What is…
Kir

Hebrew: קִיר —transliteration: Qiyr —meaning: a wall, fortress or stronghold —occurrences: 5

This is a place to which Tiglath-pileser carried the Arameans captive after he had taken the city of Damascus.

So the king of Assyria listened to him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and seized it and took the people of it away into exile to Kir, and put Rezin to death. —2 Kings 16:9

I will also break the gate bar of Damascus
And cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven
And him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden;
So the people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,”
Says Yahweh. —Amos 1:5

Amos 9:7

Isaiah, who was contemporary with these events, mentions Kir along with Elam.

Now Elam took up the quiver
With the chariots, infantry, and horsemen;
And Kir uncovered the shield. —Isaiah 22:6

Some have supposed that Kir is a variant of Cush (Susiana), on the south of Elam.

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Article Version: June 28, 2024