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Shaveh-Kiriathaim

Locations
Modern Location Southern Jordan, likely near the Wadi al-Hasa
Coordinates 31.1500, 35.6500

Geographical Setting

An ancient Moabite city-state situated in the arid steppe region south of the Dead Sea.

What is the meaning of Shaveh-Kiriathaim in the Bible?

Kiriathaim, also known as Shaveh-Kiriathaim, was a prominent fortified city of Moab located in the fertile plain of the same name, serving as a strategic stronghold in the southern Levant during the second millennium BCE.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identifying Kiriathaim clarifies the geographical scope of biblical narratives concerning Moab, illustrating the extent of its territorial influence and its role as a buffer zone between the Transjordanian highlands and the Arabian desert.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Shaveh-Kiriathaim (located near modern Southern Jordan, likely near the Wadi al-Hasa) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Shaveh-Kiriathaim in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Shaveh-Kiriathaim clarify?

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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Shaveh-Kiriathaim." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shavehkiriathaim/
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