Pau
Typesettlement
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

2 Possible Identifications

  1. along Wadi Fai (modern): 40% confidence

    1. freight train along Wadi Faialong Wadi Fai

  2. another name for Beth-peor (ancient): less than 10% confidence. It may be:

    1. panorama of ruins at Khirbet Ayun MusaKhirbet Ayun Musa

    2. satellite view of the region around Khirbet el MuhattaKhirbet el Muhatta

    3. satellite view of the region around Tall IktanuTall Iktanu

Verses (2)

Gen-Deut (1)
Gen 36:39
1Sam-Esth (1)
1Chr 1:50

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookPau
OpenBible.info (2007)Pai, Pau
OpenBible.infoa880de2 (Pau)
TIPNRPau@Gen.36.39
UBS Names Databaseot ID_2420
WikidataQ7148806

Sources

  1. Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2013): Pau
  2. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Pau
  3. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2003)
  4. Matthews, Genesis (1996, 2005): 36:36-39 note 46
  5. New Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary (2009)
  6. Wenham, Genesis (1987, 1994): 36:39
  7. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)

Confidence Trends over Time

This chart indicates how confidence in the identifications is changing over time. Each dot (connected by a dotted line) reflects the confidence of an identification over the preceding ten years (e.g., the 2009 dot reflects scholarship from 2000 to 2009), and the corresponding solid line reflects a best-fit line for the identification. Confidences that cluster near or below 0% indicate low confidence. Because of the small dataset, it's best to use this chart for general trends; if one identification is trending much higher than the others (in this case, along Wadi Fai), then you can probably have higher confidence in the identification. This chart only reflects the sources I consulted (listed above), not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Thumbnail Image Credits

Oyoyoy, Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019

About

This page attempts to identify all the possible locations where this biblical place could be. The confidence levels add up to less than 100%, indicating that the modern location is uncertain. It's best to think about the confidences in relative rather than absolute terms. Often they reflect different schools of thought, each confident in their identifications.