קִרְיַת יְעָרִים

קִרְיַת יְעָרִים

Kirjath-Jearim or Kirjath-Arim, a place in Palestine

Definition

Kirjath-Jearim, meaning 'city of forests' or 'city of towns,' was a significant Gibeonite city in the tribal territory of Judah (Joshua 9:17, Joshua 15:9). It is most famously known as the location where the Ark of the Covenant resided for twenty years after its return from Philistine territory, before David moved it to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 6:21-7:2, 2 Samuel 6:2). The site is also referenced under the variant name Kirjath-Arim (Ezra 2:25, Nehemiah 7:29), and its location is described in boundary lists for Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:60, Joshua 18:14-15, Joshua 18:28).

Biblical Usage

The name is used exclusively as a geographical place name, appearing 19 times across historical books. It is prominent in narratives about the Ark's journey (1 Samuel 6-7, 2 Samuel 6) and in descriptions of tribal allotments and city lists in Joshua and Judges (Joshua 9:17, Joshua 15:9, Judges 18:12). It also appears in post-exilic lists of returning Israelites (Ezra 2:25, Nehemiah 7:29). The usage consistently identifies a specific, known location west of Jerusalem.

Etymology

The name is a compound of the Hebrew word קִרְיָה (qiryâ, H7151), meaning 'city,' and the plural of either יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293), meaning 'forest,' or עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892), meaning 'town.' Thus, it translates as 'city of forests' or 'city of towns.' The variant Kirjath-Arim uses the plural of עִיר. The shortened form 'Kirjath' appears in Joshua 18:28.

Semantic Range

Kirjath-Jearim is theologically significant as the long-term resting place of the Ark of the Covenant after its capture and return, marking a period of Israel's spiritual neglect before its proper relocation to Jerusalem under David (1 Samuel 7:1-2). This transition symbolizes God's presence moving from a peripheral location to the center of national worship, prefiguring the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. Its mention in post-exilic lists also highlights its continuity as a landmark for the returning remnant. As a Gibeonite city (Joshua 9:17), Kirjath-Jearim represented a Canaanite enclave that made a treaty with Israel. Its prominent hilltop location made it a suitable, neutral site for housing the sacred Ark, which was likely kept in the house of Abinadab, a private residence, reflecting a period before a centralized national sanctuary. The name itself suggests it was situated in or near a wooded area, a detail lost to modern readers. Baale of Judah (בַּעֲלֵי יְהוּדָה, H1184) — An alternate name for the same location (2 Samuel 6:2). Kirjath (קִרְיַת, H7157) — A shortened form of the name (Joshua 18:28). Kirjath-Arim (קִרְיַת עָרִים, H7157) — A variant name meaning 'city of towns' (Ezra 2:25).

Word Details