Bible Dictionary
Paran
Paran was a large wilderness region south of Canaan and east of the Sinai wilderness. The Israelites traveled through it, spies were sent from Kadesh in Paran, and David later found refuge there.
Definition
Paran was a broad wilderness region forming the northeastern division of the Sinai Peninsula. It lay between the Arabah and the wilderness of Shur and was intersected by the Wady el-‘Arish. The region is associated with Israel’s wilderness journey and with David’s later refuge from Saul.
Biblical Usage
The Israelites traveled through Paran after leaving Sinai. From Kadesh in Paran, spies were sent to examine the land. Much later, David found refuge in this wilderness while fleeing Saul.
Historical Background
Paran lay three days’ march from Sinai and is identified with the modern Badiet et-Tih, meaning “the desert of the wanderings.” Its terrain included foliage and caverns, and the Wady el-‘Arish crossed it in a northwestern direction.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Abounding in foliage, or abounding in caverns, (Gen. 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 (Num. 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 Sam. 25:1, 4).