So we went on, away from our brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road from Elath and Ezion-geber. "And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab.

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.

God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal and against the Meunites.

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"

And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poorgo out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.

to whom I have given the arid plain for his home and the salt land for his dwelling place?

It will never be inhabited or lived in for all generations; no Arab will pitch his tent there; no shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.

The oracle concerning Arabia. In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;

Lift up your eyes to the bare heights, and see! Where have you not been ravished? By the waysides you have sat awaiting lovers like an Arab in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your vile whoredom.

all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert;

Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your favored dealers in lambs, rams, and goats; in these they did business with you.

both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.