Bible Dictionary
Kerioth
Kerioth names a town in southern Judah and a city of Moab. The Judahite place may be connected with the name Iscariot, though the identification is not certain.
Definition
Kerioth is the name of two places: a town in southern Judah and a city of Moab. The Judahite town is possibly connected with the name Iscariot, though that identification is not certain.
Biblical Usage
The Judahite Kerioth is listed among the cities of Judah. The Moabite Kerioth is named in prophetic passages concerning Moab.
Historical Background
The Judahite site has been identified with el-Kuryatain or el-Kureitein, though the identification is uncertain. The Moabite city may be represented by Kuraiat, Kir of Moab, or another site; no certainty is possible.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Cities. (1.) A town in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:25). Judas the traitor was probably a native of this place, and hence his name Iscariot. It has been identified with the ruins of el-Kureitein, about 10 miles south of Hebron. (See HAZOR [4]). (2.) A city of Moab (Jer. 48:24, 41), called Kirioth (Amos 2:2).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(cities).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ke'-ri-oth, -oth (qeriyoth):</p><p>(1) A city of Moab, named with Beth-meon and Bozrah (Jer 48:24,41). Here was a sanctuary of Chemosh, to which Mesha says (M S, l. 13) he dragged "the altar hearths of Davdoh." It may possibly be represented by the modern Kuraiat, between Diban and `Attarus. Some (e.g. Driver on Am 2:2) think it may be only another name for Ar-Moab. Buhl (GAP, 270) would identify it with Kir of Moab (Kerak). No certainty is yet possible.</p><p>(2) A city of Judah (Jos 15:25; the Revised Version (British and American) KERIOTH-HEZRON (which see)), possibly the modern el-Kuryatain, to the Northeast of Tell `Arad.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>