Original Word: קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Qadesh Barnea`
Pronunciation: kah-DAYSH bar-NAY-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-dashe' bar-nay'-ah)
KJV: Kadesh-barnea
NASB: Kadesh-barnea
Word Origin: [from the same as H6946 (קָדֵשׁ - Kadesh) and an otherwise unused word (apparently compounded of a correspondent to H125 (אֲדַמדָּם - reddish-white)1 and a derivative of H5128 (נוַּע - wander)) meaning desert of a fugitive]

1. Kadesh of (the) Wilderness of Wandering
2. Kadesh-Barnea, a place in the Desert

Kadesh-barnea

From the same as Qadesh and an otherwise unused word (apparently compounded of a correspondent to bar and a derivative of nuwa') meaning desert of a fugitive; Kadesh of (the) Wilderness of Wandering; Kadesh-Barnea, a place in the Desert -- Kadesh-barnea.

see HEBREW Qadesh

see HEBREW bar

see HEBREW nuwa'

Word Origin
from Qadesh and a word of uncertain derivation
Definition
a place in the desert
NASB Translation
Kadesh-barnea (10).

Location and Geography

Kadesh-barnea is situated at the southern edge of the land later allotted to Judah, marking the transition between the wilderness of Paran and the wilderness of Zin (Numbers 34:3-4; Joshua 15:1-3). Archaeologically it is often identified with modern ʿAin Qedeis or nearby ʿAin Qudeirat in the north-eastern Sinai/Negev. Its placement made it a strategic oasis on the overland routes from Egypt to Canaan and a natural staging ground for Israel’s approach to the Promised Land.

Journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea

Deuteronomy 1:2 notes that “It is an eleven-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea by way of Mount Seir”, underscoring how quickly Israel could have entered Canaan had they obeyed. Moses records that the nation left Horeb, traversed “that great and terrible wilderness,” and arrived at Kadesh-barnea (Deuteronomy 1:19). The oasis thus represents the first major encampment after the giving of the Law, and it became the pivot point of Israel’s probation.

The Mission of the Twelve Spies and the Sin of Unbelief

Although Numbers 13 uses the shorter name “Kadesh,” the site is the same. From here Moses sent twelve men to spy out Canaan. Their return and the nation’s refusal to enter (Numbers 13–14) resulted in the generation’s condemnation to wander until every fighting man over twenty had died (cf. Deuteronomy 2:14). Numbers 32:8 reminds the next generation, “This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land”. Thus Kadesh-barnea symbolizes Israel’s faithlessness and the beginning of the thirty-eight additional years of wandering.

Caleb and Joshua—Models of Faith

From the same location, Caleb and Joshua stood apart in faith. Caleb testifies, “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him an honest report” (Joshua 14:7). Decades later he claims the promise first uttered to him at Kadesh-barnea (Joshua 14:6). The site therefore contrasts corporate unbelief with individual steadfastness.

Rebellion Revisited

When the people reached Kadesh-barnea again near the end of the wilderness period (Numbers 20, where the longer name is not used), they repeated their grumbling, leading to Moses’ striking of the rock. Deuteronomy 9:23 looks back: “And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, ‘Go up and possess the land I have given you.’ But you rebelled…”. Kadesh-barnea thus frames the nation’s testing—first refusal, then final obedience under Joshua.

Boundary Marker of the Promised Land

In the formal delineation of Israel’s southern border, the line “shall go around south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and end at Kadesh-barnea” (Numbers 34:4). Joshua 15:3 repeats the description for Judah’s inheritance. Later, during Joshua’s campaigns, victory is summarized “from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza” (Joshua 10:41), showing the town’s role as the extremity of conquered territory.

Chronological Reference Point

Deuteronomy routinely measures time from events at Kadesh-barnea: the thirty-eight-year span from that point to the crossing of the Zered (Deuteronomy 2:14) becomes the yardstick of God’s judgment and faithfulness. The name is therefore both a geographical and chronological anchor in the Pentateuchal narrative.

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

1. The brevity of the Horeb-to-Kadesh journey juxtaposed with the length of the subsequent wandering illustrates how unbelief magnifies hardship.
2. Caleb’s recollection shows that faith expressed at Kadesh-barnea is rewarded even decades later; divine promises do not expire.
3. As a border town, Kadesh-barnea reminds believers that obedience is often tested at the threshold of blessing.
4. The repeated mention of the site in boundary lists underscores God’s precise fulfillment of territorial promises to the patriarchs.

Summary of Old Testament Occurrences

Numbers 32:8; Numbers 34:4

Deuteronomy 1:2; 1:19; 2:14; 9:23

Joshua 10:41; 14:6; 14:7; 15:3

In every reference, Kadesh-barnea stands as a critical witness to God’s covenantal dealings—promises offered, unbelief judged, faith honored, and boundaries secured.

בַּרְנֵ֑עַ בַּרְנֵ֖עַ בַּרְנֵ֗עַ בַּרְנֵ֙עַ֙ בַּרְנֵֽעַ׃ ברנע ברנע׃ bar·nê·a‘ barNea barnêa‘Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts