kedesh Summary and Overview

sanctuary. (1.) A place in the extreme south of Judah (Josh. 15:23). Probably the same as Kadesh-barnea (q.v.). (2.) A city of Issachar (1 Chr. 6:72). Possibly Tell Abu Kadeis, near Lejjun. (3.) A "fenced city" of Naphtali, one of the cities of refuge (Josh. 19:37; Judg. 4:6). It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites (Josh. 21:32). It was originally a Canaanite royal city (Josh. 12:22), and was the residence of Barak (Judg. 4:6); and here he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the commencement of the conflict with Sisera in the plain of Esdraelon, "for Jehovah among the mighty" (9, 10). In the reign of Pekah it was taken by Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29). It was situated near the "plain" (rather "the oak") of Zaanaim, and has been identified with the modern Kedes, on the hills fully four miles north-west of Lake El Huleh. It has been supposed by some that the Kedesh of the narrative, where Barak assembled his troops, was not the place in Upper Galilee so named, which was 30 miles distant from the plain of Esdraelon, but Kedish, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 12 miles from Tabor.

(a sanctuary). 1. In the extreme south of Judah, #Jos 15:23| same as Kadesh and Kadesh-barnea. 2. A city of Issachar, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. #1Ch 6:72| The Kadesh mentioned among the cities whose kings were slain by Joshua, #Jos 12:22| in company with Megiddo and Jokneam of Carmel, would seem to have been this city of Issachar. 3. Kedesh; also Kedesh in Galilee; and once, #Jud 4:6| Kedesh-naphtali, one of the fortified cities of the tribe of Naphtali, named between Hazor and Edrei, #Jos 19:37| appointed as a city of refuge, and allotted with its "suburbs" to the Gershonite Levites. #Jos 20:7; 21:32; 1Ch 6:76| It was the residence of Barak, #Jud 4:6| and there he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the conflict, being probably, as its name implies, a "holy place" of great antiquity. It was taken by Tiglath-pileser in the reign of Pekah. #2Ki 15:29| It is identified with the village Kades, which lies four miles to the northwest of the upper part of the Sea of Merom.

KE'DESH (sanctuary). 1. A town on the southern boundary of Judah, Josh 15:23; perhaps identical with Kadesh or Kadesh-barnea. 2. A city of Issachar; assigned to the Gershonite Levites. 1 Chr 6:72. In the parallel list, Josh 21:28, its name is Kishon. 3. A fortified city belonging to the tribe of Naphtali; allotted to the Gershonite Levites, Josh 20:7; Josh 21:32; 1 Chr 6:76, and made a city of refuge. It was the residence of Barak, Jud 4:6, and here Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jud 4:11. It was taken by Tiglath-pileser in the reign of Pekah, 2 Kgs 15:29, and here the battle took place between Jonathan Maccabaeus and Demetrius. 1 Mace. 11:63. Now it is a small village, Kades, 10 miles north of Safed and 4 miles north-west of Merom, beautifully situated on a high ridge jutting out in the depressed basin through which the Jordan flows to the Sea of Merom. It is surrounded with ruins; numerous sarcophagi have been found here.

1. A town in Judah's extreme S. (Joshua 15:23). ("sanctuary".) 2. Of Issachar, assigned to the Gershonite Levites (1 Chronicles 6:72); Kishon in Joshua 21:28 probably the better reading. 3. Kedesh Naphtali, or Kedesh in Galilee (Joshua 19:37), a Levitical city of refuge assigned to the Gershonite Levites (Joshua 20:7). Barak's birthplace (Judges 4:6; Judges 4:9-10), where he and Deborah assembled Zebulun and Naphtali as being a "holy" place, which Kedesh means. Kedesh Naphtali is now Kades at the western edge of Huleh, the marshy basin through which Jordan passes into the sea of Merom, from which Kedesh lies N.W. four miles distant. Its site is on a high ridge jutting out from the western hills, well watered, and environed by plains well cultivated and peopled. Conder (Israel Exploration Quarterly Statement, January, 1877, p. 25) conjectures that the Kedesh to which Barak called Israel together is distinct from Kadesh (or Kedesh) Naphtali, Barak's native place. For Kadesh Naphtali Isaiah 30 miles from Tabor, the scene of the battle, and separated by some of the most difficult country in Israel. Probably Bezanaim was E. of Tabor, and answers to the modern Bessum. Harosheth of the Gentiles will thus be Harothiyeh. In this direction probably stood Kedesh, at the place now called Kadis, on the shore of the sea of Galilee. Taken by Tiglath Pileser (2 Kings 15:29). Tell Hara, standing out prominently to the S.E., is connected by Lieut. Kitchener with Harosheth the head quarters of Sisera (Israel Exploration Quarterly Statement, October, 1877, p. 197).