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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Wasteland</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/w/wasteland.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/numbers/21-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/w/wasteland.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Wasteland</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/w/wastefulness.htm" title="Wastefulness">◄</a> Wasteland <a href="/topical/w/wastelands.htm" title="Wastelands">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In biblical literature, the concept of a wasteland often symbolizes desolation, judgment, and the absence of God's blessing. It is a recurring theme that serves as a backdrop for both physical and spiritual desolation. The imagery of a wasteland is used to convey the consequences of sin, the need for repentance, and the hope of restoration.<br><br><b>Old Testament References</b><br><br>The term "wasteland" is frequently associated with the wilderness experiences of the Israelites. In <a href="/deuteronomy/32-10.htm">Deuteronomy 32:10</a>, the Bible describes God's care for Israel in the wilderness: "He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wasteland; He surrounded him, instructed him, and guarded him as the apple of His eye." Here, the wasteland is a place of testing and divine provision, where God demonstrates His faithfulness despite the harsh conditions.<br><br>The prophets often use the imagery of a wasteland to depict the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness. In <a href="/isaiah/34-9.htm">Isaiah 34:9-11</a>, the judgment upon Edom is described: "Her streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch. It will not be quenched night or day; its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever pass through it again. But the desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and raven will dwell in it. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation." This passage illustrates the transformation of a once-inhabited land into a desolate wasteland as a result of divine judgment.<br><br><b>New Testament Context</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the concept of a wasteland is less prominent but still present. John the Baptist's ministry in the wilderness (<a href="/matthew/3.htm">Matthew 3:1-3</a>) echoes the Old Testament theme of the wasteland as a place of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Lord. The wilderness serves as a backdrop for spiritual renewal and the call to return to God.<br><br><b>Spiritual Significance</b><br><br>The wasteland is not only a physical location but also a metaphor for spiritual barrenness. It represents the state of a soul that is distant from God, lacking the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. In <a href="/ezekiel/36-33.htm">Ezekiel 36:33-35</a>, God promises to restore the land and the people: "This is what the Lord GOD says: 'On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. Then they will say, "This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited."'" This promise of transformation from wasteland to a flourishing garden symbolizes the hope of redemption and renewal through God's intervention.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The imagery of a wasteland underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God. However, it also highlights God's mercy and the possibility of restoration. The transformation of a wasteland into a fruitful land is a powerful testament to God's ability to renew and restore what has been lost.<br><br>In summary, the biblical concept of a wasteland is rich with meaning, serving as a symbol of judgment, a call to repentance, and a promise of hope and restoration. Through the lens of Scripture, the wasteland becomes a place where God's redemptive power is most vividly displayed.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/3452.htm"><span class="l">3452. yeshimon -- waste, wilderness</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from yasham Definition waste, wilderness NASB Word Usage desert (4),<br> desert region (1), Jeshimon (4), <b>wasteland</b> (2), wilderness (2). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/3452.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/augustine/confessions_and_enchiridion/book_two_he_concentrates_here.htm"><span class="l">Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> "I became to myself a <b>wasteland</b>." CHAPTER I. <b>...</b> And I became to myself a <b>wasteland</b>.<br> Footnotes: [40] Yet another Plotinian phrase; cf. Enneads, I, 6, 9:1-2. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/w/wasteland.htm"><span class="l"><b>Wasteland</b> (19 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Wasteland</b> (19 Occurrences). <b>...</b> (See NIV). Psalms 106:14 but<br> gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the <b>wasteland</b>. (WEB NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wasteland.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wanton.htm"><span class="l">Wanton (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> from you." (See RSV). Psalms 106:14 but gave in to craving in the desert,<br> and tested God in the <b>wasteland</b>. (See RSV). Proverbs 9:13 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wanton.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wastelands.htm"><span class="l">Wastelands (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wastelands.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/intensely.htm"><span class="l">Intensely (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Please take her, instead." (See NAS). Psalms 106:14 but gave in to craving<br> in the desert, and tested God in the <b>wasteland</b>. (See NAS). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/intensely.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pruned.htm"><span class="l">Pruned (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> olive tree, (WEY). Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a <b>wasteland</b>. It won't be pruned<br> nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pruned.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/briers.htm"><span class="l">Briers (17 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> is raised up. (YLT). Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a <b>wasteland</b>. It won't be pruned<br> nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/briers.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/brier.htm"><span class="l">Brier (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance Brier (10 Occurrences). Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a <b>wasteland</b>.<br> It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/brier.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/craving.htm"><span class="l">Craving (19 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Their food was yet in their mouths, (Root in WEB JPS RSV). Psalms 106:14 but gave<br> in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the <b>wasteland</b>. (WEB RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/craving.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/craved.htm"><span class="l">Craved (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> their own desire. (See JPS RSV NIV). Psalms 106:14 but gave in to craving<br> in the desert, and tested God in the <b>wasteland</b>. (See NAS). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/craved.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/historical-creationism.html">What is historical creationism? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/lament-in-the-Bible.html">What is a lament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jacob-Esau-love-hate.html">Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/wasteland.htm">Wasteland: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Wasteland (19 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/21-20.htm">Numbers 21:20</a></span><br />and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/23-28.htm">Numbers 23:28</a></span><br />So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, looking down over the waste land.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-24.htm">2 Samuel 2:24</a></span><br />But Joab and Abishai went after Abner: and the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is to the east of the road through the waste land of Geba.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/job/6-18.htm">Job 6:18</a></span><br />The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/job/24-5.htm">Job 24:5</a></span><br />Like asses in the waste land they go out to their work, looking for food with care; from the waste land they get bread for their children.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/job/38-27.htm">Job 38:27</a></span><br />To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/psalms/68-7.htm">Psalms 68:7</a></span><br />O God, when you went out before your people, wandering through the waste land; (Selah.)<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Psalms 78:40</a></span><br />How frequently did they go against him in the waste land, and give him cause for grief in the dry places!<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/psalms/106-14.htm">Psalms 106:14</a></span><br />but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the <span class="boldtext">wasteland</span>.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Isaiah 5:6</a></span><br />I will lay it a <span class="boldtext">wasteland</span>. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it."<br /><span class="source">(WEB NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/32-14.htm">Isaiah 32:14</a></span><br />For the fair houses will have no man living in them; the town which was full of noise will become a waste; the hill and the watchtower will be unpeopled for ever, a joy for the asses of the woods, a place of food for the flocks;<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm">Isaiah 41:19</a></span><br />I will put in the waste land the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive-tree; and in the lowland will be planted the fir-tree, the plane, and the cypress together:<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Isaiah 43:19</a></span><br />See, I am doing a new thing; now it is starting; will you not take note of it? I will even make a way in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a></span><br />The beasts of the field will give me honour, the jackals and the ostriches: because I send out waters in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country, to give drink to the people whom I have taken for myself:<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Jeremiah 12:10</a></span><br />The keepers of sheep have been the destruction of my vine-garden, crushing my heritage under their feet; they have made my fair heritage an unplanted waste;<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11</a></span><br />And all this land hath been for a waste, for an astonishment, and these nations have served the king of Babylon seventy years.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/29-9.htm">Ezekiel 29:9</a></span><br />And the land of Egypt hath been for a desolation and a waste, And they have known that I 'am' Jehovah. Because he said: The flood 'is' mine, and I made 'it'.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Zephaniah 2:9</a></span><br />For this cause, by my life, says the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, truly Moab will become like Sodom and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah, given up to waste plants and salt pools and unpeopled for ever: the rest of my people will take their property, the overflow of my nation will take their heritage.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Malachi 1:3</a></span><br />And Esau was hated, and I sent destruction on his mountains, and gave his heritage to the beasts of the waste land.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/w/wasteland.htm">Wasteland</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wasteland.htm">Wasteland (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wasteness.htm">Wasteness (4 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/w/wastefulness.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Wastefulness"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Wastefulness" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/w/wastelands.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Wastelands"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Wastelands" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>