or (Jeremiah 26:20) with the article interposed; or (Joshua 18:28) simply the former part of the word; or קִרְיַת עָרִים; from קִרְיָה and the plural of יַעַר or עִיר; city of forests, or city of towns; Kirjath-Jearim or Kirjath-Arim, a place in Palestine; Kirjath, Kirjath-jearim, Kirjath-arim.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym**, represented by `{{H7157}}`, means "city of forests" or "city of towns." It appears **20 times** across **19 unique verses** in the Bible. This location in Palestine is significant not only as a geographical marker but also for its crucial role in the history of Israel, particularly concerning the Ark of the Covenant. It is also referred to as **Baalah** `{{H1173}}` and **Kirjath-baal** `{{H7154}}` in scripture ([[Joshua 15:9]], [[Joshua 18:14]]).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym** is central to several key events. It became the resting place for the Ark of the LORD `{{H727}}` for **twenty** `{{H6242}}` years after the **Philistines** `{{H6430}}` returned it ([[1 Samuel 6:21]], [[1 Samuel 7:2]]). The **men** `{{H582}}` of the city brought the ark into the **house** `{{H1004}}` of **Abinadab** `{{H41}}` and sanctified his **son** `{{H1121}}` **Eleazar** `{{H499}}` to guard it [[1 Samuel 7:1]]. Years later, **David** `{{H1732}}` gathered all **Israel** `{{H3478}}` to bring the ark up from there to **Jerusalem** `{{H3389}}` [[1 Chronicles 13:5-6]]. Geographically, it served as a boundary **city** `{{H5892}}` for the tribes of **Judah** `{{H3063}}` and **Benjamin** `{{H1144}}` ([[Joshua 15:9]], [[Joshua 18:14]], [[Joshua 18:28]]). The city was also the hometown of the prophet **Urijah** `{{H223}}` [[Jeremiah 26:20]] and the ancestral home for families like the **Ithrites** `{{H3505}}` and **Puhites** `{{H6336}}` [[1 Chronicles 2:53]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related place names and terms help define the context of **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym**:
* `{{H1173}}` **Baʻălâh** (Baalah): This is an alternative name used for **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym**, particularly when David went to retrieve the ark [[1 Chronicles 13:6]] and in descriptions of Judah's border [[Joshua 15:9]].
* `{{H7154}}` **Qiryath Baʻal** (city of Baal): This name is also explicitly equated with **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym** and is listed as a city of the children of **Judah** `{{H3063}}` in the tribal allotments ([[Joshua 15:60]], [[Joshua 18:14]]).
* `{{H1391}}` **Gibʻôwn** (Gibeon): This city is listed alongside **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym** as one of the cities of the Gibeonites with whom **Israel** `{{H3478}}` made a covenant [[Joshua 9:17]].
* `{{H1366}}` **gᵉbûwl** (border): This word is frequently used in connection with **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym**, highlighting its function as a landmark defining the **inheritance** `{{H5159}}` of the tribes ([[Joshua 15:9]], [[Joshua 18:14]], [[Joshua 18:15]]).
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H7157}}` is established through its connection to God's presence and people.
* **Sanctuary for the Ark:** For two decades, **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym** was entrusted with the Ark of the LORD `{{H727}}`, where God's **name** `{{H8034}}` was **called** `{{H7121}}` upon and where He **dwelleth** `{{H3427}}` between the **cherubims** `{{H3742}}` [[1 Chronicles 13:6]]. The men of the city **sanctified** `{{H6942}}` a keeper for the ark, showing reverence for its holiness [[1 Samuel 7:1]].
* **A Place of Inheritance:** Its location on the **border** `{{H1366}}` between **Judah** `{{H3063}}` and **Benjamin** `{{H1144}}` makes it a key site in the fulfillment of God's apportionment of the promised land to the tribes of **Israel** `{{H3478}}` ([[Joshua 18:14]], [[Joshua 18:28]]).
* **Lineage and Prophecy:** The city is identified as the home of the prophet **Urijah** `{{H223}}`, who **prophesied** `{{H5012}}` in the **name** `{{H8034}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` [[Jeremiah 26:20]]. It is also tied to the lineage of **Caleb** `{{H3612}}` through **Shobal** `{{H7732}}`, the "father of **Kirjathjearim**" [[1 Chronicles 2:50]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7157}}` **Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym** is far more than a simple geographical location. It is a place of historical and theological weight, remembered as the sacred guardian of the Ark of the Covenant for a generation. Its role as a boundary city helps define the heritage of God's people, and its association with prophets and patriarchal lineage cements its place in the unfolding narrative of Israel's relationship with **God** `{{H430}}`.
TRV