Topical Encyclopedia
Kerioth is a location mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament, and is associated with the tribe of Moab. The name "Kerioth" is derived from the Hebrew word "qiryah," meaning "cities" or "towns," suggesting a place of multiple settlements or a fortified city. It is often identified with the modern site of el-Qaryat, located in present-day Jordan.
Biblical References:1.
Jeremiah 48:24, 41 : Kerioth is mentioned in the context of the prophet Jeremiah's oracle against Moab. In
Jeremiah 48:24, it is listed among the cities of Moab that will face judgment: "upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far and near." Later, in
Jeremiah 48:41, the prophecy continues, "Kerioth has been captured, and the strongholds seized. In that day the hearts of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor."
2.
Amos 2:2 : The prophet Amos also speaks of Kerioth in his pronouncement against Moab: "So I will send fire upon Moab, and it will consume the citadels of Kerioth; Moab will die in the tumult, with a war cry and the blast of the trumpet."
Historical and Geographical Context:Kerioth was a significant city within the territory of Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea. Moab was often in conflict with Israel, and its cities, including Kerioth, were subject to prophetic judgments due to their idolatry and opposition to God's people. The city's mention alongside other prominent Moabite locations underscores its importance in the region.
Cultural and Theological Significance:In the biblical narrative, Kerioth represents the broader theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God's will and engage in idolatry. The prophecies concerning Kerioth highlight the sovereignty of God over all nations and His ability to bring about justice and retribution. The destruction of Kerioth serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the futility of relying on human strength and fortified cities for protection.
New Testament Connection:Some scholars have speculated that Kerioth might be linked to Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. The name "Iscariot" is thought by some to mean "man of Kerioth," suggesting that Judas may have hailed from this region. However, this connection remains speculative and is not definitively supported by biblical texts.
Kerioth's role in the biblical narrative, as seen through the lens of prophecy and judgment, provides insight into the historical interactions between Israel and its neighboring nations, as well as the overarching biblical themes of justice, repentance, and the sovereignty of God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Kerioththe cities; the callings
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Kerioth(cities).
- A name which occurs among the lists of the towns in the southern district of Judah. (Joshua 15:25) Supposed by some to have been the birthplace of Judas Iscariot.
- A city of Moab, named by Jeremiah only, (Jeremiah 48:24)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Cities.
(1.) A town in the south of Judah (Joshua 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. (seeHAZOR).
(2.) A city of Moab (Jeremiah 48:24, 41), called Kirioth (Amos 2:2).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KERIOTHke'-ri-oth, -oth (qeriyoth):
(1) A city of Moab, named with Beth-meon and Bozrah (Jeremiah 48:24, 41). Here was a sanctuary of Chemosh, to which Mesha says (M S, l. 13) he dragged "the altar hearths of Davdoh." It may possibly be represented by the modern Kuraiat, between Diban and `Attarus. Some (e.g. Driver onAmos 2:2) think it may be only another name for Ar-Moab. Buhl (GAP, 270) would identify it with Kir of Moab (Kerak). No certainty is yet possible.
(2) A city of Judah (Joshua 15:25; the Revised Version (British and American) KERIOTH-HEZRON (which see)), possibly the modern el-Kuryatain, to the Northeast of Tell `Arad.
W. Ewing
Greek
2469. Iskariotes -- Iscariot, surname of Judas and his father... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Iskariotes Phonetic Spelling:
(is-kar-ee-o'-tace) Short Definition: Iscariot, a man of
Kerioth Definition: Iscariot
...Strong's Hebrew
7152. Qeriyyoth -- a city in Judah, also a city in Moab... a city in Judah, also a city in Moab. Transliteration: Qeriyyoth Phonetic Spelling:
(ker-ee-yoth') Short Definition:
Kerioth. Word Origin pl.
...Kerioth, Kirioth.
...2696. Chetsron -- two Israelites, also two places in Judah
... Word Origin from the same as chatser Definition two Isr., also two places in Judah
NASB Word Usage Hezron (16), Hezron's (1),Kerioth-hezron* (1). Hezron....
Library
The Disciples of Jesus.
... Lastly, Judas, son of Simon, of the town ofKerioth, who was an exception in the
faithful flock, and drew upon himself such a terrible notoriety....
Last Week of Jesus.
... them with her long hair.[6] All the house was filled with the odor of the perfume,
to the great delight of every one except the avaricious Judas ofKerioth....
[Endnotes]
... [37:3] See Joshua 15:25. [37:4] Hence called Iscariot, that is, IshKerioth, or,
a man ofKerioth. See Alford, Greek Test., Matthew 10:4. [37:5] Acts 2:7....
Feeding Upon Christ.
... surname but evidently designates place. They were men ofKerioth, a place
in Judah named in Joshua 15:25. Some have endeavored to...
Institutions of Jesus.
... son of Cleophas; Philip; Nathaniel bar-Tolmai; Thomas; Levi, or Matthew, the son
of Alphaeus; Simon Zelotes; Thaddeus or Lebbaeus; and Judas ofKerioth.[2] It...
Fate of the Enemies of Jesus.
... [Footnote 1: Jos., Ant., XVIII. vii.1, 2; BJ, II. ix.6.]. As to the wretched Judas
ofKerioth, terrible legends were current about his death....
The Twelve and the Seventy.
... It has been supposed that a town calledKerioth, [37:3] or Karioth, belonging to
the tribe of Judah, was the birthplace of Judas, the traitor; [37:4] but it is...
The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
... Besides, from previous conversations, they may also have judged that the man of
Kerioth' would fain escape what the Lord had all that day been telling them...
The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest...
... history. We remember, that Judas, the man ofKerioth,' was, so far as we
know, the only disciple of Jesus from the province of Jud??a....
After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... executive ability. He was called Iscariot from his native cityKerioth, which
pertained to Judah"Joshua 15:25.]. Footnotes: [4] {*} NOTE...
Thesaurus
Kerioth (4 Occurrences)...KERIOTH. ke'-ri-oth, -oth (qeriyoth): (1) A city of Moab, named with Beth-meon
and Bozrah (Jeremiah 48:24, 41).
...Kerioth (4 Occurrences).
...Kerioth-hezron (1 Occurrence)
Kerioth-hezron. Keriothhezron,Kerioth-hezron. Ker'i-oth-hezron .
Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaKERIOTH-HEZRON. ke'-ri...
Keriothhezron
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaKERIOTH-HEZRON.... It has been suggested thatKerioth
was the birth place of JUDAS ISCARIOT (which see). CompareKERIOTH, 2....
Hazor (19 Occurrences)
... (4.) "Kerioth and Hezron" (Joshua... This place has been identified with el-Kuryetein,
and has been supposed to be the home of Judas Iscariot. (seeKERIOTH.). Int....
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... (1.) The patriarch (Matthew 1:2, 3). (2.) Son of Simon (John 6:71; 13:2,
26), surnamed Iscariot, ie, a man ofKerioth (Joshua 15:25)....
Iscariot (11 Occurrences)
... is-kar'-i-ot (Ioudas Iskariotes, ie 'ish qeriyoth, "Judas, man ofKerioth"): One
of the twelve apostles and the betrayer of Jesus; for etymology, etc., see...
Ker'ioth (1 Occurrence)
Ker'ioth.Kerioth, Ker'ioth. Ker'i-oth . Multi-Version Concordance Ker'ioth
(1 Occurrence).... (See RSV).Kerioth, Ker'ioth. Ker'i-oth . Reference Bible.
Ker'i-oth-hezron (1 Occurrence)
Ker'i-oth-hezron.Kerioth-hezron, Ker'i-oth-hezron. Kerith .... Joshua 15:25 and
Hazor, and Hadattah, andKerioth, and Hezron--the same is Hazor; (See RSV)....
Strongholds (44 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:41Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of
the mighty men of Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her...
Resources
Who was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.orgDid the people in the Bible have last names? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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