Kedemoth is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben. It is referenced in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their subsequent settlement in the Promised Land. The name "Kedemoth" is derived from a root meaning "eastern" or "ancient," which may reflect its geographical or historical significance.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 2:26 : "So I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with an offer of peace." This verse situates Kedemoth in the narrative of Israel's approach to the Promised Land. Moses, leading the Israelites, sends messengers from Kedemoth to Sihon, the Amorite king, seeking peaceful passage through his territory. This diplomatic effort, however, is met with resistance, leading to a confrontation that results in the Israelites' victory over Sihon.

2. Joshua 13:18 : "Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath." In this passage, Kedemoth is listed among the towns in the territory assigned to the tribe of Reuben. This allocation occurs after the conquest of the land east of the Jordan River, which was divided among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

3. 1 Chronicles 6:78 : "Beyond the Jordan, opposite Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath." This verse reiterates the inclusion of Kedemoth in the Levitical cities given to the Merarite clan. The Levites, who were set apart for religious duties, were distributed among the tribes of Israel, and Kedemoth served as one of their cities.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Kedemoth is located in the region historically known as the Transjordan, east of the Jordan River. This area was significant for its strategic position and fertile lands. The Wilderness of Kedemoth, from which Moses sent his envoys, suggests a location that was both a staging ground for the Israelites and a point of contact with neighboring territories.

The allocation of Kedemoth to the tribe of Reuben and its designation as a Levitical city highlight its importance within the tribal and religious structure of ancient Israel. As a Levitical city, Kedemoth would have been a center for religious instruction and worship, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding community.

Theological Significance:

Kedemoth's mention in the context of Israel's journey and settlement underscores themes of divine guidance and provision. The Israelites' interactions with surrounding nations, as seen in the encounter with Sihon, reflect the broader narrative of God's faithfulness in leading His people to the land He promised to their ancestors. The inclusion of Kedemoth as a Levitical city further emphasizes the centrality of worship and the priestly role in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

In summary, Kedemoth serves as a geographical and historical marker within the biblical narrative, illustrating the unfolding of God's plan for His people as they transition from a nomadic existence to a settled nation in the land of Canaan.Kedemoth

antiquity; old age

Kedemoth

(beginnings), one of the towns in the district east of the Dead Sea allotted to the tribe of Reuben, (Joshua 13:18) given by the Merarite Levites. (Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:79) It possibly conferred its name on the "wilderness," or uncultivated pasture land, "of Kedemoth." (Numbers 21:33; 2:26,27) etc.

Kedemoth

A city in the border of Sihon king of Heshbon, whence Moses sent him an embassage of peace. A desert lay near it, De 2:26. It was afterwards a Levitical city of Reuben, Joshua 13:18 21:37.

Beginnings; easternmost, a city of Reuben, assigned to the Levites of the family of Merari (Joshua 13:18). It lay not far north-east of Dibon-gad, east of the Dead Sea. KEDEMOTH

See JAHAZ.

6932. Qedemoth -- a city in Reuben
... Qedemoth or Qedemoth. 6933 . a city in Reuben. Transliteration: Qedemoth or Qedemoth
Phonetic Spelling: (ked-ay-mothe') Short Definition: Kedemoth. ... Kedemoth. ...
/hebrew/6932.htm - 6kKedemoth (4 Occurrences)
... Dead Sea. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KEDEMOTH. See JAHAZ. Multi-Version
Concordance Kedemoth (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 2 ...
/k/kedemoth.htm - 7k

Ked'emoth (4 Occurrences)
Ked'emoth. Kedemoth, Ked'emoth. Kedesh . Multi-Version Concordance Ked'emoth
(4 Occurrences). ... Joshua 13:18 and Jahaz, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath; (See RSV). ...
/k/ked'emoth.htm - 7k

Jahaz (8 Occurrences)
... It is named along with Beth-baal-meon and Kedemoth (Joshua 13:18), with Kedemoth
(Joshua 21:37) pointing to a position in the Southeast of the Amorite territory ...
/j/jahaz.htm - 11k

Mephaath (4 Occurrences)
... meypha`ath, mopha`ath; Codex Vaticanus, Maiphaath, Mephaath): A city of the Amorites
in the territory allotted to Reuben, named with Kedemoth and Kiriathaim ...
/m/mephaath.htm - 8k

Meph'a-ath (3 Occurrences)
... Meph'a-ath (3 Occurrences). Joshua 21:37 Kedemoth with the open land about it, and
Mephaath with the open land about it; four cities. (See RSV). ...
/m/meph'a-ath.htm - 7k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... suburbs; four cities. (See NIV). Joshua 21:37 Kedemoth with its suburbs, and
Mephaath with its suburbs; four cities. (See NIV). Joshua 21 ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). Joshua 21:37 Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its
suburbs; four cities. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21 ...
/s/suburbs.htm - 29k

Pasture (120 Occurrences)
... See NAS RSV). Joshua 21:37 Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with
its suburbs; four cities. (See NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 21:38 ...
/p/pasture.htm - 33k

Ked'emah (2 Occurrences)
Ked'emah. Kedemah, Ked'emah. Kedemoth . Multi-Version Concordance Ked'emah
(2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Kedemah, Ked'emah. Kedemoth . Reference Bible.
/k/ked'emah.htm - 6k

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