Bible Dictionary
Desert
In the Bible, a desert or wilderness is generally an uncultivated, sparsely inhabited region that could still provide seasonal pasture. The wilderness was also a setting of testing, judgment, solitude, and divine provision.
Biblical Usage
The wilderness was the setting of Israel’s wanderings, pastoral life, temptation, solitude, judgment, and divine provision. It also symbolizes a people or church deprived of God’s knowledge and a place of persecution and desolation.
Scripture References
Joel 2:22
Exodus 3:1
Genesis 21:14
Genesis 21:21
Exodus 4:27
Exodus 19:2
Joshua 1:4
1 Kings 9:18
1 Samuel 17:28
1 Samuel 26:2
Isaiah 35:1
Isaiah 50:2
Jeremiah 4:11
Matthew 3:3
Matthew 15:33
Luke 15:4
Isaiah 35:6
Joshua 5:10
2 Kings 25:5
Numbers 22:1
Deuteronomy 34:1
Deuteronomy 34:8
2 Samuel 17:16
Numbers 21:20
Psalms 78:40
Psalms 106:14
Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah 43:20
Numbers 23:28
Exodus 23:31
Deuteronomy 11:24
Psalms 9:6
Leviticus 26:34
Psalms 102:6
Isaiah 48:21
Ezekiel 13:4
Isaiah 40:3
Isaiah 27:10
Ezekiel 47:8
Exodus 6:3