summit of Attarus, the high place near the city, that the soothsayer first
saw the encampments of Israel.
- KIRJATH-JEARIM city of jaars; i.e., of woods or forests, a Gibeonite
town (Joshua 9:17) on the border of Benjamin, to which tribe it was
assigned (18:15, 28). The ark was brought to this place (1 Samuel 7:1, 2)
from Beth-shemesh and put in charge of Abinadab, a Levite. Here it
remained till it was removed by David to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:2, 3, 12; 1
Chronicles 15:1-29; comp. Psalm 132). It was also called Baalah (Joshua
15:9) and Kirjath-baal (60). It has been usually identified with Kuriet
el-‘Enab (i.e., “city of grapes”), among the hills, about 8 miles north-east
of ‘Ain Shems (i.e., Beth-shemesh). The opinion, however, that it is to be
identified with ‘Erma, 4 miles east of ‘Ain Shems, on the edge of the valley
of Sorek, seems to be better supported. (See KIRJATH.)
The words of Psalm 132:6, “We found it in the fields of the wood,” refer
to the sojourn of the ark at Kirjath-jearim. “Wood” is here the rendering of
the Hebrew word jaar, which is the singular of jearim.
- KIRJATH-SANNAH city of the sannah; i.e., of the palm(?), Joshua
15:49; the same as Kirjath-sepher (15:16; Judges 1:11) and Debir (q.v.), a
Canaanitish royal city included in Judah (Joshua 10:38; 15:49), and
probably the chief seat of learning among the Hittites. It was about 12
miles to the south-west of Hebron. - KIRJATH-SEPHER city of books, Joshua 15:15; same as Kirjath-sannah
(q.v.), now represented by the valley of ed-Dhaberiyeh, south-west of
Hebron. The name of this town is an evidence that the Canaanites were
acquainted with writing and books. “The town probably contained a noted
school, or was the site of an oracle and the residence of some learned
priest.” The “books” were probably engraved stones or bricks. - KIR OF MOAB Isaiah 15:1. The two strongholds of Moab were Ar and
Kir, which latter is probably the Kir-haraseth (16:7) following. - KISH a bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 23:21;
24:29).
(2.) A Benjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:30; 9:36).
(3.) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:12).
(4.) The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5).