Wilderness of Paran 1

View of the Wilderness of Paran that is located in the Southern Negev Highlands. The area only receives 2 to 4 in. [50 to 100 mm.] of rainfall (on average).

The Wilderness/Desert of Paran is mentioned 7 times in the Old Testament—in conjunction with Israel's Exodus from Egypt and David's flight from Saul. The Hebrew word used is midbar that does not refer to a sandy desert, but rather to a barren area that is not useful for much of anything save the occasional shepherding of flocks.

Image from the Zondervan Atlas of the Bible, p. 107.