7156. Qiryathayim
Lexical Summary
Qiryathayim: Kiriathaim

Original Word: קֵרְיָתַיִם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Qiryathayim
Pronunciation: keer-yah-thah-yeem
Phonetic Spelling: (keer-yaw-thah'-yim)
KJV: Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim
NASB: Kiriathaim
Word Origin: [dual of H7151 (קִריָה - city)]

1. double city
2. Kirjathaim, the name of two placed in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim

Dual of qiryah; double city; Kirjathaim, the name of two placed in Palestine -- Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim.

see HEBREW qiryah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from qarah
Definition
a city in Moab, also a place in Naphtali
NASB Translation
Kiriathaim (6).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
קִרְיָתַ֫יִם proper name, of a location Καριαθαιμ (perhaps double city (dual), yet in General on יִַ֯ם in proper name, of a location see Ges§ 88c); —

1 in Moab (MI10) Jeremiah 48:1 (תָ֑יִם-), Jeremiah 48:23, so קִיָתָ֑יְמָה Ezekiel 25:9 Qr (Kt קריתמה); Reubenite city according to Numbers 32:37 (תָ֑יִם-) Joshua 13:9; שָׁוֵה קִרְיָתָ֑יִם Genesis 14:5 plain of Kiryathaim (see שָׁוֵה); modern †urêyât, approximately 1 4-Janmiles southeast from (Mt.) ±A‰‰arus (עֲטָרוֺת), and 6 4-Marmiles north-northwest from Dibon; GASmGeogr. 567 f. BuhlGeogr. 267.

2 Levitical city in Naphtali 1 Chronicles 6:61, = קַרְתָּן "" Joshua 21:32 (Θεμμων, ᵐ5L Καρθαν).

Topical Lexicon
Location and Geography

Kiriathaim lay east of the Jordan River on the high plateau of Moab, between Heshbon and the Arnon Gorge. Surrounded by fertile grazing land, its position commanded the main north–south route through the Trans-Jordan and overlooked access to Moab’s interior. This strategic location explains why the site changed hands repeatedly and became a focal point in both historical narrative and prophetic oracle.

Patriarchal Era Roots (Genesis 14:5)

The earliest mention appears in the account of Abram’s rescue of Lot. “Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him came and defeated … the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim” (Genesis 14:5). At that time the city was associated with the Emim, an ancient, powerful people later classified with the Rephaim. Kiriathaim thus enters Scripture as a witness to God’s protection of the covenant lineage even in foreign territories dominated by formidable peoples.

Settlement by Reuben (Numbers 32:37; Joshua 13:19)

After Israel’s wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Reuben asked for pasturelands east of the Jordan. “The descendants of Reuben built up Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kiriathaim” (Numbers 32:37). Joshua confirms the allotment (Joshua 13:19). The city became part of Reuben’s inheritance, illustrating the faithfulness of God to grant Israel rest in territories He Himself secured — including regions once held by the mighty Emim.

Levitical Association (1 Chronicles 6:76)

Kiriathaim was later designated as a Merarite Levitical city. This underscores its importance in Israel’s worship structure: a center from which priests could teach the Law and model covenant obedience on Moab’s frontier. Even far from Jerusalem, the Lord’s presence was to be made known through Levitical ministry.

Prophetic Judgments against Moab (Jeremiah 48:1, 23; Ezekiel 25:9)

By the late monarchic period Reuben’s hold had weakened and Moab regained control. The prophets recorded divine indictment:
• “Kiriathaim is put to shame, captured; the fortress is shattered and disgraced” (Jeremiah 48:1).
• “Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, Beth Meon— all the towns of Moab, both far and near” would fall (Jeremiah 48:23).
• Ezekiel adds it to the list of “the glory of the land” that the Lord would hand over to desert tribes (Ezekiel 25:9).

Here Kiriathaim represents the pride of Moab. The oracles show that the same God who granted Israel victory over high-walled cities can humble any nation that exalts itself. The city, once a Levitical outpost, became a symbol of judgment when inhabited by a people who mocked Israel and magnified themselves against the Lord.

Archaeological and Historical Considerations

Scholars commonly identify Kiriathaim with modern Qaryat or nearby el-Kureiyat, though some favor Tell Kureiat north of the Arnon. Pottery and architectural remains indicate continuous occupation through the Late Bronze and Iron Ages, matching the biblical timeline of Emim, Israelite, and Moabite control. The site’s double-heighted topography (two natural mounds) aptly reflects its name and supports its military value noted by Genesis and the prophets.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Protection: From Abram’s day the Lord shielded His people even among towering adversaries (Genesis 14).
2. Inheritance and Stewardship: Reuben’s building projects remind believers that God-given territory must be fortified and maintained, not neglected.
3. Consecrated Presence: As a Levitical town, Kiriathaim teaches that worship and teaching are essential at every geographical margin of God’s kingdom.
4. Divine Judgment and Mercy: The prophetic downfall of Kiriathaim warns that privilege without humility brings ruin, yet the very oracles invite repentance, showing God’s consistent call to all nations.

Ministry Applications

• Frontier Ministry: Like Reuben’s Levites, modern servants called to “border” contexts—whether cultural, social, or geographic—must erect centers of biblical instruction that shine amid competing powers.
• Vigilance against Complacency: Reuben lost Kiriathaim when spiritual fervor waned. Churches must guard entrusted spheres lest worldly forces reclaim ground once dedicated to the Lord.
• Humility before God: Moab’s fate illustrates that strength and heritage cannot shield a community that disregards God’s sovereignty. Leaders should therefore cultivate repentance and teach dependence on divine grace.

Summary

Kiriathaim’s scriptural arc— from patriarchal battleground to tribal inheritance, Levitical city, and finally target of prophetic wrath— traces the faithfulness and holiness of God across generations. Its account calls believers to trust the Lord for victory, steward their inheritances faithfully, maintain worship at every outpost, and walk humbly lest privilege turn to judgment.

Forms and Transliterations
וְקִרְיָתַ֣יִם וְקִרְיָתָֽיְמָה׃ וקריתים וקריתימה׃ קִרְיָתַ֖יִם קִרְיָתַ֛יִם קִרְיָתָ֑יִם קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃ קריתים קריתים׃ kiryaTayim qir·yā·ṯa·yim qir·yā·ṯā·yim qiryāṯayim qiryāṯāyim vekiryaTayemah vekiryaTayim wə·qir·yā·ṯā·yə·māh wə·qir·yā·ṯa·yim wəqiryāṯāyəmāh wəqiryāṯayim
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 14:5
HEB: הָֽאֵימִ֔ים בְּשָׁוֵ֖ה קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃
INT: and the Emim Shaveh Kiriathaim

Numbers 32:37
HEB: אֶלְעָלֵ֑א וְאֵ֖ת קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃
NAS: Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim,
KJV: Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
INT: Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim

Joshua 13:19
HEB: וְקִרְיָתַ֣יִם וְשִׂבְמָ֔ה וְצֶ֥רֶת
NAS: and Kiriathaim and Sibmah
KJV: And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah,
INT: and Kiriathaim and Sibmah and Zereth-shahar

1 Chronicles 6:76
HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑יהָ וְאֶת־ קִרְיָתַ֖יִם וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
NAS: with its pasture lands and Kiriathaim with its pasture lands.
KJV: with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
INT: Hammon lands and Kiriathaim pasture

Jeremiah 48:1
HEB: הֹבִ֥ישָׁה נִלְכְּדָ֖ה קִרְיָתָ֑יִם הֹבִ֥ישָׁה הַמִּשְׂגָּ֖ב
NAS: for it has been destroyed; Kiriathaim has been put to shame,
KJV: for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded
INT: is confounded has been captured Kiriathaim is confounded the lofty

Jeremiah 48:23
HEB: וְעַ֧ל קִרְיָתַ֛יִם וְעַל־ בֵּ֥ית
NAS: against Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul
KJV: And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul,
INT: against Kiriathaim against Beth-gamul

Ezekiel 25:9
HEB: [וְקִרְיָתְמָה כ] (וְקִרְיָתָֽיְמָה׃ ק)
NAS: Baal-meon and Kiriathaim,
KJV: Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim,
INT: Beth-jeshimoth Baal-meon Kiriathaim

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7156
7 Occurrences


qir·yā·ṯā·yim — 5 Occ.
wə·qir·yā·ṯā·yə·māh — 1 Occ.
wə·qir·yā·ṯa·yim — 1 Occ.

7155
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