What is…
Kiriath-Jearim

Meaning: city of forests; city of woods; city of jaars (“jaars” means of woods or forests)

also known as: Kirjath-Jearim, Kiryat Ye'arim, Kariathiarim (Greek), Deir el-Azar (Arabic), Kirjathbaal or Kirjath-baal (Josh. 15:60; 18:14), Baalah or Baalath (Josh. 15:9, 11; 1 Kings 9:18; 2 Chr. 8:6), Baale-Judah (2 Sam. 6:2), Tel Kiriath-Jearim

This is originally a Gibeonite town (Joshua 9:17 KJV). As a result of the Israelite conquest, it was on the border of the Tribe of Benjamin, and was assigned to that tribe (Joshua 18:15; 18:28). It was also on the border of Dan and Judah.

The Holy Ark of the Covenant was sent to Kirjath-Jearim (1 Samuel 7:1-2) from Beth-Shemesh (10 miles away) where it had been treated far too casually (even opening it to look inside), and lacking proper fear of the Lord—resulting in the death of many inhabitants (50,070 men) (1 Sam. 6:19).

A Levite named Abinadab was put in charge of properly caring for the Ark at Kirjath-Jearim. Here it safely remained for 20 years, till it was removed by King David to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:2-3; 6:12; 1 Chronicles 15:1-29; compare Psalm 132).

Kirjath-Jearim was also called Baalah (Joshua 15:9 KJV) and Kirjath-baal (Joshua 15:60 KJV), due apparently to idolatrous worship of Baal.

It has been identified as Abu Ghosh, Israel (aka Kiryat Yearim, “Village of the Grapes”), among the hills, northeast of 'Ain Shems, the at Beth-Shemesh. Kirjath-Jearim is only 16 minutes from Jerusalem.

The words of Psalm 132:6, “We found it in the fields of the wood,” refer to the sojourn of the ark at Kirjath-jearim. “Wood” is here the rendering of the Hebrew word jaar, which is the singular of Jearim.

Archaeology

The mound of ruins of this ancient town is 5 hectares in size. The town served as a strategic guardian to the approach of Jerusalem. Fortification walls have been found. Excavations here are valuable, as Scripture mentioned this place again and again. Tel Aviv University archaeologists are giving this site deserved attention. It is believed that the stone where the Ark of the Covenant stood has been found. Archaeologists also now believe that these ruins are also the biblical town of Emmaus, where Jesus walked and talked with two disciples after His resurrection.

Tel Aviv University professor Israel Finkelstein, who leads the project with Thomas Romer and Christophe Nicolle of the College de France, has stated that the hill and village should be identified as Emmaus.