Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PARAN

(Heb. pāʾrān)

A desert region S of Judah, W of Edom, and N of the wilderness of Sinai, and probably encompassing Kadesh-barnea. According to the stories of Israel’s journey through the wilderness, the Israelites went from the wilderness of Sinai to the wilderness of Paran (Num. 10:11-12) via Hazeroth (12:16). Moses then sent out spies from Paran to explore the land of Canaan, and they returned to Kadesh, identifying the two locations (Num. 13:3, 26; in Deut. 1:19-25 the spies are sent out from Kadesh-barnea). In the wilderness itinerary of Num. 33, , Paran is not mentioned and Kadesh is associated with the wilderness of Zin (Num. 33:36); however, the LXX identifies Kadesh with Paran, suggesting a textual corruption in the MT.

Other references to Paran are consistent with the region around Kadesh-barnea (e.g., Gen. 14:6). Ishmael lived in Paran after being banished by Abraham (Gen. 21:21). After Samuel’s death, David obtained his wife Abigail while visiting the region of Paran (2 Sam. 25:1). The Edomite Hadad passed through Paran while fleeing from Midian to Egypt (1 Kgs. 11:18). Two poetic references associate Paran with Yahweh’s southern dwelling, from which he marches to fight Israel’s enemies (Deut. 33:2; Hab. 3:3).

Ronald A. Simkins

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PARAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)