KIR OF MOAB kûr (קִיר־מﯴאָ֖ב, Wall of Moab). The term is used only in Isaiah 15:1 in a passage parallel to Ar of Moab. The exact identity of the term “Kir” is not known. Several suggested possibilities are given below.

The LXX does not take the term to be a place, but the simple noun “wall” and trs. it simply τὸ̀ τεῖχος τῆς Μωαβίτιδος, “the wall of Moab.”

Some identify Kir of Moab with Ar of Moab, mentioned in the same passage. Ar is known elsewhere in Scripture, being mentioned in ancient proverbs (Num 21:15, 28). In Deuteronomy 2:9, 18, the term “Ar of Moab” is mentioned in connection with the promise that Moab shall never be given over to Israel, but shall be an inheritance for the sons of Lot. The Isaiah (15:1) passage reads that Ar will fall in a night. It seems most likely that Ar of Moab is not a city, but a region of Moab.

Probably the supposition is correct that Kir of Moab refers to the same place at Kir-hareseth or Hareseth, a place mentioned twice in Scripture. After the defeat of Mesha of Moab by the Israelites, only in Kir-hareseth were any stones left standing and even there slingers captured the city and smote it (2 Kings 3:25). Isaiah prophesied that in the devastation of Moab, Kir-hareseth would be stricken (Isa 16:7).

Kir-hareseth is to be identified with Kerak, the ancient capital of the district. From ancient times it was a place of great importance in that area. It was a strategic site, easily defendable, being on a high place, with the sides of the mountain sloping steeply all around it.

It dominated the ancient caravan routes being on the ancient and famous King’s Highway from Syria to Egypt, and was recognized by the Crusaders as a strategic site. It towers about 3690 ft. above sea level and was walled on all sides. The only problem of the city’s location was water. The springs were all outside of the city.

Even today the city is inhabited and lies ten m. E of the Dead Sea. It is just below the Lisan at the S end of the sea. The Wady Hesa is about fourteen m. to the S.

Bibliography D. Baly, The Geography of the Bible (1957), 31, 87, 92, 118, 238; E. Young, An Introduction to the Old Testament (1958), 229; J. Simons, The Geographical and Topographical Text of the Old Testament (1959), 64, 65, 265, 361, 435.