Bible Dictionary
Kir-haraseth
Kir-haraseth was a fortified city of Moab, also called Kir-hareseth or Kir-heres. During Jehoram’s campaign against Moab, King Mesha took refuge there.
Definition
Kir-haraseth, also called Kir-haresh, Kir-hareseth, or Kir-heres, was a fortified city of Moab. It was the refuge of Mesha, king of Moab, during Jehoram’s campaign against him.
Biblical Usage
After the allied armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom drove Mesha back, he took refuge in Kir-haraseth. There he offered his eldest son as a burnt offering on the city wall, after which the invaders withdrew and Mesha retained the independence of Moab.
Historical Background
Kir-haraseth is identified in the supplied material with modern Kerak, a fortified town on a steep hill near the Dead Sea and Rabbath-Moab.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Built fortress, a city and fortress of Moab, the modern Kerak, a small town on the brow of a steep hill about 6 miles from Rabbath-Moab and 10 miles from the Dead Sea; called also Kir-haresh, Kir-hareseth, Kir-heres (Isa. 16:7, 11; Jer. 48:31, 36). After the death of Ahab, Mesha, king of Moab (see MOABITE STONE), threw off allegiance to the king of Israel, and fought successfully for the independence of his kingdom. After this Jehoram, king of Israel, in seeking to regain his supremacy over Moab, entered into an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and with the king of Edom. The three kings led their armies against Mesha, who was driven back to seek refuge in Kir-haraseth. The Moabites were driven to despair. Mesha then took his eldest son, who would have reigned in his stead, and offered him as a burnt-offering on the wall of the fortress in the sight of the allied armies. “There was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.” The invaders evacuated the land of Moab, and Mesha achieved the independence of his country (2 Kings 3:20-27).