What is Kadesh in the Bible?
Israel's long encampment in the wilderness, where the spies reported, Miriam died and the water of Meribah was given.
Kadesh is a place in the southern wilderness, in the desert of Zin, which Numbers calls a city in the uttermost of Edom's border (Numbers 20:16). Genesis says it was also called Enmishpat, and that the eastern kings came there and struck the country of the Amalekites (Genesis 14:7).
Kadesh in the Bible
It is used as a landmark in the stories of the patriarchs: the well Beerlahairoi lies between Kadesh and Bered (Genesis 16:14), and Abraham dwelt between Kadesh and Shur (Genesis 20:1). The twelve spies returned to Moses at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran, with fruit of the land (Numbers 13:26). Israel stayed there many days (Deuteronomy 1:46).
Miriam died and was buried there (Numbers 20:1), and from there Moses sent messengers asking the king of Edom for passage (Numbers 20:14; Judges 11:17). The water of Meribah, where Moses and Aaron rebelled against God's command, was at Kadesh (Numbers 27:14). From Kadesh Israel journeyed to mount Hor (Numbers 20:22).
Psalm 29 speaks of the LORD shaking the wilderness of Kadesh (Psalms 29:8), and Ezekiel names the waters of strife in Kadesh as a point on the southern border of the land (Ezekiel 47:19).
- Name meaning
- Holy
- Name origin
- Hebrew
- Role
- Wilderness city on the border of Edom
- First mention
- Genesis 14:7
- Appearances in the Bible
- 17 mentions
Kadesh in the Bible
Chapters that mention Kadesh
Coloring pages with Kadesh
Questions about Kadesh
What is Kadesh in the Bible?
Kadesh is a place in the southern wilderness, in the desert of Zin, which Numbers calls a city in the uttermost of Edom's border (Numbers 20:16). Genesis says it was also called Enmishpat, and that the eastern kings came there and struck the country of the Amalekites (Genesis 14:7). It is used as a landmark in the stories of the patriarchs: the well Beerlahairoi lies between Kadesh and Bered (Genesis 16:14), and Abraham dwelt between Kadesh and Shur (Genesis 20:1). The twelve spies returned to Moses at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran, with fruit of the land (Numbers 13:26). Israel stayed there many days (Deuteronomy 1:46). Miriam died and was buried there (Numbers 20:1), and from there Moses sent messengers asking the king of Edom for passage (Numbers 20:14; Judges 11:17). The water of Meribah, where Moses and Aaron rebelled against God's command, was at Kadesh (Numbers 27:14). From Kadesh Israel journeyed to mount Hor (Numbers 20:22). Psalm 29 speaks of the LORD shaking the wilderness of Kadesh (Psalms 29:8), and Ezekiel names the waters of strife in Kadesh as a point on the southern border of the land (Ezekiel 47:19).
What does the name Kadesh mean?
The name Kadesh means “Holy”. Origin: Hebrew.
Where is Kadesh first mentioned in the Bible?
Kadesh is first mentioned in Genesis 14:7.
How many times is Kadesh mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 17.