Psalm 107:4–5 – Is there any concrete historical or archaeological evidence for wandering in desert wastes with no city to dwell in?

Scriptural Context and Quotation

Psalm 107:4–5 poetically captures a scene of desperate need: “Some wandered in desert wastelands… They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted.” This description evokes images of travelers unable to find basic necessities or a settled dwelling place.

Nomadic Life in the Ancient Near East

Wandering in desert regions without a permanent city is historically and archaeologically consistent with the realities of nomadic peoples in the ancient Near East. Tribes such as the Amorites, Midianites, and various Semitic groups moved seasonally, grazing livestock in arid zones. These migrations often occurred between temporary encampments rather than walled cities, documented in Egyptian texts referring to “Shasu” nomads (ca. 15th–13th century BC) who traversed the Sinai and surrounding deserts for pasture.

Evidence of Desert Migration

Archaeological evidence for nomadic life is more subtle than that of fortified towns. Nomads used perishable materials—goat-hair tents and few durable structures—so their cultural footprints can be faint. Yet scholars have uncovered scattered remnants:

• Small concentrations of pottery sherds in traditionally recognized migration corridors (e.g., near Kadesh Barnea in the northern Sinai).

• Occasional campsite debris marked by simple fire pits or stone circles, consistent with pastoral movements.

• Ancient inscriptions suggesting sojourns through desert routes, such as graffiti on Egyptian mining site walls where nomadic laborers left brief records of their presence.

Biblical Parallels in the Exodus Narrative

The Pentateuch gives the most extended account of desert wandering: the journey from Egypt through the Sinai Peninsula. Though this period (traditionally dated to the 15th or 13th century BC) is still debated by some scholars, numerous studies by Egyptologists (e.g., James K. Hoffmeier, Kenneth A. Kitchen) point to feasible avenues of desert travel consistent with living in “desert wastelands” without established cities. These lines of evidence include historical references to foreign laborers departing Egypt and Egyptian frontier fortifications designed to monitor nomadic traffic, suggesting the region was indeed traversable by large groups.

Importance of Seasonal Settlements

Not all people desired or required a walled city in the ancient world. Many relied on fertile grazing during the cooler season and moved to better-watered regions in the rainy months. Painted tomb scenes and administrative documents from Iron Age sites near the Levant reference flocks and herders passing through. Such sources show that city-based living was not universal; a significant portion of the population lived in tents and frequently relocated, mirroring the imagery of Psalm 107:4–5.

Archaeological Challenges

Confirming specific biblical events like the exact trek described in Psalm 107 can be difficult because:

1. Ephemeral Materials: Tent fabric, wooden poles, and woven baskets typically do not survive for millennia.

2. Scarce Settlement Traces: Nomadic groups left fewer artifacts than city dwellers.

3. Multiple Potential Routes: Deserts in that region have seen countless travelers over centuries, making it difficult to attribute findings to a single group or event.

Still, the existence of widespread nomadic life and evidence of ancient routes used by migrating pastoralists underscores the plausibility of circumstances described in Psalm 107. Such wanderers often “found no city to dwell in,” reflecting a pattern of temporary living spaces rather than fixed urban settlements.

Literary and Historical Consistency

Psalm 107’s reference to desert wandering aligns with broader scriptural accounts of displacement and reliance on divine intervention (e.g., the Israelites’ experiences recorded in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Consistency also appears in other ancient Near Eastern literature that notes itinerant populations. The biblical emphasis on God’s deliverance of those in distress resonates with the region’s historical context, where survival in harsh deserts often hinged on uncontrollable factors like oasis water levels and safe passage through tribal territories.

Conclusion

While desert nomads leave fewer archaeological footprints compared to settled urban populations, the wider historical and archaeological record does confirm that people moved through desert wastelands without permanent cities. The psalmist’s depiction stands in harmony with what we know about ancient Near Eastern wanderers who endured hunger, thirst, and hardship along desolate routes.

Psalm 107’s portrayal of desert wandering remains credible in light of documented nomadic traditions, the nature of temporary encampments, and the textual references from neighboring cultures. These converging lines of evidence support the scriptural imagery of aimless, desperate travel through inhospitable regions—emphasizing how the faithful God offers rescue to those who cry out in their need.