Jump to: Hitchcock's • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Overview: Kadesh, often referred to as Kadesh-barnea, is a significant location in the biblical narrative, primarily in the Pentateuch. It serves as a pivotal site for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Kadesh is situated in the desert of Zin, near the border of Edom, and is associated with several key events in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Biblical References: Kadesh is mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament. It first appears in Genesis 14:7, where it is referred to as En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh). The site gains prominence in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy. 1. The Spies' Mission: In Numbers 13:26, Kadesh is the location from which Moses sends twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan. The spies return to Kadesh with a report of the land's abundance but also its formidable inhabitants, leading to the Israelites' fear and rebellion against entering the Promised Land. 2. Miriam's Death: Numbers 20:1 records the death of Miriam, Moses' sister, at Kadesh. Her passing marks a significant moment in the wilderness journey, as she was a key figure in the Exodus narrative. 3. Moses Strikes the Rock: At Kadesh, the Israelites grumble due to a lack of water. In response, God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. However, in a moment of frustration, Moses strikes the rock twice with his staff. This act of disobedience results in God forbidding Moses from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12). 4. The Edomite Refusal: From Kadesh, Moses sends messengers to the king of Edom, requesting passage through their land. The Edomites refuse, forcing the Israelites to take a longer route around Edom (Numbers 20:14-21). 5. The Rebellion of Korah: While not directly linked to Kadesh, the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16) occurs during the Israelites' time in the wilderness, with Kadesh serving as a backdrop to the ongoing challenges of leadership and obedience faced by Moses and Aaron. 6. Deuteronomy's Retrospective: In Deuteronomy 1:19-46, Moses recounts the events at Kadesh, emphasizing the Israelites' lack of faith and the resulting 40 years of wandering. Kadesh serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and unbelief. Geographical and Historical Context: Kadesh is located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula, near the modern-day border of Israel and Egypt. Its exact location is debated, but it is generally identified with the site of Ain el-Qudeirat. The area is characterized by its arid climate and sparse vegetation, making it a challenging environment for the Israelites. Theological Significance: Kadesh represents a place of testing and decision for the Israelites. It is a site where faith and obedience are put to the test, and the consequences of rebellion against God's commands are starkly illustrated. The events at Kadesh underscore the importance of trust in God's provision and the dangers of doubt and disobedience. Cultural and Archaeological Insights: While archaeological evidence for Kadesh is limited, the site is significant in understanding the broader context of the Exodus and the wilderness period. The challenges faced by the Israelites at Kadesh reflect the harsh realities of desert life and the reliance on divine intervention for survival. Conclusion: Kadesh remains a symbol of both failure and faith in the biblical narrative. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' struggles and the enduring call to trust in God's promises, even in the face of adversity. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary KadeshEaston's Bible Dictionary Holy, or Kadesh-Barnea, sacred desert of wandering, a place on the south-eastern border of Palestine, about 165 miles from Horeb. It lay in the "wilderness" or "desert of Zin" (Genesis 14:7; Numbers 13:3-26; 14:29-33; 20:1; 27:14), on the border of Edom (20:16). From this place, in compliance with the desire of the people, Moses sent forth "twelve spies" to spy the land. After examining it in all its districts, the spies brought back an evil report, Joshua and Caleb alone giving a good report of the land (13:18-31). Influenced by the discouraging report, the people abandoned all hope of entering into the Promised Land. They remained a considerable time at Kadesh. (see HORMAH; KORAH.) Because of their unbelief, they were condemned by God to wander for thirty-eight years in the wilderness. They took their journey from Kadesh into the deserts of Paran, "by way of the Red Sea" (Deuteronomy 2:1). (One theory is that during these thirty-eight years they remained in and about Kadesh.)At the end of these years of wanderings, the tribes were a second time gathered together at Kadesh. During their stay here at this time Miriam died and was buried. Here the people murmured for want of water, as their forefathers had done formerly at Rephidim; and Moses, irritated by their chidings, "with his rod smote the rock twice," instead of "speaking to the rock before their eyes," as the Lord had commanded him (Comp. Numbers 27:14; Deuteronomy 9:23; Psalm 106:32, 33). Because of this act of his, in which Aaron too was involved, neither of them was to be permitted to set foot within the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12, 24). The king of Edom would not permit them to pass on through his territory, and therefore they commenced an eastward march, and "came unto Mount Hor" (20:22). This place has been identified with `Ain el-Kadeis, about 12 miles east-south-east of Beersheba. (see SPIES.) The sacred city of the Hittites, on the left bank of the Orontes, about 4 miles south of the Lake of Homs. It is identified with the great mound Tell Neby Mendeh, some 50 to 100 feet high, and 400 yards long. On the ruins of the temple of Karnak, in Egypt, has been found an inscription recording the capture of this city by Rameses II. (see PHARAOH.) Here the sculptor "has chiselled in deep work on the stone, with a bold execution of the several parts, the procession of the warriors, the battle before Kadesh, the storming of the fortress, the overthrow of the enemy, and the camp life of the Egyptians." (see HITTITES.) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KADESH ON THE ORONTESo-ron'-tez (in Massoretic Text of 2 Samuel 24:6, under the corrupt form tachtim chodhshi, which should be corrected from the Septuagint (Luc.) reading: eis ten genitive Chettieim Kades, "to the land of the Hittites unto Kadesh," into 'erets ha-chittim qadheshah. Ewald and others, fixing the northern ideal boundary of Israel at the sources of the Jordan, would read "Hermon" for chodhshi, but the conjectures of Thenius and Hitzig of a reference to the northern Kadesh are fully confirmed by the reading given): Kadesh was the southern capital of the Hittites, and was situated on the upper waters of the Orontes, 80 miles North of Damascus. It is now represented by a large mound 5 miles South of what, till the Middle Ages, was called the Lake of Kades, but now the Lake of Homs. Here Thothmes III of Egypt (flourished circa 1650 B.C.), after the battle of Megiddo, met and received hostages from the Assyrians, and here too Rameses II defeated Hatesar, king of the Hittites (circa 1320 B.C.), and concluded with him a treaty, which was formally inscribed on a disk of silver. The incidents of the battle are depicted on the walls of the Ramesseum, and an Egyptian epic records the heroic deeds of Rameses. Under the name Kadytis, it is mentioned as being taken by Pharaoh-necoh (Herodotus ii.159) in 609 B.C. In the only Bible reference (2 Samuel 24:6), it is named as the northern limit of the census made by David. KADESH See KADESH-BARNEA. KADESH IN GALILEE See KEDESH, 3. Strong's Hebrew 6790. Tsin -- a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea... 6789, 6790. Tsin. 6791 . a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea. Transliteration: Tsin Phonetic Spelling: (tseen) Short Definition: Zin. ... /hebrew/6790.htm - 6k 1260. Bered -- a place near Kadesh, also an Ephraimite 5880. En Mishpat -- "spring of judgment," another name for a place ... 6946. Qadesh -- "sacred," a place in the desert 6947. Qadesh Barnea -- a place in the desert 4809. Meribah -- "place of strife," two places in the desert Library Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the ... From Kadesh to the Death of Moses. From Sinai to Kadesh. Author's Preface. Chapter xx Women who Saved a Nation Numbers. The Story of the Grapes from Canaan The Waters of Meribah Canaan Thesaurus Kadesh (30 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Holy, or Kadesh-Barnea, sacred desert of wandering, a place on the south-eastern border of Palestine, about 165 miles from Horeb. ... /k/kadesh.htm - 21k Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences) Meribath-kadesh (4 Occurrences) Meriboth-kadesh (2 Occurrences) Meribah-kadesh (3 Occurrences) Zin (9 Occurrences) Ka'desh-bar'nea (9 Occurrences) Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences) Barnea (10 Occurrences) Meribah (11 Occurrences) Resources What is the significance of Kadesh Barnea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Meribah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Kadesh (30 Occurrences)Genesis 14:7 Genesis 16:14 Genesis 20:1 Numbers 13:26 Numbers 20:1 Numbers 20:14 Numbers 20:16 Numbers 20:22 Numbers 27:14 Numbers 32:8 Numbers 33:36 Numbers 33:37 Numbers 34:4 Deuteronomy 1:2 Deuteronomy 1:19 Deuteronomy 1:46 Deuteronomy 2:14 Deuteronomy 9:23 Deuteronomy 32:51 Deuteronomy 33:2 Joshua 10:41 Joshua 14:6 Joshua 14:7 Joshua 15:3 Judges 11:16 Judges 11:17 2 Samuel 24:6 Psalms 29:8 Ezekiel 47:19 Ezekiel 48:28 Subtopics Kadesh: A City on the Southern Boundary of Palestine Kadesh: Abraham Lives Beside the Wells Nearby Kadesh: Canaanites Defeated At Kadesh: Struck Down by Chedorlaomer Related Terms Meribath-kadesh (4 Occurrences) Meriboth-kadesh (2 Occurrences) Meribah-kadesh (3 Occurrences) Ka'desh-bar'nea (9 Occurrences) Meribath-ka'desh (2 Occurrences) |
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