Shaveh-kiriathaim
Shaveh-kiriathaim is a region mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Transjordan in modern-day Israel. Known today as Al Qurayyat. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Shaveh-kiriathaim appears in Genesis 14:5 within the account of the military campaign of the four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer of Elam against the rebellious cities of the Jordan plain. The text states that Chedorlaomer and his allies defeated the Emim at Shaveh-kiriathaim during their sweeping military campaign through Transjordan. The Emim were a people of great stature, described in Deuteronomy 2:10-11 as being as tall and numerous as the Anakim, whom the Moabites called Emim. The name Shaveh-kiriathaim means "the plain of Kiriathaim" or "the twin cities plain," indicating a flat area near or belonging to the town of Kiriathaim. This battle formed part of the broader conflict that culminated in the capture of Lot and the subsequent rescue mission by Abraham, leading to the famous encounter with Melchizedek, king of Salem. The defeat of the Emim at Shaveh-kiriathaim thus contributes to one of the most theologically rich narratives in Genesis, connecting the patriarchal period to themes of warfare, deliverance, tithing, and the mysterious priestly kingship that foreshadows Christ (Hebrews 7).
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Shaveh-kiriathaim is identified as the plain surrounding the town of Kiriathaim, which is commonly associated with el-Qureiyat (Al Qurayyat) in modern Jordan, located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Dibon on the Moabite plateau. The Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone), discovered in 1868 and dating to approximately 840 BC, mentions Kiriathaim (Qiryaten) as a city rebuilt by King Mesha of Moab, confirming the settlement's existence and importance. The surrounding plain would have provided the battlefield where the Emim were defeated. Archaeological surveys in the region have identified Iron Age remains at el-Qureiyat, though earlier Bronze Age strata corresponding to the Genesis 14 period have not been extensively documented. The broader Moabite plateau has yielded significant archaeological evidence of settlement from the Early Bronze Age onward, and the region's fertile agricultural land supports the identification of a significant plain settlement in this area.
Verse Appearances (1)
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Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →