Located within the territory of Judah, Kiriath-jearim
means Town of (the) Forests,
on account of the wooded conditions of the Highlands at that time. This was a non-Israelite city, one of four Gibeonite cities (Joshua 9:3–26). Its inhabitants had permanent residence status, on account of a treaty from the days of Joshua.
12 and went up and encamped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. On this account that place is called Mahaneh-dan to this day; behold, it is west of Kiriath-jearim.