Kedemoth
“Beginnings, or easternmost parts”
Summary
A city east of the Dead Sea in the territory of Reuben, assigned to the Merarite Levites, with a surrounding wilderness from which Moses sent messengers to Sihon.
☩Location and Significance
Kedemoth was a city in the tribal territory of Reuben, east of the Dead Sea, assigned along with its surrounding pasture lands to the Levites of the family of Merari. The city gave its name to the "wilderness of Kedemoth," from which Moses sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites requesting peaceful passage through his territory. This request, coming after Israel had crossed the river Arnon, marked the beginning of the military campaign that would conquer the Transjordan region. The name means "beginnings" or "easternmost parts," appropriate for a city on the eastern frontier of Israel's territory.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Kedemoth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Kedemoth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Kedemoth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Kedemoth," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).