< Previous | Contents | Next >

•KIRJATH-JEARIM city of jaars; i.e., of woods or forests, a Gibeonite town (Joshua 9:17) on the border of Benjamin, to which tribe it was assigned (18:15, 28). The ark was brought to this place (1 Samuel 7:1, 2) from Beth-shemesh and put in charge of Abinadab, a Levite. Here it remained till it was removed by David to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:2, 3, 12; 1 Chronicles 15:1-29; comp. Psalm 132). It was also called Baalah (Joshua 15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified with Kuriet el-‘Enab (i.e., “city of grapes”), among the hills, about 8 miles north-east of ‘Ain Shems (i.e., Beth-shemesh). The opinion, however, that it is to be identified with ‘Erma, 4 miles east of ‘Ain Shems, on the edge of the valley of Sorek, seems to be better supported. (See KIRJATH.)‌‌

The words of Psalm 132:6, “We found it in the fields of the wood,” refer to the sojourn of the ark at Kirjath-jearim. “Wood” is here the rendering of the Hebrew word jaar, which is the singular of jearim.

•KIRJATH-SANNAH city of the sannah; i.e., of the palm(?), Joshua 15:49; the same as Kirjath-sepher (15:16; Judges 1:11) and Debir (q.v.), a Canaanitish royal city included in Judah (Joshua 10:38; 15:49), and probably the chief seat of learning among the Hittites. It was about 12 miles to the south-west of Hebron.

•KIRJATH-SEPHER city of books, Joshua 15:15; same as Kirjath-sannah (q.v.), now represented by the valley of ed-Dhaberiyeh, south-west of Hebron. The name of this town is an evidence that the Canaanites were acquainted with writing and books. “The town probably contained a noted school, or was the site of an oracle and the residence of some learned priest.” The “books” were probably engraved stones or bricks.

•KIR OF MOAB Isaiah 15:1. The two strongholds of Moab were Ar and Kir, which latter is probably the Kir-haraseth (16:7) following.

•KISH a bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 23:21; 24:29).

(2.) A Benjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:30; 9:36). (3.) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:12). (4.) The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5).

< Previous | Contents | Next >