5512. Ciyn

Lexical Summary

Ciyn: Sin

Original Word: סִין
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Ciyn
Pronunciation: seen
Phonetic Spelling: (seen)
KJV: Sin
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Sin the name of an Egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Sin

Of uncertain derivation; Sin the name of an Egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining -- Sin.

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. סִין proper name, of a location Sin, i.e. Pelusium, east frontier city of Egypt (Egyptian 'Imt = clay, of which סין is translated (compare Aramaic סְיָן clay), according to Steind^{BAS i. 599}, who compare IIηλούσιον(πηλός = dirt, mud), compare Brugsch^{Dict. Géogr. 1081 ff.}); — Ezekiel 30:15 (ᵐ5 Σαιν accusative), + Ezekiel 30:16, but here Co Toy read plausibly סון, i.e. סְוָן = Syene (see [סְוָן], סְוֵנֵה), ᵐ5 συηνη. — On Pelusium see Bd^{Egypt.4 (1898), 169}.

II. סִין proper name, of a location wilderness between Elim and Sinai, מִדְבַּרסִֿין, according to P, Exodus 16:1; Exodus 17:1; Numbers 33:11; Numbers 3:12; ᵐ5 Σειν, A ᵐ5^L Σιν; compare Eb^{GS 2. 155 ff.} and especially Di^{Exodus 16:1}.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrences and Settings

1. Wilderness of Sin – Exodus 16:1; Exodus 17:1; Numbers 33:11–12
2. Fortress-city of Sin (Pelusium) – Ezekiel 30:15–16

Geographical Profile

• Wilderness of Sin lies “between Elim and Sinai” (Exodus 16:1). The route summary in Numbers 33 places it south of the Red Sea crossing and north-west of Mount Sinai, probably in the coastal plain just inland from the present-day Gulf of Suez.
• The Sin of Ezekiel is Pelusium, the easternmost stronghold of Egypt in the Nile Delta, guarding the land bridge to Canaan. Classical writers call it the “Key of Egypt,” a description that matches Ezekiel’s portrayal of it as a military bastion (Ezekiel 30:15).

Historical Significance

Wilderness of Sin
• Stage five of the Exodus journey. Israel arrives on the 15th day of the second month—exactly one month after leaving Egypt (Exodus 16:1).
• Site of the first gift of manna and quail (Exodus 16:4, 13-15). God’s supernatural provision begins here and continues the remaining forty years.
• Starting point for the march to Rephidim where water from the rock is given (Exodus 17:1-7). Thus the Wilderness of Sin serves as the backdrop for paired miracles of bread and water.
• The itinerary notes in Numbers 33 emphasize the wilderness as a real, traceable route, anchoring the Exodus in verifiable geography rather than myth.

Fortress-city of Sin (Pelusium)
• Mentioned only in Ezekiel’s oracle against Egypt (Ezekiel 30). The prophet names Sin alongside Memphis and Thebes, forecasting judgment on Egypt’s north, middle, and south.
• When Nebuchadnezzar later campaigns against Egypt (about a generation after Ezekiel), Pelusium reportedly surrenders without a fight, matching the prophecy that its “stronghold” would fall easily (Ezekiel 30:15).
• The city’s Greek and Roman history confirms its strategic value; it remained Egypt’s gateway until silting of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile diminished its harbor in late antiquity.

Theological Themes

Provision and Testing

“The people grumbled against Moses,” yet the LORD answers with daily bread (Exodus 16:2-4). The wilderness becomes a classroom where Israel learns to trust God’s sufficiency.

Obedience and Sabbath

At Sin the Sabbath ordinance is formalized: “On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in; it will be twice as much” (Exodus 16:5). The rhythm of six and one, labor and rest, is rooted in divine provision rather than human effort.

Judgment on Proud Fortresses

Sin-Pelusium represents human reliance on military strength. Ezekiel contrasts that confidence with the LORD’s supreme authority: “I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium” (Ezekiel 30:15). What seems impregnable collapses under divine decree.

Typological Reflections

• Manna foreshadows “the true bread from heaven” (John 6:32-35), while water from the rock anticipates the living water offered by Christ (John 4:13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:4). Both provisions commence in the Wilderness of Sin, underscoring the messianic pattern of sustenance in barren places.
• Israel’s lessons in Sin expose the universal temptation to complain when circumstances appear uncertain. Hebrews 3:7-13 cites these events to urge believers toward steadfast faith today.

Ministry Application

1. Expect God’s provision even in transitional “wilderness” seasons. He often supplies resources only after the need is felt.
2. Guard against grumbling; gratitude unlocks awareness of daily mercies.
3. Honor the principle of Sabbath rest. Trust grows when believers cease striving and rely on God’s double-portion grace.
4. Do not place ultimate security in human fortresses, institutions, or economies. Like Pelusium, they stand only so long as the Lord permits.

Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Notes

• Proposed sites for the Wilderness of Sin range from Wadi Tiran to Wadi Sudr. Pottery scatters and ancient travel lanes support a coastal-plain location that fits the Exodus timeline.
• Tell el-Farama, commonly identified with Pelusium, has yielded massive mud-brick walls and Greek inscriptions dating to the Persian period—evidence that the city indeed functioned as a fortress on Egypt’s frontier during the era of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

Summary

Strong’s 5512, סִין, links two distinct places that together highlight God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. In the south-Sin wilderness He provides for His redeemed people; in the northern Sin of Egypt He demonstrates His power to overthrow nations. Both settings call readers to trust, obey, and revere the LORD who rules over deserts and fortresses alike.

Forms and Transliterations

סִ֑ין סִ֔ין סִ֖ין סִ֛ין סִֽין׃ סין סין׃ Sin sîn

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 16:1
HEB: אֶל־ מִדְבַּר־ סִ֔ין אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּין־
NAS: to the wilderness of Sin, which
KJV: unto the wilderness of Sin, which [is] between Elim
INT: to the wilderness of Sin which is between

Exodus 17:1
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל מִמִּדְבַּר־ סִ֛ין לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־
NAS: from the wilderness of Sin, according
KJV: from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys,
INT: of Israel the wilderness of Sin stages according

Numbers 33:11
HEB: וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִדְבַּר־ סִֽין׃
NAS: and camped in the wilderness of Sin.
KJV: and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.
INT: and camped the wilderness of Sin

Numbers 33:12
HEB: וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּר־ סִ֑ין וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדָפְקָֽה׃
NAS: from the wilderness of Sin and camped
KJV: out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped
INT: journeyed the wilderness of Sin and camped Dophkah

Ezekiel 30:15
HEB: חֲמָתִ֔י עַל־ סִ֖ין מָע֣וֹז מִצְרָ֑יִם
NAS: out My wrath on Sin, The stronghold
KJV: my fury upon Sin, the strength
INT: my wrath on Sin the stronghold of Egypt

Ezekiel 30:16
HEB: (תָּחוּל֙ ק) סִ֔ין וְנֹ֖א תִּהְיֶ֣ה
NAS: in Egypt; Sin will writhe
KJV: in Egypt: Sin shall have great
INT: will writhe will writhe Sin Thebes become

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5512
6 Occurrences

sîn — 6 Occ.