SIN, WILDERNESS OF (name probably derived from the moon-god Sin).A region on the route of the Hebrews from Egypt to Mt. Sinai. It is usually identified with the plain lying S. of the Ras Abu Zenimeh. Upon the view held in many quarters that Mt. Sinai must be located somewhere in the Negeb, the wilderness of Sin was on the more direct route from Egypt to Kadesh, near to if not identical with the desert of Zin (Num_13:21; Num_20:1; Num_27:14; Num_33:36; Num_34:3, Deu_32:51, Jos_15:1-3). Cf. Zin.
H. L. Willett.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Which Israel reached after leaving the encampment by the Red Sea (Num_33:11). Their next stage was Rephidim. (See EXODUS.) Exo_16:1; Exo_17:1. Sin wilderness is the desert sandstone tract, Debbet er Ramleh, extending across the peninsula from wady Nasb in a S.E. direction between the limestone district of et Tih and the granite of the central formation, Sinai. The journey from Elim, or even from the Red Sea, could be performed in a day. The Egyptians working the copper mines at Sarbut el Khadim would keep the route in good order. Israel moved by detachments; and only at the wilderness of Sin "all the congregation" assembled for the first time. (See PARAN.) Distinct from the wilderness of Zin. (See SIN (1).)
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
See WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.