Kerioth-hezron
Kerioth-hezron is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet el Qaryatein. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Kerioth-hezron, also known as Hazor, appears in Joshua 15:25 within the catalog of cities belonging to the tribe of Judah in the Negev district. The compound name suggests either a city called Kerioth associated with a person or clan named Hezron, or a settlement that combined two originally distinct communities. The parenthetical identification with Hazor in the biblical text ("Kerioth-hezron, that is, Hazor") distinguishes this southern Judahite settlement from the far more prominent Hazor in the Galilee. Located in the arid Negev region, Kerioth-hezron was one of the twenty-nine cities with their villages listed as belonging to Judah's southernmost district (Joshua 15:21-32). These frontier settlements marked the extent of Israelite habitation bordering the Wilderness of Zin and Edomite territory. While no specific narrative events are recorded at Kerioth-hezron, the detailed preservation of its name in the tribal allotment lists reflects the thoroughness with which Israel documented the divine apportioning of the Promised Land to each tribe.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Kerioth-hezron is identified with Khirbet el-Qaryatein, situated in the northern Negev region of modern Israel, approximately 10 kilometers south of Tell Arad. The site name preserves the dual form of the Semitic root for "town" (qiryat), consistent with the biblical compound name. Archaeological surveys have documented Iron Age remains at the site, including pottery and structural foundations indicating a small to medium settlement. The northern Negev region experienced fluctuating settlement intensity during the Iron Age, with peaks during periods of strong central government in Jerusalem. The proximity to Arad, a well-excavated Israelite fortress city, provides useful context for understanding the network of Judahite settlements in this frontier zone. The site today is largely unexcavated, and the surrounding landscape is used for seasonal agriculture and grazing.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →