Kedesh

1. Town in the Judean Negev (Jos 15:23); its appearance alongside Adadah (Aroer) argues against its identification with Kadesh-barnea.

2. City of refuge in upper Galilee, in the territory of Naphtali (Jos 20:7), set apart for the Gershonite clan of Levi (Jos 21:32; 1 Chr 6:76), and the home of Barak (Jgs 4:6). It was conquered by Tiglath-pileser III in 732 BC (2 Kgs 15:29). Jonathan Maccabeus defeated the army of Demetrius there (1 Macc 11:63, 73). It is identified with Tell Qades, four and a half miles (7.2 kilometers) northwest of Lake Huleh.

See also Cities of Refuge.

3. Levitical city in Issachar (1 Chr 6:72); the parallel passage has Kishion (Jos 21:28).

See also Levitical Cities.