Paran

A mountain in the wilderness of Paran.

About Paran

Desert region in the northeast Sinai Peninsula west of the Arabah (Rift Valley). The settlement of Kadesh-barnea is its northernmost limit. Some scholars identify the great Et-Tih plateau of the central Sinai as a part of this wilderness.

The wilderness of Paran is a wild, arid expanse of tableland, mountains, gorges, and wadis. The lack of water and vegetation made it a most inhospitable place and a stark contrast to the land flowing with milk and honey that was promised to Israel.

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Key References

Numbers 12:16

After that, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

Genesis 21:21

And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Numbers 13:26

and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.

All Scripture References (8)

Genesis (1)
Genesis 21:21

And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Numbers (4)
Numbers 10:12

and the Israelites set out from the Wilderness of Sinai, traveling from place to place until the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 12:16

After that, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 13:3

So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites,

Numbers 13:26

and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.

Deuteronomy (1)
Deuteronomy 1:1

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan—in the Arabah opposite Suph—between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

1 Samuel (1)
1 Samuel 25:1

When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

1 Kings (1)
1 Kings 11:18

Hadad and his men set out from Midian and went to Paran. They took men from Paran with them and went to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house and land and provided him with food.