BIBLE DICTIONARY
Kadesh or Kadesh-barnea

Also called En-mishpat (Gen. 14: 7) and "the water of Meribah" (Num. 20: 13), a city in the southwest corner of Palestine, a well-watered and fruitful spot in the wilderness of Zin. Here Miriam died (Num. 20: 1), and from here, two years after leaving Egypt, the 12 spies were sent to report upon the land of Canaan (Num. 13: 26). On their return, a revolt broke out, and as a punishment the people were condemned by God to wander for 38 years.