What is…
Kadesh

also known as: Qadesh, Kadeš (Hittite language), Kadeshbarnea, Akkadian/Accadian: Kinza, Kidša, Gizza

This is the sacred city of the Hittites, on the left bank of the Orontes River, about 4 miles south of the Lake of Homs. The Hittite and Egyptian empires battled here in the 13th century BC.

It is identified with the great mound Tell Nebi Mend (aka Tell Neby Mendeh), some 50 to 100 feet high, and 450 by 200 meters in size (491 x 219 yards).

There is an upper and lower tell. The lower tell is covers about 25 acres (10 hectares) and is 98 feet high (30 meters).

In Egypt, on the ruins of the temple of Karnak archaeologists found an inscription recording the capture of Kadesh by Pharaoh Rameses II.

Here the sculptor “has chiselled in deep work on the stone, with a bold execution of the several parts, the procession of the warriors, the battle before Kadesh, the storming of the fortress, the overthrow of the enemy, and the camp life of the Egyptians.”

In modern Israel, there is a desert stream named Nahal Kadesh Barnea (below) (aka Nahal Kadesh Barne'a) very near the border with Egypt.

More information

• What are Hittites?
• What are the CITIES OF THE BIBLE? Names, descriptions, locations and types
• Places of the Bible