Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

KADESH

(Heb. qāḏēš),

KADESH-BARNEA

(qāḏēš barnēaʿ)

1. Kadesh-barnea, a site in the northern Sinai (the wilderness of Zin; Num. 20:1; 33:36) where Israel encamped at least twice in their wanderings. In the narrative of Chedorlaomer’s campaign into southern Canaan, Kadesh is called En-misphat, “spring of judgment” (Gen. 14:7). It was near Kadesh that Hagar received God’s promise of Ishmael’s birth (Gen. 16:11-14). Moses sent the spies from Kadesh to reconnoiter Canaan, but their report destroyed Israel’s resolve to take the land (Num. 13–14; Deut. 1:19). For their lack of faith, God sentenced Israel to 40 years of wandering, which eventually found Israel back at Kadesh-barnea. It was also at Kadesh that Moses’ sister Miriam died and was buried (Num. 20:1) and there Israel complained again about their lack of water (vv. 2-10). At Kadesh, Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock with his staff to bring forth water rather than speaking to it as God had commanded; this insubordination checked Moses’ entry into Canaan (Num. 20:2-13). The site eventually served as a landmark for the southern border of Judah (Josh. 15:1-3; cf. v. 23, “Kedesh”).

ʿAin el-Qudeirat (096006), the site identified as Kadesh-barnea, does not always mesh with the biblical texts. Working in part upon the identification by Nathaniel Schmidt, C. Leonard Woolley and T. E. Lawrence (1914-1915) confirmed Schmidt’s conclusions. Moshe Dothan reexcavated the site in 1956, and Rudolph Cohen in 1972-1982.

Excavations reveal three superimposed fortresses dating from the 10th to the 7th-6th century b.c., followed by some Persian occupation. The 10th-century fortress was a large oval (ca. 27 m. [88 ft.] in diameter) with casemate walls. The ceramic collection and layout of the site suggest that it was constructed during Solomon’s reign, probably as part of a defensive line along Judah’s southern border. It was likely destroyed during Shishak’s campaigns into Israel and Judah.

The fortress was rebuilt ca. two centuries later. The new fortress was rectangular (ca. 60 × 40 m.[196 × 131 ft.]) with solid walls (ca. 4 m. [13 ft.] thick) and eight projecting towers along its walls. An earth glacis and moat protected the fortification walls. Uzziah may have directed the construction of this fortress (2 Chr. 26:10). It was probably destroyed at the end of Manasseh’s reign in the middle of the 7th century.

The latest fortress was built with casemate walls and followed basically the same rectangular plan as the middle fortress. The glacis and moat continued in use. In the northwestern corner of the fortress was a large circular mudbrick structure (ca. 1.9 m.[6.3 ft.] in diameter). This structure was filled with a thick layer of ashes and next to it were ceramic vessels, a small incense burner, and animal bones. This area may have been a shrine for the personnel of the site or for the region. Cohen suggests that this fortress was built during the time of Josiah and destroyed during Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign when he also destroyed Jerusalem.

The excavations have produced no evidence to indicate the presence of a large number of people at the site during any period when the Exodus is thought to have occurred. Scholars have interpreted this problem differently. Conservatives may assert that the identification is an error and that Kadesh-barnea should be identified with another, yet undiscovered site. Others suggest that the biblical story is an etiological account. A growing number of scholars suggest that there was no body of people who came out of Egypt to camp at Kadesh-barnea and hence no remains should be expected.

Bibliography. R. Cohen, “Excavations at Kadesh-Barnea, 1976-1978,” BA 44 (1981): 93-107; “The Iron Age Fortresses in the Central Negev,” BASOR 236 (1979): 61-79; Kadesh-barnea (Jerusalem, 1983); M. Dothan, “The Fortress at Kadesh-Barnea,” IEJ 15 (1965): 134-51.

2. Kadesh on the Orontes, modern Tell Nebî Mind (291444) in Syria. Although Egyptian annals mention earlier battles at the site (e.g., Thutmose III, Seti I), the more notable conflict occurred ca. 1285 when Rameses II and the Hittites under Muwatallis fought near Kadesh for control of Syria. Both sides suffered badly in the conflict and ended it with a treaty which has been preserved from both parties (ANET, 199-203); the Hittite version probably preserves the terms more accurately. Rameses portrayed the battle on several temple carvings in Egypt.

Bibliography. J. H. Breasted, ed., Ancient Records of Egypt, 5 vols. (Chicago, 1906-7).

Dale W. Manor

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

KADESH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)