Bible Encyclopedias
Ir ha-Heres

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Iowa

Next Entry
Ir-Shemesh

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Concordances
Nave Topical Bible
• Zuzims
• Zurishaddai
• Zuriel
•   (only first 3 shown)

1. City in Egypt, mentioned in Isaiah 19:18: "In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called 'Ir ha-Heres" (A. V. "the city of destruction"; R. V. margin, "Heres"). The Masoretic text, Aquila, Theodotion, and Peshiṭta read "City of Destruction." Symmachus, the Vulgate, Men. 110a, Saadia, and some Hebrew manuscripts read ("City of the Sun"). The Septuagint has πολις ἀσεδέκ ("City of Righteousness"). There are many differences of opinion regarding the proper reading of this name. It is, however, probable that "Ḥeres" is the correct reading, and that Heliopolis, in Egypt, is referred to by Isaiah. The alteration of "'Ir ha-Ḥeres" (City of the Sun) into "'Ir ha-Heres" (City of Destruction) was influenced by a later antagonism toward the Onias temple. On the other hand,the alteration of "Ḥeres" into "Ẓedeḳ" ([City of] Righteousness) was a result of the desire for a distinct prediction regarding that temple. For other opinions see Hastings, "Dict. Bible"; Geiger, "Urschrift," p. 79.
2. Mountain () mentioned in Judges 1:35, in connection with Aijalon and Shaalbim, as one of the mountains from which the Danites were unable to expel the Amorites. It has been conjectured, and with probability, that, since "ḥeres" is synonymous with "shemesh," "Heres" here may mean "Bethshemesh" (1 Kings 4:9; 2 Chronicles 28:18) or "Ir-shemesh" (Joshua 19:41), between Judah and Dan.
3. Hill ("the ascent of Heres"; Judges 8:13, R. V.) by which Gideon returned from the battle with Zebah and Zalmunna. Its location is uncertain, and the text is variously transmitted.