or (feminine of the latter word) קִיר חֲרֶשֶׂת; from קִיר and חֶרֶשׂ; fortress of earthenware; Kir-Cheres or Kir-Chareseth, a place in Moab; Kir-haraseth, Kir-hareseth, Kirharesh, Kir-heres.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]]).
### Summary
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