Location
Overview
Kir-hareseth (also Kir of Moab, Kir-heres) was the great fortress capital of Moab, set on a steep height east of the Dead Sea.
The siege of Moab
When Israel, Judah, and Edom invaded Moab, they drove King Mesha back until "only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof," and the slingers surrounded it (2 Kings 3:25).
The sacrifice on the wall
In his extremity, the king of Moab "took his eldest son... and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall." A great wrath came upon Israel, and they withdrew (2 Kings 3:26–27) — one of the darkest scenes in the histories.
Moab's lament
The prophets mourned over it: "for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn" (Isaiah 16:7), "mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes... for the men of Kirheres" (Jeremiah 48:31, 36).
Events Here
The king of Moab sacrifices his son on the wall of Kir-hareseth
Scripture References
5 verses2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 3:25
And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it. only in: Heb. until he left its stones in Kirharaseth
Isaiah2 verses
Isaiah 16:7
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. mourn: or, mutter
Isaiah 16:11
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
Jeremiah2 verses
Jeremiah 48:31
Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.
Jeremiah 48:36
Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
Archaeology & History
Kir-hareseth is identified with Kerak in Jordan, a commanding hilltop east of the Dead Sea — so naturally defensible that it later became one of the great Crusader fortresses. Its strength explains why, in 2 Kings 3, it was the last stronghold to which the king of Moab was driven.
Frequently asked about Kir-hareseth
Where is Kir-hareseth today?
Today, Kir-hareseth corresponds to Kerak, Jordan.
What does the name Kir-hareseth mean?
The name Kir-hareseth means “City of pottery / brick fortress”.
What happened at Kir-hareseth in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Kir-hareseth include the king of moab sacrifices his son on the wall of kir-hareseth.
Where is Kir-hareseth first mentioned in the Bible?
Kir-hareseth is first mentioned in 2 Kings 3:25.
How often is Kir-hareseth mentioned in the Bible?
Kir-hareseth is mentioned in 5 verses across 3 books: 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah.
What happened at Kir-hareseth?
Besieged by Israel, Judah, and Edom, the desperate king of Moab sacrificed his eldest son on the city wall, after which the invaders withdrew (2 Kings 3).
Where is Kir-hareseth?
The fortress capital of Moab east of the Dead Sea, identified with Kerak in Jordan — later a famous Crusader castle.