← H7155 H7157 →

קִרְיָתַיִם

𐤒𐤓𐤉𐤕𐤉𐤌

Qireyatayim

H7156 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קריה to call, to name, to meet, to read aloud (for קרא as root); as a noun (קריה), town, city, urban settlement

Definition

A place name meaning 'two cities' or 'double city,' referring to settlements composed of or associated with two separate but adjacent towns. The term identifies multiple locations in the Hebrew Bible, most notably a town in the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben, and another in the territory of Naphtali. In most instances, Qiryathayim designates a distinct settlement, with the dual form suggesting a site formed from or located between two originally independent communities, or characterized by a dual structure.

Semantic Range

city, town, settlement composed of two parts or towns; specific place name referring to a location in Moabite territory; Levitical city in Naphtali; city in the inheritance of Reuben

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root ק-ר-י (קריה), meaning 'town' or 'city,' plus the dual ending -ַיִם (-ayim) indicating two. The base noun קִרְיָה (qiryah) means 'town' or 'city.' Therefore, קִרְיָתַיִם (Qiryathayim) literally means 'two towns/cities.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, Qiryathayim is mentioned as a Moabite city (e.g., Jeremiah 48:1, Ezekiel 25:9) as well as within the territory assigned to Reuben (Joshua 13:19). Another mention appears in Naphtali's territory (Joshua 21:32, 1 Chronicles 6:76), possibly as a Levitical city. The dual form is relatively rare in place names; here, it points to the town's origin or function involving two joined settlements or administrative units, a feature paralleled elsewhere in West Semitic toponymy but not widespread in Israelite geography. English Bibles often transliterate the name or use 'Kiriathaim,' but this may obscure its etymology and connotation. The name appears in narrative and prophetic literature, sometimes as a symbol of Moab’s fortified cities. The Moabite city may have been distinct from the town in Israelite territory; notice should be paid to context in interpretation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

dual of קִרְיָה; double city; Kirjathaim, the name of two placed in Palestine; Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

קריה (q-r-y (qiryah)) — town, city, urban settlement

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7157 קִרְיַת יְעָרִים Settlement-of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7156-01 קִרְיָתָֽיִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities 5
H7156-04 ו/קריתמ/ה vqrytmh HC/Np/Sd and Kiriathaim and toward Two-Towns 1
H7156-03 וְ/קִרְיָתַ֣יִם veqireyatayim HC/Np and Kiriathaim and Two-Towns 1
H7156-02 וְ/קִרְיָתָֽיְמָ/ה veqireyatayemah HC/Np/Sd and Kiriathaim and toward Two-Towns 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7156-01 Genesis 14:5 קִרְיָתָֽיִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities
H7156-01 Numbers 32:37 קִרְיָתָֽיִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities
H7156-03 Joshua 13:19 וְ/קִרְיָתַ֣יִם veqireyatayim HC/Np and Kiriathaim and Two-Towns
H7156-01 Jeremiah 48:1 קִרְיָתָ֑יִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities
H7156-01 Jeremiah 48:23 קִרְיָתַ֛יִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities
H7156-04 Ezekiel 25:9 ו/קריתמ/ה vqrytmh HC/Np/Sd and Kiriathaim and toward Two-Towns
H7156-02 Ezekiel 25:9 וְ/קִרְיָתָֽיְמָ/ה veqireyatayemah HC/Np/Sd and Kiriathaim and toward Two-Towns
H7156-01 1 Chronicles 6:61 קִרְיָתַ֖יִם qireyatayim HNp Kiriathaim Two Cities
← H7155 Hebrew Lexicon H7157 →