Lexical Summary Qedemoth: Kedemoth Original Word: קְדֵמוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kedemoth From qadam; beginnings; Kedemoth, a place in eastern Palestine -- Kedemoth. see HEBREW qadam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qedem Definition a city in Reuben NASB Translation Kedemoth (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְדֵמֹת proper name, of a location in Reuben (Moab) Κεδ(α)μωθ, Καδημωθ, etc.; Joshua 13:18, מ֑וֺת Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:64; hence מִדְבַּר קְדֵמוֺת Deuteronomy 2:26 of contiguous desert; — ׳ק lay north of upper Arnon; not identified; BuhlGeorge. 268 conjecture Umm-er-raƒâƒ, approximately 10 miles east-northeast from Dibon (compare TristrMoab 140ff. BdPal. 3 (1898), 177). Topical Lexicon Geographical Identity Qedemoth was a town situated on the high tableland east of the Jordan River in the ancient region of Moab. Nestled not far from the Arnon Gorge, it lay along the main north–south route that linked the desert interior with the King’s Highway and the settled areas of Heshbon and Medeba. Its name, related to “east” or “ancient,” underscores both its location on Israel’s eastern frontier and its position at a critical gateway between wilderness and cultivated land. Biblical Occurrences and Narrative Setting • Deuteronomy 2:26 introduces “the wilderness of Kedemoth,” the staging area from which Moses dispatched emissaries to Sihon king of the Amorites: “So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace”. The setting highlights Israel’s orderly approach and willingness to negotiate before engaging in warfare. Historical Context During the late wilderness period, Israel had encamped in the plains of Moab after the victories over Sihon and Og. Kedemoth’s wilderness provided both a buffer from hostile powers and a forward base. Its mention signals the point at which Israel’s journey transitioned from nomadic wandering to the conquest and settlement phase. After the land was subdued, Kedemoth formed part of Reuben’s plateau holdings—a fertile yet exposed region facing Moabite territory to the south and east. Levitical Significance As a Merarite city, Kedemoth served as a residence for those charged with transporting and maintaining the tabernacle’s structural components (Numbers 4:29-33). The allocation ensured that even on the Trans-Jordanian side, the ministry of worship, instruction, and judicial counsel remained accessible. The pasturelands attached to Kedemoth supplied livestock for Levitical sustenance and for sacrificial needs, reinforcing the principle that all twelve tribes shared responsibility in supporting the servants of the sanctuary. Theological Themes 1. Peace before conflict: Moses’ peaceful overture from Kedemoth (Deuteronomy 2:26) illustrates the divine preference for reconciliation before righteous warfare, echoing Proverbs 16:7 and Matthew 5:9. Lessons for Today • Strategic obedience: Like Israel’s encampment at Kedemoth, believers are called to position themselves wisely, seeking peace yet prepared for spiritual battle. Summary Qedemoth stands as a modest yet meaningful waypoint in Israel’s story: a place of diplomacy, inheritance, and Levitical service. Its brief appearances weave together themes of peace-seeking, equitable land distribution, and sustained worship, encouraging God’s people to integrate mission, community, and devotion in every “eastern” frontier of life. Forms and Transliterations וּקְדֵמֹ֖ת וקדמת קְדֵמ֔וֹת קְדֵמוֹת֙ קדמות kedeMot qə·ḏê·mō·wṯ qəḏêmōwṯ ū·qə·ḏê·mōṯ ukedeMot ūqəḏêmōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 2:26 HEB: מַלְאָכִים֙ מִמִּדְבַּ֣ר קְדֵמ֔וֹת אֶל־ סִיח֖וֹן NAS: from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon KJV: out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon INT: messengers the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon Joshua 13:18 Joshua 21:37 1 Chronicles 6:79 4 Occurrences |
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