Kirjath Huzoth
“City of streets, or city of broad ways”
Summary
A city of Moab to which King Balak brought Balaam immediately after his arrival, the location where they offered preliminary sacrifices before ascending to the high places of Baal.
☩Location and Context
Kirjath-huzoth was a city of Moab mentioned in connection with Balaam's visit to King Balak. After Balak met Balaam at the border city by the Arnon River, he brought him to Kirjath-huzoth, where they sacrificed oxen and sheep before proceeding to view Israel from the heights of Baal. The name means "city of streets" or "city of broad ways," suggesting a significant urban center with organized thoroughfares. The city's location between the Arnon and Bamoth-baal indicates it was likely in the central region of Moab. Some scholars have suggested it may have been the capital city of the Moabite king, usually identified as Kir-Moab, distinguished here by an epithet indicating its extent.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Kirjath-Huzoth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Kirjathhuzoth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.J. B. Jackson, "Kir jath hu'zoth," in A Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names (Loizeaux Brothers, 1909).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Kirjath Huzoth," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.George Morrish, "Kirjathhuzoth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).