קְרִיּוֹת
𐤒𐤓𐤉𐤅𐤕
Qeriot
H7152 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to places named 'Kerioth' (literally 'towns' or 'settlements'), used in reference to at least two locales: one in Moab (east of the Jordan) and one in the southern territory of Judah. The standard meaning is 'towns,' signifying a collection of settlements or urban spaces. In context, the word refers to named locations rather than to generic clusters of buildings.
Semantic Range
towns, settlements, walled towns, proper name for a locale (Kerioth in Moab, Kerioth in Judah)
Root / Etymology
From the root ק-ר-י (קִרְיָה, qiryah), meaning 'town' or 'city.' The plural form קְרִיּוֹת (qᵉrîyôwth) means 'towns' or 'cities.' Used as a toponym for specific sites. The root itself relates to gathering or organizing settlements, but as a proper noun Kerioth functions as a place name rather than a descriptive plural noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical context, קְרִיּוֹת is primarily encountered as a place name: (1) Kerioth in Moab, referenced in prophetic oracles (Jeremiah 48:24, 41; Amos 2:2), and (2) Kerioth in southern Judah, listed among towns of the Judahite territory (Joshua 15:25). The etymological sense ('towns') is retained in these toponyms but does not indicate multiple urban centers at each site; rather, it reflects either the original structure of the settlement, its role as a collection of hamlets, or a founding concept. The term should be distinguished from the singular קִרְיָה ('town, city') and the more common עִיר ('city'), with קִרְיָה often signifying a walled or fortified settlement of notable status. English translations render the name 'Kerioth' or sometimes 'Kirioth,' reflecting the Hebrew pronunciation rather than providing a meaning. In late antique and medieval Jewish tradition, interpretations sometimes associated Kerioth in Judah with the possible birthplace of Judas Iscariot, though this is not explicit in biblical texts. Later references to 'Jew' or Judaean identity should not be retrojected onto these towns in earlier Israelite or Judahite history.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of קִרְיָה; buildings; Kerioth, the name of two places in Palestine; Kerioth, Kirioth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קרי (q-r-y) — call together, gather, organize a settlement
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7152-01 |
הַ/קְּרִיּ֔וֹת | haqeriot | HTd/Ncfpa |
Kerioth | the Kerioth-settlements | 2 |
H7152-03 |
וּ/קְרִיּ֔וֹת | uqeriot | HC/Np |
and Kerioth | and Kerioth | 1 |
H7152-02 |
קְרִיּ֖וֹת | qeriot | HNp |
Kerioth | Kerioth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7152-03 |
Joshua 15:25 | וּ/קְרִיּ֔וֹת | uqeriot | HC/Np |
and Kerioth | and Kerioth |
H7152-02 |
Jeremiah 48:24 | קְרִיּ֖וֹת | qeriot | HNp |
Kerioth | Kerioth |
H7152-01 |
Jeremiah 48:41 | הַ/קְּרִיּ֔וֹת | haqeriot | HTd/Ncfpa |
Kerioth | the Kerioth-settlements |
H7152-01 |
Amos 2:2 | הַ/קְּרִיּ֑וֹת | haqeriot | HTd/Np |
the-Kerioth | the Kerioth-settlements |