Location
Overview
The wilderness of Zin — not to be confused with the wilderness of Sin nearer Egypt — lay along the southern frontier of Canaan and contained Kadesh-barnea.
The edge of the land
It was "the wilderness of Zin" that the spies entered first as they went up to search the land (Numbers 13:21), and it marked the southern boundary of the inheritance: "your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin" (Numbers 34:3).
The waters of Meribah
Here, at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, Israel quarrelled for water and Moses failed to honour God before the people — "ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water" (Numbers 27:14).
A border for the tribes
The wilderness of Zin remained the formal southern limit of the land allotted to Israel (Joshua 15:1), a stretch of harsh desert framing the edge of the promise.
Events Here
The spies enter the wilderness of Zin to search the land
Scripture References
9 versesNumbers6 verses
Numbers 13:21
So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
Numbers 27:14
For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Numbers 33:36
And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh.
Numbers 34:3
Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:
Numbers 34:4
And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 32:51
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Meribah-Kadesh: or, strife at Kadesh
Joshua2 verses
Joshua 15:1
This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.
Joshua 15:3
And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa: Maalehacrebbim: or, the going up to Acrabbim
Archaeology & History
The wilderness of Zin corresponds broadly to the arid highlands and canyons of the northern Negev around Wadi Zin, on the approaches to the Arabah. It is distinct from the wilderness of Sin (between Elim and Sinai), though the similar English spellings often cause confusion.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Wilderness of Zin
Where is Wilderness of Zin today?
Today, Wilderness of Zin corresponds to Northern Negev / Wadi Zin, Israel.
What happened at Wilderness of Zin in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Wilderness of Zin include the spies enter the wilderness of zin to search the land.
Where is Wilderness of Zin first mentioned in the Bible?
Wilderness of Zin is first mentioned in Numbers 13:21.
How often is Wilderness of Zin mentioned in the Bible?
Wilderness of Zin is mentioned in 9 verses across 3 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua.
Is the wilderness of Zin the same as the wilderness of Sin?
No. The wilderness of Zin is on the southern border of Canaan (around Kadesh); the wilderness of Sin is near Egypt, between Elim and Sinai. They are different places with similar English spellings.
Why is the wilderness of Zin important?
It held Kadesh-barnea and the waters of Meribah, and it formed the southern boundary of the Promised Land.