קִיר (qir)
qir
Kir
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Kir refers to a region or people mentioned in five biblical passages, primarily within Isaiah and Amos. While the root word qir typically means "wall," this specific form functions as a geographical identifier rather than a structural description. The sources indicate it originally denoted the house of Aram before becoming associated with a place of exile for various nations.
Its location remains uncertain to modern scholars, though it is linked to Moabite cities in some contexts. In Amos 9:7, God uses Kir as an example of distant lands from which He brought Israel out, emphasizing His sovereign power over all territories regardless of their obscurity. Similarly, Isaiah 22:6 mentions Elam and Kir together, highlighting the widespread nature of judgment.
This word carries theological weight by illustrating God's control beyond Israel's borders. It serves as a reminder that no nation is outside His reach, whether they are powerful empires or lesser-known regions like Kir. The uncertainty of its exact location does not diminish its role in these texts, which focus on divine authority rather than geography.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read about Kir in the Bible, it might feel like a minor geographical detail, but it carries a powerful message about God’s reach. In Amos 9:7, God reminds Israel that He brought them out of Egypt just as He moved people from distant places like Kir. This shows that His power is not limited to one nation or location; He is active everywhere, even in regions that seem far removed from the biblical narrative.
Isaiah and Amos also use Kir to illustrate judgment on other nations, such as Damascus and Moab. These passages remind us that God’s authority extends beyond Israel’s borders to all peoples and lands. Whether a place is a major empire or an obscure region like Kir, it remains within His sovereign care and justice.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in its own quiet way. It assures you that no situation feels too distant for God to see or act. When life feels chaotic or uncertain, remember that the same God who oversees all nations is personally involved in your story. You are never outside His watchful care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kir/ towards2×
- from/ Kir1×
- and/ Kir1×
- Kir of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִיר\־1×
- קִ֖ירָ/ה1×
- קִ֑ירָ/ה1×
- מִ/קִּֽיר\׃1×
- וְ/קִ֥יר1×
Key Verses
-
Amos 9:7
Are you not like the children of the Ethiopians to me, children of Israel?” says Yahweh. “Haven’t I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
This verse uses Kir as a key example of God’s sovereign ability to bring people from distant lands, emphasizing that His power extends beyond Israel.
-
Isaiah 22:6
Elam carried his quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.
Here, Kir is mentioned alongside Elam to highlight the widespread nature of judgment, showing that no nation escapes God’s authority.
-
II Kings 16:9
The king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it, and carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.
This historical account shows Kir as a place of exile, illustrating how God uses distant regions to fulfill His purposes for nations.