Lexical Summary Paran: Paran Original Word: פָארָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Paran From pa'ar; ornamental; Paran, a desert of Arabia -- Paran. see HEBREW pa'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as porah Definition a place in Sinai NASB Translation Paran (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָּארָן proper name, of a location Paran, Φαραν (compare proper name פארן Sinaitic Inscription); — usually ׳מִדְבַּר פ home of Ishmael Genesis 21:21 (E), traversed by Israel in Exodus Numbers 12:16 (E), Numbers 10:12; Numbers 13:2,26 (all P); it lay northeast from (the traditional) Sinai, with Gulf of Akaba and the ± Arabah as its east border; in the same region was ׳הַר פ Deuteronomy 33:2; Habakkuk 3:3, — perhaps coast-range of mountains along west shore of Gulf of Akaba; ׳פ alone 1 Kings 11:18 (twice in verse) (between Midian and Egypt); Deuteronomy 1:1 (location dubious). — 1 Samuel 25:1 see II. מָעוֺן below עון. — See RobBR i, 177 f. PalmerDesert of Exodus, 284 ff., Di DrDt. פגג (√ of following; meaning dubious; Late Hebrew מַּגָּה unripe fig, plural מַּגִּין; so Syriac Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Paran designates a broad wilderness region stretching between the Sinai Peninsula and the northern edge of the Arabian Desert, bounded on the west by the wilderness of Shur and on the east by Edom and Midian. Modern scholars identify its heartland with Wadi Feiran and the neighboring highlands of present-day southwestern Sinai. The terrain is rugged, arid, and studded with wadis that fill briefly during winter rains—ideal for nomadic herding but inhospitable for settled agriculture. Its remoteness made it both a refuge and a place of divine encounter. Occurrences and Historical Episodes Paran is mentioned eleven times in the Old Testament, distributed across the Patriarchal period, the Exodus generation, the early monarchy, and the prophets. 1. Genesis 21:21—After Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away, Ishmael “settled in the wilderness of Paran” and became an archer. Paran thus becomes the first permanent home of Abraham’s firstborn and the cradle of several Arab tribes (cf. Genesis 25:12-18). Paran in the Abrahamic Narrative The settlement of Ishmael in Paran fulfills the promise that he would become “a great nation” (Genesis 21:18). The wilderness provides both testing and provision: God hears Hagar’s cry, supplies water, and establishes Ishmael’s line. This early scene foreshadows later wilderness motifs—alienation, divine hearing, and covenant preservation. Israel’s Sojourn and Testing Paran stands at the hinge of Israel’s journey from Sinai to Canaan. From Sinai’s ordered camp (Numbers 10), the Israelites march into Paran under the visible guidance of the cloud. Their sojourn reveals the people’s unbelief (Numbers 13–14) and God’s righteous discipline. The wilderness of Paran therefore becomes a cautionary memorial: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:7-19). Mount Paran and Divine Theophany Deuteronomy 33:2 and Habakkuk 3:3 portray Mount Paran within a triad of sacred mountains—Sinai, Seir, and Paran—from which the Lord manifests His glory. The language is rich with covenant imagery: blazing fire, lightning, and heavenly hosts. These texts anchor God’s self-revelation in geographical history while projecting eschatological hope. In Habakkuk, the theophany anticipates final deliverance, reinforcing that the God who once shook Sinai and Paran will again intervene for His people. David and the Early Monarchy David’s retreat to Paran (1 Samuel 25:1) parallels his earlier stay in the strongholds of Engedi. The wilderness functions as a crucible for Israel’s future king, refining his faith and protecting him from premature confrontation with Saul. The episode that follows—David’s interaction with Nabal and Abigail—occurs in this same region, illustrating how God providentially governs events, even in remote wastelands. Hadad’s flight through Paran (1 Kings 11:18) later contributes to Solomon’s adversaries, a subtle reminder that choices made in the wilderness can reverberate through national history. Prophetic Echoes Habakkuk’s recollection of Paran places the prophet in continuity with Moses. By invoking the Lord’s march from Teman and Paran, Habakkuk assures Judah that the God who once redeemed will again act decisively. The wilderness serves not merely as backdrop but as stage for divine salvation and judgment. Theological Themes 1. Revelation: Paran hosts multiple theophanies, affirming that God reveals Himself in history and geography. Applications for Ministry • Encourage believers facing “wilderness” seasons to remember that God both tests and reveals Himself in barren places. Paran, then, is more than desert. It is a living testimony that the Lord guides, disciplines, and shines forth for the good of His covenant people and the glory of His name. Forms and Transliterations מִפָּארָ֗ן מפארן פָּארָ֑ן פָּארָ֔ן פָּארָ֖ן פָּארָ֧ן פָּארָֽן׃ פארן פארן׃ mip·pā·rān mippaRan mippārān pā·rān paRan pārānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 21:21 HEB: וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר פָּארָ֑ן וַתִּֽקַּֽח־ ל֥וֹ NAS: in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother KJV: in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother INT: lived the wilderness of Paran took and his mother Numbers 10:12 Numbers 12:16 Numbers 13:3 Numbers 13:26 Deuteronomy 1:1 Deuteronomy 33:2 1 Samuel 25:1 1 Kings 11:18 1 Kings 11:18 Habakkuk 3:3 11 Occurrences |
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in Lexicons; Arabic 
unripe fruit; ᵑ7 מַּגָּא unripe grape; compare Post in HastingsDB. 'Fig' TristrNHB 352 Löwp. 391).