Lexical Summary Qartah: Qartah Original Word: קַרתָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kartah From qereth; city; Kartah, a place in Palestine -- Kartah. see HEBREW qereth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qarah Definition a city in Zebulun NASB Translation Kartah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קַרְתָּה proper name, of a location Καδης, Καριθα, etc.: Levitical city in Zebulun Joshua 21:34, site unknown. קַרְתָּן see קִרְיָתַיִם 2 above Topical Lexicon Overview Kartah (קַרתָּה) appears only once in Scripture, yet its single mention situates it within the extensive network of Levitical towns that shaped Israel’s worship life after the conquest of Canaan. Allotted to the Merarite clan, the town functioned as a center for priestly instruction and sacrificial support, embodying the biblical principle that God’s presence and teaching are intended to permeate every tribal inheritance. Biblical Occurrence Joshua 21:34 records the city’s assignment: “And to the families of the rest of the Merarites the Levites they gave from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal—four cities, together with their pasturelands”. Though brief, this verse places Kartah in the same list with Jokneam and Nahalal, establishing its location in the northern hill country once held by Zebulun (Joshua 19:10-16). Geographical Setting While the precise ruins remain unidentified, Kartah was likely situated west of the Sea of Galilee and east of the Mediterranean coastal plain, a region of rolling elevations and fertile valleys. The proximity to major trade routes would have enabled Levites stationed there to interact regularly with Israelites traveling to and from the sanctuary, extending teaching beyond the tabernacle precincts. Levitical Function and Ministry Context 1. Instruction in the Law: Merarites were custodians of tabernacle boards and bases (Numbers 4:29-33). Placing them in Kartah ensured ongoing transmission of tabernacle knowledge, reinforcing covenant obedience among Zebulun’s population (Deuteronomy 33:10). Theological Themes • Incarnational Presence: The dispersion of Levites highlights a principle fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ—God dwelling among His people (John 1:14). Kartah prefigures this incarnational ministry by placing teachers of the Law in everyday neighborhoods. Historical and Archaeological Notes Suggestions for Kartah’s location include the sites of el-Khirbeh near modern Sepphoris or Tell Qarta near Jokneam. Absence of firm identification does not undermine the biblical record; rather, it reflects the rolling habitation patterns of ancient Galilee and the possibility that Levitical settlements, focused on ministry instead of fortification, left a lighter archaeological footprint. Application for the Church Kartah challenges believers to consider how gospel workers are positioned within the modern landscape. As Kartah’s Levites were supported by their brethren to serve faithfully, congregations today are called to ensure that pastors, missionaries, and teachers receive adequate provision (Philippians 4:16-17). Additionally, Kartah models neighborhood presence: God’s servants live among the people they serve, carrying out ministry in the rhythms of daily life. Forms and Transliterations קַרְתָּ֖ה קרתה karTah qar·tāh qartāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 21:34 HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־ קַרְתָּ֖ה וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ NAS: lands and Kartah with its pasture lands. KJV: with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, INT: Jokneam pasture and Kartah lands 1 Occurrence |
    |