Kiriath
The Name and Its Meaning
Kiriath is a Hebrew word meaning simply "city" or "town." It appears in Joshua 18:28 as the name of a settlement in the tribal territory of Benjamin. Most scholars understand this as an abbreviated reference to Kiriath-jearim, one of the most important cities in the Benjamin-Judah border region. The shortening of compound place names was common in ancient Hebrew usage.
Identification with Kiriath-jearim
Kiriath-jearim (meaning "city of forests") was a significant town located on the border between the territories of Benjamin and Judah. It is identified with the modern site of Tell el-Azhar near Abu Ghosh, on the main road between Jerusalem and the coastal plain. The town was originally a Gibeonite city (Joshua 9:17) and later became famous as the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested for twenty years after its return from Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 7:1-2).
The site has also been identified with Kuriet el-Enab ("town of grapes"), a name that reflects the agricultural richness of the area. This identification has been proposed based on the location's position on the Jerusalem-Jaffa road and the preservation of elements of the ancient name.
Kiriath in Benjamin's Allotment
Joshua 18:28 lists Kiriath among the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, alongside Jerusalem (referred to as Jebus), Gibeon, and other towns. The inclusion of Kiriath in Benjamin's territory is consistent with the town's border location, as both Benjamin and Judah had claims to settlements in this region. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles place Kiriath-jearim's founder among the descendants of both tribal groups.
The Ark at Kiriath-jearim
The most significant event associated with Kiriath-jearim was the housing of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Philistines captured the ark and experienced divine plagues, they returned it to Israelite territory. It came first to Beth-shemesh and then was brought to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained in the house of Abinadab on the hill (1 Samuel 7:1-2). The ark stayed there until David brought it to Jerusalem with great celebration (2 Samuel 6:2-15; 1 Chronicles 13:5-6).
This twenty-year period represents a time when Israel was without a central sanctuary, and the ark's presence in a private home rather than a public shrine reflects the disorganized state of Israelite worship during the late period of the judges.
Kiriath as a Common Element
The word "kiriath" appears as a component in several other biblical place names: Kiriath-arba (the old name for Hebron, Genesis 23:2), Kiriath-sepher (another name for Debir, Joshua 15:15), and Kiriathaim (a Transjordanian town, Numbers 32:37). In each case, the basic meaning of "city" is combined with a qualifying term to create a distinctive place name.
Archaeological Evidence
Excavations and surveys at the sites associated with Kiriath-jearim have revealed remains from the Bronze and Iron Ages, consistent with continuous occupation during the biblical period. The site's strategic position on a hilltop overlooking the road from the coast to Jerusalem made it a natural location for an important settlement.
Biblical Context
Kiriath appears in Joshua 18:28 in Benjamin's city list and is generally identified with Kiriath-jearim, which features in Joshua 9:17, 1 Samuel 6:21-7:2, 2 Samuel 6:2, and 1 Chronicles 13:5-6. The town served as the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant for twenty years before David brought it to Jerusalem.
Theological Significance
Kiriath-jearim's role as the resting place of the ark highlights God's patience with His people during times of spiritual disorder. The ark's presence in a private home rather than a proper sanctuary reflects Israel's need for centralized worship, which would eventually be established in Jerusalem under David and Solomon.
Historical Background
Kiriath-jearim has been identified with Tell el-Azhar near Abu Ghosh, approximately eight miles west of Jerusalem. Archaeological work at the site has uncovered remains from the Early Bronze Age through the Iron Age. The town sat at a strategic crossroads connecting the coastal plain with the Judean highlands. French-Israeli excavations beginning in 2017 have revealed a massive Iron Age platform that may have supported a significant structure, possibly related to the ark's presence at the site.