Kedesh

Kedesh (Kedesh-naphtali), a Canaanite city conquered by Joshua, became a Levitical city and a city of refuge in the territory of Naphtali (Joshua 12:22; 19:37; 20:7; 21:32).

Kedesh, also known as Kedesh-naphtali, was a significant city in the northern part of Canaan. It was originally a Canaanite city, ruled by a king who was defeated by Joshua during the conquest of the land (Joshua 12:22). After the conquest, Kedesh was allotted to the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:37) and designated as a Levitical city (Joshua 21:32) and a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7). Cities of refuge were established to provide sanctuary for those who accidentally killed someone, protecting them from revenge until a proper trial could be held. Kedesh was also the hometown of Barak, who, along with Deborah, led the Israelites to victory against Sisera and the Canaanites (Judges 4:6, 9-11). The city was later captured by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, during his invasion of Israel (2Ki.15.29). The exact location of Kedesh is disputed, but it is generally identified with the modern-day site of Tel Kedesh, located in the Upper Galilee region of Israel, near the border with Lebanon.

A “fenced city” of Naphtali, one of the cities of refuge (Josh. 19:37; Judg. 4:6). It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites (Josh. 21:32). It was originally a Canaanite royal city (Josh. 12:22), and was the residence of Barak (Judg. 4:6); and here he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before the commencement of the conflict with Sisera in the plain of Esdraelon, “for Jehovah among the mighty” (9, 10). In the reign of Pekah it was taken by Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29). It was situated near the “plain” (rather “the oak”) of Zaanaim, and has been identified with the modern Kedes, on the hills fully four miles north-west of Lake El Huleh.

It has been supposed by some that the Kedesh of the narrative, where Barak assembled his troops, was not the place in Upper Galilee so named, which was 30 miles distant from the plain of Esdraelon, but Kedish, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 12 miles from Tabor.