Places of the Bible

Kadesh

Wilderness of Zin (southern desert) · Old Testament · 17 verses

Kadesh was an oasis in the wilderness of Zin on the southern edge of the land, often called Kadesh-barnea. Israel camped there during the wilderness years. The name appears in Genesis, Numbers, Deuteronomy and 3 more in the King James text.

About Kadesh

Kadesh was an oasis in the wilderness of Zin on the southern edge of the land, often called Kadesh-barnea. Israel camped there during the wilderness years.

Its place in the story

From Kadesh the twelve spies were sent into Canaan, and there the people refused to enter, so that a generation wandered until they died in the wilderness. At Kadesh Miriam died, and there Moses struck the rock and was told he would not enter the land.

Kadesh in Scripture (KJV)

“And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.”

Genesis 14:7 (KJV)

“Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.”

Genesis 16:14 (KJV)

“And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.”

Genesis 20:1 (KJV)

“And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.”

Numbers 13:26 (KJV)

“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.”

Numbers 20:1 (KJV)

“And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:”

Numbers 20:14 (KJV)

“And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:”

Numbers 20:16 (KJV)

“And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.”

Numbers 20:22 (KJV)

Kadesh is named 17 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.

Where it leads

The failure to trust God at Kadesh shows the need for a faith and obedience fully found in Christ, who leads his people into their inheritance.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).