Bible Dictionary
Kartan
Kartan was a city of Naphtali assigned to the Gershonite Levites and designated as a city of refuge. It is also called Kiriathaim in a parallel list.
Definition
Kartan was a city in Naphtali assigned to the Gershonite Levites. It is called Kiriathaim in a parallel list. The name is explained as “double city.”
Biblical Usage
Kartan appears among the Levitical cities given to the Gershonites. The parallel name Kiriathaim is found in Chronicles.
Historical Background
Kartan may be a contraction or variant of Kiriathaim, though the supplied material also records suggestions that both names may derive from another place. It is not securely identified in the list of Naphtalite cities.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Double city, a town of Naphali, assigned to the Gershonite Levites, and one of the cities of refuge (Josh. 21:32). It was probably near the north-western shore of the Sea of Tiberias, identical with the ruined village el-Katanah.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(double city), a city of Naphtali, allotted to the Gershonite Levites. (Joshua 21:32) in the parallel list of (1 Chronicles 6:1) the name appears, ver (1 Chronicles 6:76) in the more expanded form of KIRJATHAIM.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kar'-tan (qartan): A city in the territory of Naphtali, given to the Gershonite Levites (Jos 21:32). It is called Kiriathaim in 1Ch 6:76. Kartan may be a contraction of this. Cheyne (EB, under the word) suggests that both names may be corruptions from "Chinnereth." Neither is mentioned in Jos 19:32,38, in the list of Naphtalite cities, while Chinnereth is.</p>