Location
Overview
The wilderness of Paran is a vast, arid region of the Sinai peninsula and the southern Negev. It first appears as the home of Ishmael and later as a stage of Israel's journey.
The home of Ishmael
After Hagar and Ishmael were sent away and God provided water in the desert, "God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran" (Genesis 21:20–21).
The kings' campaign
Earlier, the invading eastern kings struck the region "unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness" (Genesis 14:6) on their sweep through the south.
Israel in the wilderness
Generations later Israel camped in Paran after leaving Sinai, and it was from there that the twelve spies were sent into Canaan (Numbers 13:3, 26) — making Paran a place of both refuge and testing.
Events Here
Ishmael grows up and dwells in the wilderness of Paran
Scripture References
11 versesGenesis2 verses
Genesis 14:6
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. Elparan: or, The plain of Paran
Genesis 21:21
And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
Numbers4 verses
Numbers 10:12
And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
Numbers 12:16
And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
Numbers 13:3
And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
Numbers 13:26
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
Deuteronomy2 verses
Deuteronomy 1:1
These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. the Red: or, Zuph
Deuteronomy 33:2
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. a fiery: Heb. a fire of law
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 25:1
And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
1 Kings1 verse
1 Kings 11:18
And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
Habakkuk1 verse
Habakkuk 3:3
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Teman: or, the south
Archaeology & History
Paran is a broad desert region rather than a single site, generally placed in the eastern Sinai and the arid lands south of Canaan toward the Gulf of Aqaba. Its harsh terrain frames the biblical themes of survival, divine provision, and wandering.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Wilderness of Paran
Where is Wilderness of Paran today?
Today, Wilderness of Paran corresponds to Eastern Sinai / southern Negev.
What happened at Wilderness of Paran in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Wilderness of Paran include ishmael grows up and dwells in the wilderness of paran.
Where is Wilderness of Paran first mentioned in the Bible?
Wilderness of Paran is first mentioned in Genesis 14:6.
How often is Wilderness of Paran mentioned in the Bible?
Wilderness of Paran is mentioned in 11 verses across 6 books: Genesis, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, Habakkuk.
Who lived in the wilderness of Paran?
Ishmael grew up there after he and his mother Hagar were sent away from Abraham’s household; he became an archer and dwelt in Paran.
Where is the wilderness of Paran?
A large desert region in the Sinai peninsula and the southern Negev, between Egypt and Canaan.