The meaning of “קִרְיַת יְעָרִים”
Understanding Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or (Jeremiah 26:20) with the article interposed; or (Joshua 18:28) simply the former part of the word; or קִרְיַת עָרִים...
קִרְיַת יְעָרִים
or (Jeremiah 26:20) with the article interposed; or (Joshua 18:28) simply the former part of the word; or קִרְיַת עָרִים Qiryath ʻÂrîym (keer-yath' aw-reem'); from קִרְיָה and the plural of יַעַר or עִיר; city of forests, or city of towns Kirjath, Kirjath-jearim, Kirjath-arim. - § Kirjath-jearim = "city of forests" - Kirjath-Jearim or Kirjath-Arim, a place in Palestine 1) a city on the northern boundary of Judah and on the western and southern boundaries of Benjamin 1a) also 'Kirjath-baal' and 'Baalah'
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua 18:14 | “And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth–horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath–baal, which is Kirjath–jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.” Word: קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym) | |
| Judges 18:12 | “And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath–jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh–dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath–jearim.” Word: קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym) | |
| 1 Samuel 7:1 | “And the men of Kirjath–jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.” Word: קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym) | |
| 1 Chronicles 2:53 | “And the families of Kirjath–jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites.” Word: קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym) | |
| 2 Chronicles 1:4 | “But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath–jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.” Word: קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym) |