Reference: Kiriath-jearim
Hastings
One of the cities of the Gibeonites (Jos 9:17), occupied by the Danites (Jg 18:12), on the border between Judah and Benjamin (Jos 15:9; 18:14). From there David brought up the ark (2Sa 6:2; 1Ch 13:5; 2Ch 1:4). Its older name appears to have been Kiriath-baal (Jos 15:60) or Baalah. (Jos 15:9-10; 1Ch 13:6). It is also mentioned as Baale Judah (2Sa 6:2), and through a textual error as Kiriath-arim (Ezr 2:25; cf. Ne 7:29). It was probably, like Kedesh, Gezer, etc., an old Canaanite 'high place.' In Jer 26:20 it is mentioned as the home of Uriah the prophet, the son of Shemaiah. See also 1Ch 2:50,53,1Es 5:19 [in this last passage it is called Kariathiarius]. The site of this important ancient sanctuary and frontier town has been very generally accepted, since the 5th cent. a.d., as close to that of the modern Kuriet el-'Enab, a flourishing little village on the high-road from Jaffa to Jerusalem, about 9 miles from the latter. The ancient remains are to the W. of the village, but a handsome Crusading Church in the village itself has recently been restored. Kuriet el-'Enab is generally known as Abu Ghosh, after a family of semi-hrigands of that name who established themselves there nearly a century ago, and for long held the whole surrounding country at their mercy. Another site, which has been powerfully advocated by Conder, is Khurbet 'Erma, on the S. of the Vale of Sorek, just where the narrow valley opens into the plain. The similarity of 'arim (Ezr 2:25) and 'erma, and the nearness of the site to Zorah and Eshtaol, are in its favour. There, too, are ancient remains, and a great rock platform which would appear to mark an ancient 'high place.' On the other hand, it is far from the other cities of the Gibeonltes (Jos 9:17). The question cannot he considered as settled.
E. W. G. Masterman.