קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (qir.yat ye.a.rim)

The name Qiryat Ye’arim translates to "city of forests" or "city of woods." It identifies a specific settlement located on the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Hebrew sources note that this location is also known by other names, including Qiryat Baal and Baalah, reflecting its shifting historical associations.

This place appears frequently in the books of Joshua and Chronicles, marking it as a significant landmark in the tribal divisions of Israel. Its most notable role in Scripture occurs when the Ark of the Covenant is brought there after being returned by the Philistines. The text records that the ark remained in Qiryat Ye’arim for many years, housed in the house of Abinadab, before David eventually moved it to Jerusalem.

The etymology suggests a landscape defined by timber or dense vegetation, distinguishing it from other urban centers. By serving as the temporary resting place for the Ark, the city held a unique spiritual weight during the period of the Judges and early monarchy, bridging the gap between the chaotic times of tribal conflict and the centralized worship under David.