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קִרְיַת חֻצוֹת

𐤒𐤓𐤉𐤕 𐤇𐤑𐤅𐤕

Qireyat Chutsot

H7155 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קריה ; חוץ to establish a city, inhabit, encircle (קריה); to be outside, to be in the open, to be external (חוץ)

Definition

Proper noun designating a specific Moabite city; literally 'City of Streets' or 'City of Open Places'. The term describes a settlement notable for its streets or thoroughfares, indicating a degree of urban planning or marketplace activity. In biblical narrative, 'Qiryath Chutsoth' refers to a distinct city in the territory of Moab. The compound name suggests a city defined by its open streets or external areas.

Semantic Range

proper noun for a Moabite city, city characterized by open spaces or streets, 'city of markets' or 'city of plazas', urban center with public squares

Root / Etymology

The phrase derives from two Hebrew words: קִרְיָה (qiryah, 'city, town, inhabited place') and the plural construct form of חוּץ (chuts, 'outside, street, open place'), together forming 'city of streets' or 'city of open spaces'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the context of Numbers 22:39, Qiryath Chutsoth is identified as a Moabite city to which Balak brought Balaam. The name occurs only in this context in the Hebrew Bible, preventing a broader semantic development within later Israelite or Judean history. The description likely focuses on urban character, signifying a city with prominent streets or open market areas, a contrast to fortified towns with little open public space. The English translation traditions rendered the name as 'Kirjath-huzoth', based on the Septuagint transcription. Later references to similar urban designations occur in post-biblical rabbinic literature, where 'chuts' is often used for public thoroughfares. However, the biblical usage here is strictly geographic and descriptive. The identity of the population (Moabite) is noted in the narrative context, and there is no association with Israelite or Judahite identity in the period described. Standard English translations typically transliterate the name and do not attempt to convey the nuance of 'streets' or 'open places'.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קִרְיָה and the feminine plural of חוּץ; city of streets; Kirjath-Chutsoth, a place in Moab; Kirjath-huzoth.

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Root Family

קריה ; חוץ (q-r-y ; ch-w-ts) — city, settled place, encircled habitation; outside, open place, street

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7155-02 קִרְיַ֥ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of 1
H7155-01 חֻצֽוֹת chutsot HNp Huzoth City of Open-Places 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7155-02 Numbers 22:39 קִרְיַ֥ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of
H7155-01 Numbers 22:39 חֻצֽוֹת chutsot HNp Huzoth City of Open-Places
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