Kadesh, Kadesh Barnea, Meribah Kadesh

Definition

The names Kadesh, Kadesh Barnea, and Meribah Kadesh all refer to an important city in Israel’s history which was located in the southern part of Israel, near the region of Edom.

• The city of Kadesh was an oasis, a place where there was water and fertile soil in the middle of a desert named Zin.
• Moses sent twelve spies into the land of Canaan from Kadesh Barnea.
• Israel also encamped at Kadesh during the wandering in the wilderness.
• Kadesh Barnea was where Miriam died.
• It was at Meribah Kadesh where Moses disobeyed God and hit a rock to get water for the Israelites, instead of speaking to it as God had told him to do.
• The name “kadesh” comes from the Hebrew word meaning “holy” or “set apart.”

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: desert, Edom, holy)

Bible References

• Ezekiel 48:28
• Genesis 14:7-9
• Genesis 16:14
• Genesis 20:1-3
• Joshua 10:40-41
• Numbers 20:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H4809, H6946, H6947