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| qedes [2024/04/18 19:47] – created ken | qedes [2024/12/18 20:21] (current) – ken |
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| קדש | קדש |
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| 'Qedes' means "dedicated". The term is used to refer to dedicated objects or lands reserved for ceremonial use. AS such, it often is translated as "holy" or "sacred" but these terms carry with them a sense of implicit value which 'qedesh' does not warrant. The value of the object is not an implicit one, but rather value is assigned to the object intentionally by an outside party. The users of the object or place have reserved it for a certain type of use. Much like your grandmother's fine china, it is deemed special and kept away until special occasions, but may be only marginally more valuable than a common dish based on the quality of the object itself. | 'Qedes' means "holy" or perhaps "dedicated". |
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| Appearing 362 times, this "dedicated" meaning is the understood intent. However, in 149 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6942) the verb form indicates the act of assigning the dedicated status. This act is sometimes translated as "consecrating" or "sanctifying". | The term is often used to refer to dedicated objects or lands reserved for ceremonial use. As such, it often is translated as "holy" or "sacred" but these terms carry with them a sense of implicit value which 'qedesh' does not necessarily warrant. The value of these objects is not an implicit one, but rather value is assigned to the object intentionally by an outside party. The users of the object or place have reserved it for a certain type of use. Much like your grandmother's fine china, it is deemed special and kept away until special occasions, but may be only marginally more valuable than a common dish based on the quality of the object itself. |
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| 12 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6943) and 18 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6946) erroneously assume the word is the proper name of a certain place (supposedly a town called Kadesh Barnea). 3 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6945) erroneously translate as "perverts", and 4 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6948) erroneously translated as "harlots" or "prostitutes" (see [[zen]]). | Appearing 362 times, this "dedicated" meaning does appear to be the intent. Additionally, in 149 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6942) the verb form of the root seems to indicate the act of assigning the dedicated status. This act is sometimes translated as "consecrating" or "sanctifying". |
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| | 12 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6943) and 18 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6946) interpret the word as the proper name of a certain place - supposedly a town called Kadesh Barnea. This might possibly indicate some type of consecration of the area, but it could also imply that there was a certain type of dedication that the area was known for. One possible interpretation is that the area was a unified confederacy of villages, each one dedicated to their common cause. |
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| | However, some instances appear to refer to a supernatural or divine being. In these instances, an interpretation of "holy" may be more appropriate, given that the being itself appears to be implicitly "holy" rather than simply dedicated to something "holy". |
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| | Rather oddly thought, 4 instances((Job 36:14 |
| | , 1 Kings 15:12, 1 Kings 22:46, 2 Kings 23:7)) (assigned to Strongnumber 6945) erroneously translate as "perverts", and 4 instances (assigned to Strongnumber 6948) erroneously translated as "harlots" or "prostitutes" (see [[zen]]). These interpretations are somewhat dubious and deserve some reconsideration. |
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| Deuteronomy 23:16-17 is an interesting example of this erroneous translation. Most Bible versions read something to the effect of: | Deuteronomy 23:16-17 is an interesting example of this erroneous translation. Most Bible versions read something to the effect of: |
| //You shall not give back to his master any slave who has escaped to you. He may dwell in your midst in the place which he chooses within one of your gates where it seems best. You shall not oppress him. There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel nor shall be a pervert of the sons of Israel// | //You shall not give back to his master any slave who has escaped to you. He may dwell in your midst in the place which he chooses within one of your gates where it seems best. You shall not oppress him. There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel nor shall be a pervert of the sons of Israel// |
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| This chapter is primarily about social justice, including which of their warring neighbors warrant retribution, property law, and certain financial considerations; these supposed sexual admonitions seem rather out of place. Once we correct 'qedesh' to its actual meaning of "dedicated", the passage is much more consistent: | This entire chapter is primarily about social justice. It speaks on topics including property law, and certain financial considerations, and which of their warring neighbors warrant retribution. The supposed sexual admonitions seem somewhat out of place in the greater context of the chapter. However, once we correct 'qedesh' to its actual meaning of "dedicated", the passage is much more consistent: |
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| //You shall not give back to his master any slave who has escaped to you. He may dwell in your midst in the place which he chooses within one of your gates where it seems best. You shall not oppress him. There are no dedicated daughters in Israel nor are dedicated sons in Israel.// | //You shall not give back to his master any slave who has escaped to you. He may dwell in your midst in the place which he chooses within one of your gates where it seems best. You shall not oppress him. There are no dedicated daughters in Israel nor are dedicated sons in Israel.// |
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| LexID 6918 (qedos), 6944 | LexID 6918, 6944 |
