in Ancient Geography, a village between Egypt and Arabia Petraea; or, according to Ptolemy, at a promontory situated between the Sinus Heroopolites and Elaniticus of the Red sea; where Ishmael is said to have dwelt. In Hebrew it is Paran, and in most interpreters; Pharan, Septuagint and Vulgate. Pharanite, the people (Ptolemy). Paran or Pharan, the name of the wilderness in its neighbourhood, adjoining to Kadesh.

PHARÆ, in Ancient Geography, a town of Achaia in Peloponnesus, on the river Pherus, 70 stadia from the sea, and to the south of Patrae 150 stadia. Another, of Crete (Pliny); a colony from the Pharæ of Messenia (Stephanus). A third Pharæ, or Phere (Strabo, Ptolemy); Phara, -α, (Polybius); a town of Messenia, on the river Nedo (Strabo); on the north side of the Sinus Menetius, and to the north-west of Abea. Anciently read Pharis in Homer (Pausanias, Statius), though now read Phare. Pharite is the name of the people.