A city or region in Mesopotamia, possibly Elam
Kir
Named in 4 verses across 3 books, first in 2 Kings 16:9.
קִירKir
The name means “a city; wall; meeting.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Kir Written by AI
Kir is mentioned in the Bible as a city or region in Mesopotamia, distinct from the Moabite city of the same name. It is associated with the Arameans, who were a Semitic people that inhabited parts of Syria and Mesopotamia. According to 2Ki.16.9, during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, the king of Assyria captured Damascus and exiled its inhabitants to Kir. The prophet Amos also mentions that the Arameans originally came from Kir before settling in Damascus (Amo.9.7). Some scholars suggest that Kir may be located in the region of Elam, east of Babylonia, based on its association with Elam in Isaiah 22:6. However, the exact location of Kir remains uncertain.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Kir, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
A wall or fortress, a place to which Tiglath-pileser carried the Syrians captive after he had taken the city of Damascus (2 Kings 16:9; Amos 1:5; 9:7). Isaiah (22:6), who also was contemporary with these events, mentions it along with Elam. Some have supposed that Kir is a variant of Cush (Susiana), on the south of Elam.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
33.124, 45.931 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- 2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.
- Isaiah 22:6
Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.
- Amos 1:5
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.
- Amos 9:7
“Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.