plural of יַעַר; forests; Jearim, a place in Palestine; Jearim. Compare קִרְיַת יְעָרִים.
Transliteration:Yᵉʻârîym
Pronunciation:yeh-aw-reem'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H3297 (Yᵉʻârîym) is the plural form of `{{H3293}}` (ya'ar), meaning "forest" or "woodland." Thus, its literal meaning is "forests" or "woodlands." However, H3297 primarily functions as a proper noun in the biblical text, referring to a specific place in ancient Israel. This place is most famously known as Kiriath-Jearim (קִרְיַת יְעָרִים), meaning "City of Forests." The name therefore directly reflects the natural landscape of the region, suggesting a location characterized by dense vegetation or timber. While the base meaning points to a physical environment, its semantic range is almost exclusively tied to this significant geographical and historical site.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H3297 (Yᵉʻârîym) appears frequently in the Old Testament, always in reference to the town of Kiriath-Jearim. This city held considerable importance, particularly during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy.
* **Geographical Significance:** Kiriath-Jearim was a border town, situated between the territories of Judah and Benjamin. It is mentioned as part of the inheritance of Judah in [[Joshua 15:9-11]] and [[Joshua 15:60]], and also in the description of Benjamin's border in [[Joshua 18:14-15]]. Its strategic location made it a significant landmark for tribal boundaries.
* **The Ark of the Covenant:** The most prominent role of Kiriath-Jearim in biblical narrative is its function as the resting place for the Ark of the Covenant for an extended period. After the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel, it was brought to Kiriath-Jearim and housed in the house of Abinadab on the hill, where his son Eleazar was consecrated to guard it ([[1 Samuel 6:21]], [[1 Samuel 7:1-2]]). The Ark remained there for twenty years, a period of spiritual decline and national distress, until King David orchestrated its transfer to Jerusalem ([[1 Chronicles 13:5-6]], [[2 Chronicles 1:4]]). This long sojourn in Kiriath-Jearim highlights a unique phase in Israel's relationship with God's manifest presence.
* **Other References:** The city is also mentioned in lists of returnees from exile ([[Nehemiah 7:29]]) and in prophetic contexts, such as Jeremiah's account of Uriah the prophet, who was from Kiriath-Jearim ([[Jeremiah 26:20]]). It was also known by other names, such as Baalah ([[Joshua 15:9]], [[1 Chronicles 13:6]]) and Kirjath-Baal ([[Joshua 15:60]]), possibly reflecting earlier Canaanite associations before its Israelite settlement.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H3293}}` (ya'ar), the singular form of "forest" or "woodland," from which H3297 is derived. This connection emphasizes the natural environment that likely characterized the city.
Concepts related to H3297 include:
* **Geographical Markers:** Many biblical place names are derived from natural features, such as mountains, valleys, or water sources. Kiriath-Jearim fits this pattern, indicating a common naming convention.
* **Borders and Boundaries:** As a border town, Kiriath-Jearim is associated with the concept of tribal allocations and the division of the land among the Israelite tribes.
* **The Ark of the Covenant:** The profound theological significance of the Ark links Kiriath-Jearim to the themes of divine presence, holiness, and the proper worship of God. Its presence there for decades underscores a period of Israelite spiritual dormancy concerning the Ark's central role.
* **High Places (Bamah):** The Ark was kept on "the hill" (giba'ah) in Kiriath-Jearim, suggesting a prominent elevation, a common location for cultic sites, though this instance was divinely ordained due to the circumstances.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Kiriath-Jearim, and by extension H3297, is inextricably linked to the Ark of the Covenant's lengthy residence there.
* **Divine Presence in Obscurity:** The Ark, representing the very presence of God among His people, remained in a relatively obscure private home in Kiriath-Jearim for twenty years. This period contrasts sharply with its intended place in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It underscores a time when God's manifest presence, though still among Israel, was not properly honored or centrally integrated into the national worship.
* **Human Neglect and Fear:** The people of Israel, having witnessed the devastating consequences of mishandling the Ark (e.g., Uzzah's death), seemed reluctant or fearful to bring it back into public life. Kiriath-Jearim thus became a temporary, yet prolonged, sanctuary for the Ark, reflecting a period of spiritual apathy or apprehension within the nation.
* **Awaiting Restoration:** The Ark's eventual removal from Kiriath-Jearim by King David marked a significant theological turning point. It symbolized the re-establishment of proper worship and the re-centralization of God's presence in the life of the nation, culminating in its placement in Jerusalem. Kiriath-Jearim, therefore, serves as a poignant reminder of a period of divine patience and human spiritual immaturity, awaiting a leader who would prioritize God's glory.
* **God's Presence Beyond Cultic Centers:** While ideal worship was centered, the Ark's presence in a seemingly ordinary town like Kiriath-Jearim also subtly teaches that God's presence is not confined solely to grand temples or designated holy sites, but can reside wherever His people, even in their imperfection, make a place for Him.
### Summary
H3297 (Yᵉʻârîym) literally means "forests" but functions exclusively as a proper noun, designating Kiriath-Jearim, the "City of Forests." This town, located on the border between Judah and Benjamin, gained its most profound biblical significance as the prolonged dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant after its return from Philistine captivity. For two decades, the Ark resided in the house of Abinadab, symbolizing a period of relative spiritual dormancy and human apprehension regarding God's manifest presence. Kiriath-Jearim thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring presence even in periods of national spiritual neglect, awaiting the time of proper reverence and restoration under King David, who eventually brought the Ark to Jerusalem. Its name, rooted in the natural landscape, provides a subtle backdrop to its pivotal role in Israel's sacred history.
TRV