Lexical Summary El Paran: El Paran Original Word: אֵיל פָּארָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance El-paran From 'ayil and Pa'ran; oak of Paran; El- Paran, a portion of the district of Paran -- El-paran. see HEBREW 'ayil see HEBREW Pa'ran NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ayil and Paran Definition "terebinth of Paran," a city and harbor on the Red Sea NASB Translation El-paran (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֵיל מָּארָן proper name, of a location (terebinth (or palm ? see Di) of Paran) town & harbour at head of lanitic Gulf Genesis 14:6 (see Di); = אֵלָה Genesis 36:41; אֵילַת Deuteronomy 2:8; 2 Kings 14:22; 2 Kings 16:6; אֵילוֺת 1 Kings 9:26; 2 Kings 16:6; close to Ezion Geber (see עֶצְיוֺן גֶּבֶר). Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning El-Paran combines the Hebrew noun אֵיל (ayil, “terebinth” or “mighty tree,” sometimes serving as a landmark) with פָּארָן (Paran, “abounding in foliage” or “desert of Paran”). The name therefore signifies “Terebinth of Paran,” describing a notable tree or grove that marked the edge of the Paran wilderness. Biblical Occurrence Genesis 14:6 is the single explicit mention: “and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the wilderness.” (Berean Standard Bible) Here El-Paran marks the southern‐eastern limit of the campaign of Chedorlaomer and his confederate kings before Abram’s pursuit to rescue Lot (Genesis 14:14–16). Geographical Setting 1. Borders: Located at the junction of Mount Seir (Edom) and the northern reaches of the Wilderness of Paran, the site functioned as a natural border marker between cultivated hill country and open desert. Historical Context Genesis 14 records the earliest biblical reference to international warfare. Chedorlaomer’s eastern coalition subdued peoples from Mesopotamia to the Gulf of Aqaba, including the Horites of Seir. El-Paran marks both the reach of that conquest and the region from which Abram mobilized in faith to rescue Lot, underscoring God’s providence over expanding empires and His covenant servant alike. Connections to the Wilderness of Paran Although El-Paran itself appears only once, the surrounding wilderness becomes pivotal later: Thus El-Paran introduces a region that repeatedly serves as a place of testing, preparation, and divine encounter. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Boundary of Dominion: The landmark emphasizes God’s sovereignty over national borders. Abram’s victory that soon follows (Genesis 14:17–20) anticipates the promise that his offspring will possess the gate of their enemies (Genesis 22:17). Typological and Prophetic Aspects The terebinth at the edge of the desert foreshadows the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), life springing forth where none is expected. The victory secured after the campaign terminating at El-Paran prefigures Christ’s triumph over principalities that would enslave His people. Practical Applications for Faith and Ministry • Landmarks of Memory: Just as El-Paran reminded travelers of past conflicts and deliverances, believers preserve testimonies of God’s faithfulness for coming generations. Summary El-Paran, the “Terebinth of Paran,” stands at the confluence of fertile hill country and arid wilderness, marking the furthest advance of invading kings in Genesis 14 and framing Abram’s decisive response of faith. Though mentioned only once, it opens a window onto the Wilderness of Paran—a theater of divine testing, revelation, and victory that echoes throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to trust God at every frontier between comfort and calling. Forms and Transliterations פָּארָ֔ן פארן pā·rān paRan pārānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:6 HEB: עַ֚ד אֵ֣יל פָּארָ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־ NAS: as far as El-paran, which KJV: Seir, unto Elparan, which [is] by INT: Seir far El-paran which which by |
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