### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Çîyn**, represented by `{{H5512}}`, refers to a proper name. According to its definition, it is "Sin the name of an Egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining". It appears **6 times** in **6 unique verses**. This name marks both a significant location in Israel's wilderness journey and a city subject to divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H5512}}` is primarily identified as the "wilderness of Sin," a key location during the Israelite exodus. The congregation of Israel arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving Egypt [[Exodus 16:1]]. It served as a waypoint from which they continued their journeys according to God's command [[Exodus 17:1]]. The name also appears in prophecy, where Sin is identified as "the strength of Egypt" destined to receive God's fury [[Ezekiel 30:15]]. It is foretold that Sin will "have great pain" as part of a judgment that will cause distress throughout Egypt [[Ezekiel 30:16]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the use of Sin as a location:
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (wilderness): Defined as "a desert... wilderness," this word is intrinsically linked to `{{H5512}}`. In four of its six occurrences, Sin is explicitly called the "**wilderness** of Sin," establishing it as a desolate region in the journey of the Israelites [[Numbers 33:11]].
* `{{H5265}}` **nâçaʻ** (to journey): This root word means to "start on a journey" or "remove." It describes the movement of the Israelites both to and from the wilderness of Sin, highlighting this location as a specific stage in their travels [[Numbers 33:12]].
* `{{H5712}}` **ʻêdâh** (congregation): Meaning an "assembly, company, congregation," this term specifies who arrived at the wilderness of Sin. It was "all the **congregation** of the children of Israel" that journeyed there together, emphasizing the collective nature of the event [[Exodus 16:1]].
### Theological Significance
The geographical and prophetic significance of `{{H5512}}` is clear from its usage.
* **A Landmark of the Exodus:** The "wilderness of Sin" is a crucial geographical marker in the Israelites' journey. It is situated between Elim and Sinai [[Exodus 16:1]] and is a recorded encampment after they left the Red Sea [[Numbers 33:11]].
* **A Place of Divine Judgment:** In the prophecies of Ezekiel, Sin is identified as a fortified Egyptian town. Its designation as "the strength of Egypt" underscores the severity of the prophecy that God would pour His fury upon it [[Ezekiel 30:15]].
* **A Stage in Israel's Journey:** The repeated documentation of arriving at and departing from the wilderness of Sin highlights its role as a formal stop in the divinely guided journey of the Israelite people ([[Exodus 17:1]], [[Numbers 33:12]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5512}}` **Çîyn** is a name with a dual identity in scripture. It is both the "wilderness of Sin," a significant stop for the entire congregation of Israel during their exodus, and Sin, a notable Egyptian city targeted for divine judgment. Its appearances frame it as a place of transition for Israel and a symbol of earthly power destined to fall.
TRV