Reference: Kerioth

cities. (1.) A town in the south of Judah (Jos 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 (Am 2:2).

("closely contiguous cities".)

1. Read together, without "and," Kerioth Hezron (Kuryetein, "the two cities," now 10 miles S. of Hebron): Jos 15:25; in southern Judah. Hazor implies a pastoral spot; Kerioth, kir ("a wall"), kirjah, imply "military fortifications"; Welsh, caer. The Hazors are in the southern or Negeb plain; the Kirjahs in the hills.

2. A city of Moab (Jer 48:24), named with other places "far and near"; if "far" include 60 miles N.N.E. of Heshbon, then Kerioth is now Kureiyeh and Bozrah is Buzrah. Others conjecture Kureyat; Cyril Graham Kiriath and Kiriatain S.W. of Bozrah, containing primitive and gigantic edifices, the roofs formed of stone beams laid side by side, 25 ft. long, and the doors slabs of single stones; the work probably of the giant Emim, the name Kerioth too being perhaps of Anakim origin.

A city of Moab, named in Jer 48:24,41; Am 2:2, and in line 13 of the Moabite Stone. It has been identified with Ar, the capital city of Moab, as that has been with Rabbah

Keri'oth

1. City in the south of Judah. Jos 15:25. This passage is better read, 'Kerioth-hezron, which is Hazor.' Identified with el Kureitein, 31 21' N, 35 7' E.

2. City of Moab denounced for judgement. Jer 48:24,41. Probably the same as KIRIOTH in Am 2:2.

Ke'rioth

(cities).

1. A name which occurs among the lists of the towns in the southern district of Judah.

Jos 15:25

Supposed by some to have been the birthplace of Judas Iscariot.

2. A city of Moab, named by Jeremiah only,

Jer 48:24