צִן (tsin)
tsin
Zin
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun tsin refers to Zin, a specific region of the wilderness situated between the Dead Sea and the Arabah valley. Lexical sources describe this area as flat desert terrain, distinct from the rugged mountains nearby. It is best known in Scripture as the location of Kadesh-barnea, the base camp where the Israelites spent much of their forty years of wandering before entering the Promised Land.
This word appears nine times across the Old Testament, primarily in Numbers and Joshua, with a mention in Deuteronomy. These references usually mark geographical boundaries or recount historical events tied to that desert zone. By naming the place tsin, the text anchors the narrative in a real, physical landscape rather than an abstract concept, grounding the Israelites' journey in the harsh reality of the flat, arid wilderness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Zin marks a specific stretch of flat desert between the Dead Sea and the Arabah valley. It served as the base camp for Kadesh-barnea, where the Israelites spent much of their forty years of wandering. This location anchors the biblical narrative in a real, physical landscape rather than an abstract concept.
The harsh reality of this arid wilderness grounds the story of God’s people. It reminds us that faith journeys often involve long seasons of waiting and testing in difficult places. The text uses Zin to show that God’s presence was with Israel even in the most barren terrain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zin8×
- Zin/ towards2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צִ֖ן2×
- צִ֔נָ/ה2×
- צִן֙1×
- צִֽן\׃\ \פ1×
- צִ֥ן1×
- צִ֛ן1×
- צִ֗ן1×
- צִ֑ן1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 20:1
The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there.
This verse marks the arrival at Kadesh in Zin, noting Miriam's death and burial there.
-
Numbers 27:14
because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
It references the rebellion at the waters of Meribah in Zin as a reason for Moses' restriction from the land.
-
Joshua 15:1
The lot for the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families was to the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the uttermost part of the south.
This verse defines the southern border of Judah's inheritance, extending to the wilderness of Zin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zin mean in the Bible?
Where does Zin appear in Scripture?
Why is Zin significant for understanding Israel's journey?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 3 books)
Numbers 6 verses
So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath.
Numbers 20:1The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people…
Numbers 27:14because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy…
Numbers 33:36They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Numbers 34:3then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be…
Numbers 34:4Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it shall pass southward of…