Kartah
Kartah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet el Qureiyeh. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Kartah is mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the Levitical cities assigned to the Merarite clan of the Levites from within the territory of the tribe of Zebulun. In Joshua 21:34, the allotment of cities to the Merarites is recorded, and Kartah is listed alongside Jokneam, Dimnah, and Nahalal. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 6:77 lists the Merarite cities from Zebulun but does not include Kartah by name, leading some scholars to suggest textual variation or that Kartah may be an alternate name for one of the other listed cities. The Levitical city system, established by divine command through Moses (Numbers 35:1-8), ensured that the priestly tribe, which received no territorial inheritance of its own, would be distributed throughout Israel to serve as spiritual leaders and teachers of the Torah. Kartah's assignment to the Merarites placed Levitical presence in the Galilee region, fulfilling God's design for spiritual instruction to permeate every part of the Promised Land.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Kartah has been tentatively identified with Khirbet el-Qureiyeh, located in the lower Galilee region within the traditional territory of Zebulun. The identification is based primarily on geographical considerations and the general fit with the Levitical city lists, though definitive confirmation remains elusive. The site has not been the subject of major archaeological excavation. The lower Galilee in which Kartah was situated is characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys, and the region shows extensive Iron Age occupation consistent with Israelite settlement. Some scholars have alternatively proposed Tell Qurdaneh near the Kishon River as a candidate, but no consensus has been reached.
Verse Appearances (2)
Josh
1Chr
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →