Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
(dark-skinned), the second in order of the sons of Ishmael, (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29)
and the name of a great tribe of Arabs settled on the northwest of the peninsula and on the confines
of Palestine. The “glory of Kedar” is recorded by the prophet Isaiah, (Isaiah 21:13-17) in the burden
upon Arabia; and its importance may also be inferred from the “princes of Kedar” mentioned by
Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 27:21) as well as the pastoral character of the tribe. They appear also to have
been, like the wandering tribes of the present day, “archers” and “mighty men.” (Isaiah 21:17)
comp. Psal 120:5 That they also settled in villages or towns we find from Isaiah. (Isaiah 42:11)
The tribe seems to have been one of the most conspicuous of all the Ishmaelite tribes, and hence
the rabbins call the Arabians universally by this name.
Kedemah
(eastward), the youngest of the sons of Ishmael. (Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:31)
Kedemoth
(beginnings), one of the towns in the district east of the Dead Sea allotted to the tribe of Reuben,
(Joshua 13:18) given by the Merarite Levites. (Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:79) It possibly conferred
its name on the “wilderness,” or uncultivated pasture land, “of Kedemoth.” (Numbers 21:33;
2:26,27) etc.
Kedesh
(a sanctuary).
•In the extreme south of Judah, (Joshua 15:23) same as Kadesh and Kadesh-barnea.
•A city of Issachar, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. (1 Chronicles 6:72) The Kadesh mentioned
among the cities whose kings were slain by Joshua, (Joshua 12:22) in company with Megiddo and
Jokneam of Carmel, would seem to have been this city of Issachar.
•Kedesh; also Kedesh in Galilee; and once, (Judges 4:6) Kedesh-naphtali, one of the fortified cities
of the tribe of Naphtali, named between Hazor and Edrei, (Joshua 19:37) appointed as a city of
refuge, and allotted with its “suburbs” to the Gershonite Levites. (Joshua 20:7; 21:32; 1 Chronicles
6:76) It was the residence of Barak, (Judges 4:6) and there he and Deborah assembled the tribes
of Zebulun and Naphtali before the conflict, being probably, as its name implies, a “holy place”
of great antiquity. It was taken by Tiglath-pileser in the reign of Pekah. (2 Kings 15:29) It is
identified with the village Kades, which lies four miles to the northwest of the upper part of the
Sea of Merom.
Kedron
properly Kidron. [Kidron, Or Kedron]
Kefr Kenna
[See Cana]
Kehelathah
(assembly), a desert encampment of the Israelites, (Numbers 33:22) of which nothing is known.
Keilah
(fortress), a city of the Shefelah, or lowland district of Judah. (Joshua 15:44) Its main interest
consists in its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:7-13) It is represented by Kila, a site with ruins,
on the lower road from Beit Jibria to Hebron.
Keilah The Garmite
apparently a descendant of the great Caleb. (1 Chronicles 4:19) There is no apparent connection
with the town Keilah.
Kelaiah
370
William Smith