Lexical Summary Qadesh: Kadesh Original Word: קָדֵשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kadesh The same as qadesh; sanctuary; Kadesh, a place in the Desert -- Kadesh. Compare Qadesh Barnea'. see HEBREW qadesh see HEBREW Qadesh Barnea' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qodesh Definition "sacred," a place in the desert NASB Translation Kadesh (15), Meribah-kadesh* (1), Meribath-kadesh* (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. קָדֵשׁ proper name, of a location (sacred; but perhaps originally קֶדֶשׁ and pointing artificial to distinguish from ׳ק in N); — 1 Καδης: in south of Judah Genesis 16:14 (J), Genesis 20:1 (E), in מִדְבַּר מָּארָן Numbers 13:26 (P), specifically צִן ׳מ Numbers 20:1; Numbers 33:36, compare קָדֵשׁ ׳מ Psalm 29:8; on western border of Edom Numbers 20:16 (E), Numbers 33:37 (P), compare Numbers 20:14 (E), Numbers 20:22 (P), Judges 11:16,17 (hence RobBR ii. 175, 194 sought it at `Ain Weibeh, in west of Arabah); long adobe of Israel during Exodus. Deuteronomy 1:46; ׳מֵי מְרִיבַת ק Numbers 27:14 (compare Numbers 20:1-13), Deuteronomy 32:51 (P), Ezekiel 47:19 (read מְרִיבַת), Ezekiel 48:28, compare Deuteronomy 33:2 (see קֹדֶשׁ near the end); compare עֵין מִשְׁמָּט Genesis 14:7; = בַּרְנֵעַ ׳ק (meaning of ׳ב unknown; ᵐ5 Kings (τοῦ) βαρνη); — Numbers 32:8 (J), Deuteronomy 1:2,19; Deuteronomy 2:14; Deuteronomy 9:23; Joshua 10:41 (D), Numbers 34:4; Joshua 15:3 (P); — modern ±Ain †adîs (kudais, 2 Hittite capital on the Orontes, north of Damascus, towards Hamath (Egyptian †dš, †dšu, †dše WMMAs.u.Eur.213 ff.); — 2 Samuel 24:6 ᵐ5L We Dr Kit Bu Löhr, reading אֶרֶץ הַחִתִּים קָדֵ֫שָׁה for ᵑ0 תַּחְתִּים חָדְשִׁי ׳א (הַחִתִּים already HiGeschichte. Israel i. 29; קָדֵ֫שָׁה Th, קֶ֫דְשָׁה Klo, of קֶדֶשׁ in Naphtali); HPS doubts. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Kadesh, frequently expanded to Kadesh-barnea, lay on the northwest edge of the Wilderness of Zin, adjoining the northern limit of the Negev and within sight of the mountains of Edom. Two perennial springs, a broad plain for encampment, and a strategic crossroads made it a natural rallying point for nomadic flocks, armies, and caravans. Ezekiel later marks it as a southern border of the restored land (Ezekiel 47:19; Ezekiel 48:28). Early Patriarchal Notices • Genesis 14:7 first identifies the site as “En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh),” linking it to Abraham’s military campaign and suggesting judicial importance (En-mishpat = “spring of judgment”). Kadesh-barnea and the Wilderness Generation 1. Base of Operations for the Twelve Spies – “They returned from scouting out the land… to Kadesh in the Wilderness of Paran” (Numbers 13:26). From here Israel heard the spies’ report, refused to enter Canaan, and incurred the sentence of forty years’ wandering. Boundary Marker of Covenant Possession Kadesh stands repeatedly as the southern border of promise (Numbers 34:4; Ezekiel 47:19). Its placement keeps covenant geography anchored in real soil while testifying that God sets limits to His people’s inheritance. Recollections in Later History • Judges 11:16-17: Jephthah cites Israel’s stay at Kadesh when rehearsing God’s faithfulness to earlier generations. Theological Themes Holiness and Nearness – The very name Kadesh (“holy place”) frames narratives where God reveals His holiness, whether in judgment on faithlessness (Numbers 20:13) or in sustaining mercy (water from the rock). Unbelief versus Obedience – Decisions made at Kadesh changed destinies. The site underscores that proximity to promise is not possession; faith must respond. Leadership Accountability – Moses and Aaron forfeited entrance to Canaan at Meribah-kadesh, demonstrating that spiritual leaders are measured by the same standard they teach. Sovereign Boundaries – Kadesh’s recurring role as a border guards the biblical truth that God Himself parcels land and heritage. Practical Ministry Insights • Spiritual crossroads demand decisive faith; lingering at one’s personal “Kadesh” invites stagnation. Archaeological and Geographic Notes Modern identifications favor ‘Ain Qudeirat or ‘Ain Qadis in the northeastern Sinai. Both contain sizeable Iron Age remains, springs, and defensive structures, consistent with a long-term encampment and later border fortress. Summary Kadesh stands at the intersection of promise, failure, and hope. From Abraham to the prophets it witnesses God’s righteous judgments and sustaining mercy, calling every generation to meet Him in holiness and obedient faith. Forms and Transliterations בְּקָדֵ֑שׁ בְּקָדֵֽשׁ׃ בְקָדֵ֔שׁ בְקָדֵ֖שׁ בקדש בקדש׃ מִקָּדֵ֑שׁ מִקָּדֵ֖שׁ מקדש קָדֵ֑שָׁה קָדֵ֔שׁ קָדֵ֖שׁ קָדֵֽשָׁה׃ קָדֵֽשׁ׃ קדש קדש׃ קדשה קדשה׃ bə·qā·ḏêš ḇə·qā·ḏêš bekaDesh bəqāḏêš ḇəqāḏêš kaDesh kaDeshah mikkaDesh miq·qā·ḏêš miqqāḏêš qā·ḏê·šāh qā·ḏêš qāḏêš qāḏêšāh vekaDeshLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:7 HEB: מִשְׁפָּט֙ הִ֣וא קָדֵ֔שׁ וַיַּכּ֕וּ אֶֽת־ NAS: to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered KJV: Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote INT: to En-mishpat he which Kadesh and smote all 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 33:36 Numbers 33:37 Deuteronomy 1:46 Deuteronomy 32:51 Judges 11:16 Judges 11:17 Psalm 29:8 Ezekiel 47:19 Ezekiel 48:28 18 Occurrences |
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), approximately 50 miles south of Beersheba, J.Rowlands (1842) see GWilliamsHoly City, 464 f., and especially HCTrumbull (1881)Kadesh Barnea, 238-321.