Lexical Summary Qir Cheres or Qir Chareseth: Kir-hareseth, Kir-heres Original Word: קִיר חֶרֶשׂ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Kir-haraseth, Kir-hareseth, Kir-haresh, Kir-heres Or (feminine of the latter word) Qiyr Chareseth {keer khar-eh'-seth}; from qiyr and cheres; fortress of earthenware; Kir-Cheres or Kir-Chareseth, a place in Moab -- Kir-haraseth, Kir-hareseth, Kir-haresh, Kir-heres. see HEBREW qiyr see HEBREW cheres NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qir and cheres Definition "wall of earthenware," a fortified city in Moab NASB Translation Kir-hareseth (3), Kir-heres (2). Topical Lexicon Kir HaresethHistorical and Geographical Setting Kir Hareseth (also rendered Kir Heres or Kir Haraseth) was the principal stronghold of ancient Moab, situated high on a rocky spur overlooking the Arnon gorge east of the Dead Sea. Most scholars locate it at modern-day Kerak in Jordan, a site dominated by a plateau rising more than 900 meters above sea level and naturally protected on three sides by steep valleys. The city guarded the King’s Highway, controlled the fertile tableland famed for vineyards, and formed the defensive heart of Moabite power. Strategic Importance 1. Natural fortifications: sheer cliffs made assault difficult apart from the western saddle. Military Narrative: 2 Kings 3 The city first appears when Joram of Israel, Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom marched against Mesha. Moab’s final refuge withstood siege until Mesha offered his firstborn on the wall. The resulting horror struck Israel’s coalition, which withdrew. The episode illustrates: – The limits of human warfare when confronted with spiritual realities. – The depth of Moab’s desperation and the tragic extremes of pagan religion. – A reminder that outward victory can be nullified when God’s favor is absent. Prophetic Laments in Isaiah Isaiah 15–16 devotes two chapters to Moab’s downfall, with Kir Hareseth as the emotional center: The prophet’s grief demonstrates the Lord’s compassion even while pronouncing judgment. The vineyard imagery hints at potential fruitfulness that pride squandered. God both disciplines and yearns for repentance. Jeremiah’s Dirge over Moab Jeremiah echoes Isaiah a century later: The repetition underscores the certainty of judgment yet maintains a tone of sorrow, revealing the divine balance of justice and mercy. Kir Hareseth’s musicians—once symbols of festivity—become mourners, foreshadowing the silencing of worldly joy apart from God. Theological Themes 1. Human fortresses cannot withstand divine decree (Psalm 127:1). Archaeological and Historical Notes • Pottery fragments and massive Iron-Age walls at Kerak fit the biblical timetable. Christological and Eschatological Resonance Kir Hareseth foreshadows the tension between earthly security and ultimate deliverance: Ministry Applications • Pastoral warning: congregations may rely on programs or heritage as “walls,” yet only obedience and faith secure blessing. Summary Kir Hareseth stands in Scripture as a monument to Moab’s pride, a theater of divine judgment, and a canvas for prophetic compassion. Its ruins caution every generation that no fortress, cultural or personal, can replace humble trust in the living God. Forms and Transliterations חֲרֶ֛שֶׂת חֲרָ֑שֶׂת חֶ֔רֶשׂ חֶ֖רֶשׂ חָֽרֶשׂ׃ חרש חרש׃ חרשת chaRaset Chares chaReset Cheres ḥă·rā·śeṯ ḥă·re·śeṯ ḥā·reś ḥărāśeṯ ḥāreś ḥăreśeṯ ḥe·reś ḥereśLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 3:25 HEB: אֲבָנֶ֛יהָ בַּקִּ֖יר חֲרָ֑שֶׂת וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ הַקַּלָּעִ֖ים NAS: until in Kir-hareseth [only] they left KJV: trees: only in Kirharaseth left INT: left stones Kir-hareseth went the slingers Isaiah 16:7 Isaiah 16:11 Jeremiah 48:31 Jeremiah 48:36 5 Occurrences |