Word Study for H3452 (יְשִׁימוֹן)

yᵉshîymôwn /yesh-ee-mone'/ Ask about this word

Meaninga desolation

KJV usagedesert, Jeshimon, solitary, wilderness.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yᵉshîymôwn — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yᵉshîymôwn, represented by H3452, denotes a desolation or desert. Based on its root, it conveys a sense of waste and solitude. It appears 13 times across 13 unique verses in the Bible, often translated as desert, wilderness, solitary, or as the proper name Jeshimon.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H3452 is used to describe both specific geographical locations and symbolic landscapes of trial and redemption. It appears as the proper name Jeshimon, a landmark in the narratives of Balaam and David (Numbers 21:20; 1 Samuel 23:19). The term also characterizes the desolate environment where the Israelites tested God (Psalms 78:40; Psalms 106:14) and "wandered... in a solitary way" Psalms 107:4. Conversely, this same desolation becomes the backdrop for God's miraculous provision, where He promises to make "rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 43:20).

Related Words & Concepts

Several other Hebrew words for desolate places are used in conjunction with H3452, enriching its meaning:

H4057 midbâr (wilderness, desert): This word is frequently paired with H3452 to emphasize the bleakness of the setting. God promises to make a way "in the wilderness H4057, and rivers in the desert H3452" Isaiah 43:19.
H8414 tôhûw (a desolation, waste): This term highlights a state of formless emptiness. Its use in Deuteronomy 32:10 describes the wilderness H3452 as a "waste H8414" place, connecting the physical desolation to a sense of profound emptiness.
H1870 derek (a road, way): This word for a path or journey often appears in contrast to the pathless nature of the desert. The Israelites "wandered in the wilderness in a solitary H3452 way H1870" Psalms 107:4, illustrating their aimlessness without divine guidance.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3452 is centered on the wilderness as a dual-faceted environment.

A Place of Trial and Rebellion: The "desert" is where the faithlessness of God's people is exposed. They "provoke him in the wilderness" and "grieve him in the desert" Psalms 78:40, and they "tempted God in the desert" Psalms 106:14.
A Place of Divine Care: Despite Israel's rebellion, the wilderness is where God's providence is most apparent. He found His people in a "waste howling wilderness" and "kept him as the apple of his eye" Deuteronomy 32:10. It is the place through which God himself marches with His people Psalms 68:7.
A Stage for Miraculous Transformation: The desolation of the H3452 becomes the canvas for God's creative power. He promises to do a "new thing" by making "rivers in the desert" to give drink to His chosen people Isaiah 43:19-20.

Summary

In summary, H3452 yᵉshîymôwn is a powerful term that defines more than just a geographical landscape. It serves as both a literal place, Jeshimon, and a profound symbol. It represents the desolate condition of wandering and rebellion, yet it is precisely in this solitary and waste place that God demonstrates His most intimate care, miraculous provision, and transformative power, turning desolation into a source of life.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 13 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

ישִׁימוֹן
יְשִׁימוֹן
ישִׁימוֹן

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 13 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Samuel and Psalms (4 verses each); never once in the other 34.

Numbers

Deuteronomy

1 Samuel

Psalms

Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.