Bible Location

Kiriath-Jearim

Also known as: Kiriath-Jearim City in Gibeon

Kiriath-Jearim was a town west of Jerusalem on the border between Judah and Benjamin. It was one of four towns associated with the Gibeonites and later became particularly important as the place where the Ark of the Covenant remained before David brought it to Jerusalem.

The town was also known by names including Kiriath-Baal and Baalah, reflecting an earlier association with Canaanite religious tradition.

Kiriath-Jearim is widely identified with Deir el-Azar, a prominent hill overlooking modern Abu Ghosh west of Jerusalem.

Biblical Significance

Joshua identifies Kiriath-Jearim as one of the four cities of the Gibeonites who made a covenant with Israel. It subsequently appears in the descriptions of the tribal boundaries of Judah and Benjamin.

After the Philistines returned the captured Ark of the Covenant, it was eventually brought from Beth-shemesh to Kiriath-Jearim. The Ark was placed in the house of Abinadab, and Eleazar his son was consecrated to guard it.

First Samuel states that the Ark remained there for many years. After establishing Jerusalem as his capital, David gathered the people to bring the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem.

The city thus forms an important geographical link between the period of the judges and the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel's central royal and religious city.

Historical Background

Kiriath-Jearim occupied a commanding hill along the important route connecting the coastal plain with Jerusalem. Its strategic position allowed control of movement through the surrounding highlands.

Recent archaeological excavation at Deir el-Azar has revealed occupation from numerous periods and substantial development during the Iron Age. Researchers have also investigated a large elevated platform dominating the summit of the site.

The archaeological evidence demonstrates the importance of the settlement but does not independently verify the biblical statement that the Ark was housed there.

Modern Identification

Kiriath-Jearim is widely identified with Deir el-Azar above Abu Ghosh, approximately eight miles west-northwest of Jerusalem.

The identification is supported by historical geography, ancient descriptions of its distance from Jerusalem, the preservation of related place names, and the commanding location of the archaeological mound.

AVWJ can present this identification with considerable confidence while distinguishing the identification of the town from attempts to locate the specific house of Abinadab or resting place of the Ark.

Scripture References

Joshua 9:17 Joshua 15:60 1 Samuel 6:21 1 Samuel 7:1 2 Samuel 6:2 1 Chronicles 13:6

Related Resources

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Sources

Bible: Joshua 9:17, Joshua 15:9-60, Joshua 18:14-15, 1 Samuel 6:21-7:2, 2 Samuel 6:1-11, 1 Chronicles 13:5-14; Eusebius, Onomasticon; Shmunis Family Excavations at Kiriath-Jearim; archaeological studies of Deir el-Azar and Abu Ghosh