Kadesh (Israel)

Kadesh or Qadhesh in Classical (Hebrew: קָדֵשׁ‎‎), from the root קדש "holy", is a place-name that occurs several times in the Hebrew Bible. From the context it is implied that there were perhaps two different cities, both located south of, or at the southern border of, Canaan and the Kingdom of Judah, with one in a more easterly location than the other (see discussion in the "Location" paragraph). The alternate spelling appears as Qadesh-Barneaʿ (קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ), "Barnea" meaning wilderness wandering, and which some scholars hold to be a different place altogether. The Bible associates the place-name Kadesh (and/or Kadesh Barnea), with a number of biblical episodes, bestowing considerable importance to the site - or sites - in the narrative of the genesis of the Israelites. Kadesh was the chief site of encampment for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness of Zin (Deuteronomy 1:46); it was from Kadesh that the Israelite spies were sent out into Canaan (Numbers 13:1-26); the first failed attempt to take the land was made from Kadesh (Numbers 14:40-45); Moses disobediently struck the rock that brought forth water at Kadesh (Numbers 20:11); Miriam (Numbers 20:1) and Aaron (Numbers 20:22-29) both died and were buried near a place named Kadesh; and Moses sent envoys to the King of Edom from Kadesh (Numbers 20:14), asking for permission to let the Israelites use the King's Highway passing through his territory, which the Edomite king denied. According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Kadesh (later called Rekem) is identified with Petra, in Jordan.

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