Kiriath-Baal
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Judean city identified with Kiriath-jearim, known for housing the Ark of the Covenant during the period of the Judges and early monarchy.
What is the meaning of Kiriath-Baal in the Bible?
Kiriath-baal is a biblical toponym appearing in 1 Chronicles 13:6 and 2 Samuel 6:2, widely recognized by scholars as an alternative designation for Kiriath-jearim, likely referencing its association with the local deity Baal or its status as a fortified city.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Kiriath-baal as Kiriath-jearim clarifies the geographical setting of the Ark's twenty-year residence, illustrating the transition of religious authority from the tabernacle at Shiloh to a centralized location in Judah before the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.