Bible Dictionary
Kiriathaim
Kiriathaim names a Moabite city east of the Jordan that was assigned to Reuben and later held by Moab. It also names a city in Naphtali assigned to the Gershonite Levites.
Definition
Kiriathaim is the name of two cities. One was a city in the uplands of Moab, given by Moses to Reuben; the other was a city in Naphtali assigned to the Gershonite Levites.
Biblical Usage
The Moabite Kiriathaim is mentioned in connection with Reuben, Moab, and the prophetic messages against Moab. The Naphtalite Kiriathaim appears in the list of Levitical cities and corresponds to Kartan.
Historical Background
The Moabite city was associated with Shaveh-kiriathaim and has been identified with sites near Madaba, though the precise identification is uncertain. Mesha claimed to have fortified it.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[KIRJATHAIM]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kir-i-aitha'-im (qiryathaym, "two cities"; the King James Version, Kirjathaim):</p><p>(1) A city in the uplands of Moab formerly held by Sihon, and given by Moses to Reuben, who is said to have fortified it (Nu 32:37; Jos 13:19). It is named along with Elealeh and Nebo in the former passage, and with Sibmah in the latter. It was in the hands of Moab in Mesha's time, and he claims to have fortified it (M S, l.10). For Jeremiah (48:1,23) and Ezekiel (25:9) it is a Moabite town. Eusebius, Onomasticon, identifies it with Coraitha, a Christian village 10 Roman miles West of Madeba. This is the modern Qaraiyat, about 11 miles West of Madeba, and 5 miles East of Macherus. This, however, may represent Kerioth, while the towns with which it is named would lead us to look for Kiriathaim to the North of Wady Zerqa Ma`in. From this city was named Shaveh-kiriathaim, "the plain of Kiriathaim" (Ge 14:5).</p><p>(2) A city in the territory of Naphtali, assigned to the Gershonite Levites (1Ch 6:76), corresponding to "Kartan" in Jos 21:32.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>