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קֶדֶשׁ

𐤒𐤃𐤔

Qedesh

H6943 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קדש to be holy, to consecrate, to set apart

Definition

Qedesh is a proper noun referring to a specific place or locality, primarily distinguished by its association with holiness or consecration. In the Hebrew Bible, Qedesh designates several towns situated in different tribal territories (notably Naphtali, Issachar, and Judah), and potentially other sites. The name itself invokes notions of sanctity or separated status, likely arising from a connection to a sacred or cultic function, though it is not necessarily indicative that the location retained such status permanently or that all uses refer to cult sites. In most biblical contexts, Qedesh functions as a geographical term.

Semantic Range

place set apart (for sacred use), sanctuary, sacred spot, a named locality or town, proper noun referring to a place named Qedesh

Root / Etymology

From the root ק-ד-ש (q-d-sh), meaning 'to be set apart, consecrated, holy.' Qedesh is a feminine noun form likely denoting 'place set apart', 'sanctuary,' or more generally 'holy place.' Here, used as a toponym for specific settlements. The form derives from the root by the addition of the feminine ending, yielding the meaning 'a place of holiness' or 'separated place.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Qedesh appears most prominently as a fortified city allotted to Naphtali and referenced as a Levitical city and a city of refuge (Josh 19:37; 20:7; 21:32). It also appears in lists of cities in other tribal allotments (in Issachar and Judah: Josh 21:28; 15:23). The name's association with sanctity may suggest, though does not require, earlier cultic significance, as place-names derived from ק-ד-ש are sometimes linked to sanctuary functions. Nevertheless, later biblical texts typically use the place name without explicit reference to ongoing cultic activity, and much of its context is administrative or geographic. The English rendering 'Kedesh' is a transliteration, but English Bibles sometimes supply 'holy place' in notes; however, it should be understood as a proper noun. The use of the term in different tribal contexts suggests either multiple locations with this name (a common biblical toponymic phenomenon), or possible tradition variation regarding the location(s) of Qedesh. The root connection is shared with קָדֵשׁ (qadesh, 'sanctuary') and קָדֵשׁ (Qadesh, another site), but these refer to different specific places.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָדַשׁ; a sanctum; Kedesh, the name of four places in Palestine; Kedesh.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קדש (q-d-sh) — holiness, consecration, being set apart

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6918 קָדוֹשׁ in a set-apart one
H6922 קַדִּישׁ to holy ones of
H6942 קָדַשׁ I will consecrate
H6944 קֹדֶשׁ in the sacred things
H6948 קְדֵשָׁה the consecrated woman

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6943-02 קֶ֨דֶשׁ֙ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place 7
H6943-03 קֶֽדְשָׁ/ה qedeshah HNp/Sd Kedesh Set-Apart Place 2
H6943-04 וְ/קֶ֥דֶשׁ veqedesh HC/Np and Kedesh and Set-Apart-Place 2
H6943-01 מִ/קֶּ֖דֶשׁ miqedesh HR/Np from Kedesh from Qedesh 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6943-02 Joshua 12:22 קֶ֨דֶשׁ֙ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-04 Joshua 15:23 וְ/קֶ֥דֶשׁ veqedesh HC/Np and Kedesh and Set-Apart-Place
H6943-04 Joshua 19:37 וְ/קֶ֥דֶשׁ veqedesh HC/Np and Kedesh and Set-Apart-Place
H6943-02 Joshua 20:7 קֶ֤דֶשׁ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-02 Joshua 21:32 קֶ֨דֶשׁ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-01 Judges 4:6 מִ/קֶּ֖דֶשׁ miqedesh HR/Np from Kedesh from Qedesh
H6943-03 Judges 4:9 קֶֽדְשָׁ/ה qedeshah HNp/Sd to Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-03 Judges 4:10 קֶ֔דְשָׁ/ה qedeshah HNp/Sd Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-02 Judges 4:11 קֶֽדֶשׁ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place
H6943-02 2 Kings 15:29 קֶ֨דֶשׁ qedesh HNp Kedesh Set-Apart Place
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