The Hebrew name Qîyr Cheres, represented by H7025, refers to a place in Moab. Its name means "fortress of earthenware" and it appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. It is also referred to as Kir-haraseth, Kir-hareseth, Kirharesh, and Kir-heres.
In the biblical narrative, H7025 consistently appears in the context of judgment and destruction against Moab H4124. During a military campaign, the cities of Moab were beaten down H2040, but in Kir-haraseth, the stones were left until slingers H7051 went about it and smote H5221 it 2 Kings 3:25. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah use the city as a focal point for intense mourning over Moab's downfall. The response to its destruction is described as a deep, internal grief, where the heart H3820 and bowels H4578 sound like pipes H2485 or a harp H3658 (Isaiah 16:11, Jeremiah 48:36).
Several related words expand upon the themes of mourning and destruction associated with Kir-heres:
- H1993 hâmâh (to make a loud sound... mourn, roar): This word describes the visceral, audible grief for Kir-heres, as one's heart shall "sound" like pipes for its men Jeremiah 48:36 and one's bowels "shall sound" for the city Isaiah 16:11.
- H3213 yâlal (to howl): This is the commanded response to the judgment upon Moab and its cities. The prophets declare that Moab shall "howl" for Moab, and they will specifically "howl" for Kir-heres (Isaiah 16:7, Jeremiah 48:31).
- H1897 hâgâh (to murmur... mourn, mutter): This word captures the sorrowful response to the city's fate. The people are to "mourn" for the foundations of Kir-hareseth Isaiah 16:7, and the heart "shall mourn" for its men Jeremiah 48:31.
- H2040 hâraç (to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy): This verb is used to describe the actions of the armies that "beat down" the cities of Moab, providing the context for the siege of Kir-haraseth itself 2 Kings 3:25.
The theological weight of H7025 is tied to the prophetic pronouncements against Moab.
- A Symbol of Judgment: Kir-heres is a primary subject of divine judgment. Its foundations H808 are described as "stricken" H5218 Isaiah 16:7, and the riches H3502 of its men are "perished" H6 Jeremiah 48:36.
- Fallen Strength: The name "fortress of earthenware" suggests a stronghold that is ultimately fragile. Its destruction by being "smitten" H5221 by slingers H7051 demonstrates the futility of man-made defenses against divine judgment 2 Kings 3:25.
- Cause for Great Lament: The fall of the city elicits an unusually deep and personal sorrow. The calls to "howl" H3213 and the internal sounding of the heart H3820 and bowels H4578 signify the profound loss and desolation connected to its ruin (Isaiah 16:11, Jeremiah 48:31).
In summary, H7025 is more than just a place name; it is a symbol within the prophetic oracles against Moab H4124. As the "fortress of earthenware," it represents a place of apparent security that is ultimately broken under judgment. The narratives surrounding its fall, from the military account in 2 Kings to the sorrowful laments in Isaiah and Jeremiah, portray it as a focal point for the destruction and profound grief that befell the nation of Moab.
TRV