Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Location:Paran is a significant desert region mentioned in the Bible, located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the wilderness of Shur to the west and the wilderness of Zin to the east. The exact boundaries of Paran are not clearly defined in the biblical text, but it is generally associated with the area south of Canaan and north of the Sinai Desert.
Biblical References:Paran is first mentioned in the context of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. After being sent away by Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael dwelt in the wilderness of Paran.
Genesis 21:21 states, "And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt."
The wilderness of Paran is also significant in the narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. After leaving Mount Sinai, the Israelites camped in the wilderness of Paran.
Numbers 10:12 records, "And the Israelites set out from the Wilderness of Sinai, traveling from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Wilderness of Paran."
Paran served as a base for the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan.
Numbers 13:3 notes, "So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites."
Historical and Theological Significance:Paran is often associated with themes of testing and divine provision. The wilderness experience of the Israelites, including their time in Paran, is a period marked by God's guidance and sustenance despite the people's frequent disobedience and lack of faith. The sending of the spies from Paran underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's promises.
The region is also mentioned in the context of God's revelation and power.
Deuteronomy 33:2 describes a theophany, "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came with myriads of holy ones, with lightning from His right hand for them."
Prophetic and Poetic References:Paran is referenced in the poetic and prophetic literature of the Bible, often symbolizing God's majestic presence and intervention.
Habakkuk 3:3 states, "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth."
Cultural and Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of Paran remains uncertain, it is traditionally identified with the area around the modern-day desert of Wadi Paran. Archaeological findings in this region have provided insights into the nomadic lifestyle of its ancient inhabitants, consistent with the biblical portrayal of Paran as a wilderness area.
Conclusion:Paran holds a multifaceted role in biblical history, serving as a backdrop for significant events in the lives of Ishmael and the Israelites. It is a place of divine encounter, testing, and revelation, reflecting the broader themes of God's faithfulness and the call to trust in His promises.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Paranbeauty; glory; ornament
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Abounding in foliage, or abounding in caverns, (
Genesis 21:21), a desert tract forming the north-eastern division of the peninsula of Sinai, lying between the `Arabah on the east and the wilderness of Shur on the west. It is intersected in a north-western direction by the Wady el-`Arish. It bears the modern name of Badiet et-Tih, i.e., "the desert of the wanderings." This district, through which the children of Israel wandered, lay three days' march from Sinai (
Numbers 10:12, 33). From Kadesh, in this wilderness, spies (q.v.) were sent to spy the land (
13:3, 26). Here, long afterwards, David found refuge from Saul (
1 Samuel 25:1, 4).
Paran, Mount
Probably the hilly region or upland wilderness on the north of the desert of Paran forming the southern boundary of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 33:2;Habakkuk 3:3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARAN, EL-PARANpa'-ran, (pa'ran, 'el-pa'ran; Pharan):
(1) El-paran (Genesis 14:6) was the point farthest South reached by the kings. Septuagint renders 'el by terebinthos, and reads, "unto the terebinth of Paran." The evidence is slender, but it is not unreasonable to suppose that this is the place elsewhere (Deuteronomy 2:81 Kings 9:26, etc.) called Elath or Eloth ('el with feminine termination), a seaport town which gave its name to the Aelanitic Gulf (modern Gulf of `Aqaba), not far from the wilderness of Paran (2).
(2) Many places named in the narrative of the wanderings lay within the Wilderness of Paran (Numbers 10:12;Numbers 13:21;Numbers 27:14; compare 13:3, 16, etc.). It is identified with the high limestone plateau of Ettih, stretching from the Southwest of the Dead Sea to Sinai along the west side of the Arabah. This wilderness offered hospitality to Ishmael when driven from his father's tent (Genesis 21:21). Hither also came David when bereaved of Samuel's protection (1 Samuel 25:1).
(3) Mount Paran (Deuteronomy 33:2Habakkuk 3:3) may be either Jebel Maqrah, 29 miles South of `Ain Kadis (Kadesh-barnea), and 130 miles North of Sinai (Palmer, Desert of the Exodus, 510); or the higher and more imposing range of mountains West of the Gulf of `Aqaba. This is the more probable if El-paran is rightly identified with Elath.
(4) Some place named Paran would seem to be referred to inDeuteronomy 1:1; but no trace of such a city has yet been found. Paran in1 Kings 11:18 doubtless refers to the district West of the Arabah.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
364. ElParan -- "terebinth ofParan," a city and harbor on the...El
Paran. 363, 364. El
Paran. 365 . "terebinth of
Paran," a city and
harbor on the Red Sea. Transliteration: El
Paran Phonetic
...6290.Paran -- a place in Sinai
... 6289, 6290.Paran. 6291 . a place in Sinai. Transliteration:Paran Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-rawn') Short Definition:Paran. Word...
Library
Chapter xiv
... Qarnayim and the Zuzim at Ham and the Emim in the plain of Qiryathayim; and the
Horites in their mountains, namely those of Seir, as far as ElParan which is...
Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the...
... I. Because Kadesh-barnea was in the desert ofParan, Numbers 12:16, 14:1. But the
Kadesh, whither they came the fortieth year, was in the desert of Zin...
Heralds of the Morning
... 8, 9. And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. "God came
from Teman, and the Holy One from MountParan. His glory...
Heralds of the Morning.
... 454). And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. "God came
from Teman, and the Holy One from MountParan. His glory...
The History after the Flood.
... giants Karnaim, and the strong nations that were with them in their city, and the
Horites of the mountains called Seir, as far as the plain ofParan, which is...
In the Borders of Canaan.
... IN THE BORDERS OF CANAAN. While the host of Israel was in camp atParan, the Lord
told Moses to send men before them into Canaan to spy out the land....
Ode iv.
... give--"GOD shall come from Teman, and the Holy from the thick and shady mountain
ofParan.". [15] 1st ed. reverses the order of the previous two pairs of lines....
Afraid of Giants
... And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the
children of Israel, unto the wilderness ofParan, to Kadesh; and brought back...
Letter Xcvii. To Pammachius and Marcella.
... the wares of the east and send the treasures of Alexandria to Rome: as it is written,
"God shall come from the south and the Holy One from MountParan, even a...
God's Care for the Boy Ishmael
... And Jehovah cared for the boy; and when he grew up, he lived in the wilderness of
Paran and became a bowman. And his mother secured a wife for him from Egypt....
Thesaurus
Paran (11 Occurrences)... Here, long afterwards, David found refuge from Saul (1 Samuel 25:1, 4).
Paran,
Mount.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PARAN, EL-
PARAN.
...El-paran (1 Occurrence)
El-paran. Elparan, El-paran. Elpelet . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARAN, EL-PARAN. pa'-ran, (pa'ran, 'el-pa'ran; Pharan...
Elparan (1 Occurrence)
... Oak ofParan, a place on the edge of the wilderness bordering the territory of the
Horites (Genesis 14:6). This was the farthest point to which Chedorlaomer's...
Hazeroth (5 Occurrences)
... Such like enclosures abound in the wilderness ofParan, which the Israelites
entered after leaving Sinai (Numbers 11:35; 12:16; 33:17, 18)....
Oak (22 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary There are six Hebrew words rendered "oak.". (1.)
`El occurs only in the word El-paran (Genesis 14:6). The LXX....
Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... They took their journey from Kadesh into the deserts ofParan, "by way of the Red
Sea" (Deuteronomy 2:1). (One theory is that during these thirty-eight years...
Zin (9 Occurrences)
... A low palm-tree, the south-eastern corner of the desert et-Tih, the wilderness of
Paran, between the Gulf of Akabah and the head of the Wady Guraiyeh (Numbers...
Aaron (343 Occurrences)
... When Israel had reached Hazeroth, in "the wilderness ofParan," Aaron joined with
his sister Miriam in murmuring against Moses, "because of the Ethiopian woman...
Allowance (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:18 They arose out of Midian, and came toParan; and they took men with
them out ofParan, and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave...
Hadad (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:18 They arose out of Midian, and came toParan; and they took men with
them out ofParan, and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave...
Resources
What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3)? | GotQuestions.orgWas Yahweh originally a Edomite or Canaanite god? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Midian in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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