Kedesh (2)
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient fortified city in the region of Naphtali, identified with the biblical Kedesh.
What is the meaning of Kedesh (2) in the Bible?
Site of a military engagement between Judas Maccabeus and the forces of Demetrius I Soter, also known as Kedesh-Naphtali.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying this location clarifies the geographical context of the Maccabean resistance against Seleucid expansion in northern Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Kedesh (2) (located near modern Tell Qades, near the Lebanon border) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Kedesh (2) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Kedesh (2) clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Kedesh (2)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/kedesh-2/