קִרְיָתַיִם
Kirjathaim, the name of two placed in Palestine
Definition
Kirjathaim is the name of two distinct cities in the Old Testament. The first is a city in the territory of Reuben, east of the Jordan River, which was rebuilt by the Reubenites after its conquest (Numbers 32:37, Joshua 13:19). It was later assigned to the Levites (1 Chronicles 6:76). The second is a Moabite city, mentioned in prophecies of judgment against Moab, where it is listed among the cities that will be captured and shamed (Jeremiah 48:1, 23; Ezekiel 25:9). The name itself means 'double city' or 'twin cities.'
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun for place names. It appears in historical books (Numbers, Joshua, Chronicles) to describe an Israelite city in the Transjordan, and in prophetic books (Jeremiah, Ezekiel) as a Moabite city facing divine judgment. The usage pattern shows it was a known location in both Israelite and Moabite contexts, with its prophetic mentions emphasizing its downfall as part of God's judgment on Moab.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151), meaning 'city' or 'town.' The form קִרְיָתַיִם is a dual construction, literally meaning 'double city' or 'twin cities,' suggesting it may have referred to a settlement with two main parts or a pair of closely associated towns.
Semantic Range
Kirjathaim serves as a tangible example in the biblical narrative of God's sovereignty over the lands and nations. Its mention in the conquest and allotment of the Promised Land (Numbers 32:37) highlights God's faithfulness in giving territory to Israel. Conversely, its appearance in oracles against Moab (Jeremiah 48:1) underscores the theme of divine judgment on pride and opposition to God's people, reminding readers that God holds all cities and nations accountable.
In the ancient Near East, city names often described geographical features or the settlement's nature. A 'double city' likely indicated a settlement with two fortified mounds, a twin settlement, or a city with a notable upper and lower section. Its presence in both Israelite and Moabite territories reflects the shifting borders and contested lands typical of the region.
עִיר (ʿîr, H5892) — The common Hebrew word for 'city,' whereas Kirjathaim is a specific proper name. קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — The singular root word meaning 'city' or 'town,' from which Kirjathaim is derived as a dual form.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →