Topical Encyclopedia The Horites, also known as the Horim, are an ancient people mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of the early history of the region of Seir, which later became known as Edom. The Horites are first introduced in Genesis as the original inhabitants of the land of Seir before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, took possession of the territory.Biblical References: 1. Genesis 14:6 · The Horites are mentioned in the context of the campaign of Chedorlaomer and his allies, who defeated various peoples in the region, including the Horites in their hill country of Seir. This passage highlights the early presence of the Horites in the land that would later be associated with Esau and his descendants. 2. Genesis 36:20-30 · This passage provides a genealogical account of the Horites, listing the chiefs of the Horites in the land of Seir. It mentions Seir the Horite and his descendants, including Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These names are significant as they represent the tribal and familial structure of the Horites during their occupation of Seir. 3. Deuteronomy 2:12 · The text notes that the Horites were dispossessed by the descendants of Esau, who settled in their place. This verse underscores the transition of the land from the Horites to the Edomites, reflecting the broader theme of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. 4. Deuteronomy 2:22 · This verse reiterates the displacement of the Horites by the Edomites, drawing a parallel with the Israelites' conquest of their own promised land. It emphasizes the continuity of God's plan and the establishment of nations according to His will. Historical and Cultural Context: The Horites are often associated with the Hurrians, a group known from ancient Near Eastern texts, although the exact relationship between the two is a matter of scholarly debate. The Horites are depicted as a people dwelling in the mountainous region of Seir, which suggests a lifestyle adapted to the rugged terrain. Their mention in the genealogies and historical narratives of Genesis and Deuteronomy indicates their significance in the ancestral history of the Edomites. The displacement of the Horites by the Edomites is consistent with the biblical theme of land inheritance and the unfolding of God's covenantal promises. The Edomites, as descendants of Esau, were given the land of Seir as their possession, paralleling the Israelites' inheritance of Canaan. Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, the narrative of the Horites serves to illustrate the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and peoples. The transition of the land from the Horites to the Edomites is portrayed as part of the divine orchestration of history, where God's purposes are fulfilled through the movements and interactions of different groups. The Horites' mention in the genealogies of Genesis also reflects the broader biblical interest in tracing the origins and relationships of various peoples, underscoring the interconnectedness of human history as part of God's creation. The account of the Horites, therefore, contributes to the biblical narrative of God's unfolding plan for humanity, as seen through the lens of the patriarchal promises and the establishment of nations. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HORITE; HORIMho'-rit, ho'-rim (chori, chorim; Chorraioi): Denoted the inhabitants of Mt. Seir before its occupation by the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:12). Seir is accordingly called Horite in Genesis 36:20, 30, where a list of his descendants is given, who afterward mixed with the invading Edomites. Esau himself married the daughter of the Horite chieftain Anah (Genesis 36:25; see 36:2, where "Hivite" must be corrected into "Horite"). The "Horites" in their "Mt. Seir" were among the nations defeated by the army of Chedorlaomer in the age of Abraham (Genesis 14:6). The Hebrew Horitc, however, is the Khar of the Egyptian inscriptions, a name given to the whole of Southern Palestine and Edom as well as to the adjacent sea. In accordance with this we find in the Old Testament also traces of the existence of the Horites in other parts of the country besides Mt. Seir. In Genesis 34:2 Joshua 9:7, the Septuagint (Cod. A) more correctly reads "Horite" instead of "Hivite" for the inhabitants of Shechem and Gibeon, and Caleb is said to be "the son of Hur, the first-born of Ephratah" or Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 2:50; 1 Chronicles 4:4). Hor or Horite has sometimes been explained to mean "cave-dweller"; it more probably, however, denotes the "white" race. The Horites were Semites, and consequently are distinguished in Deuteronomy 2:12 from the tall race of Rephaim. Strong's Hebrew 1950. Homam -- a Horite... 1949, 1950. Homam. 1951 . a Horite. Transliteration: Homam Phonetic Spelling: (ho-mawm') Short Definition: Hemam. Word Origin from ... /hebrew/1950.htm - 6k 6649. Tsibon -- "hyena," a Horite 4506a. Manachath -- a descendant of Seir the Horite 345. Ayyah -- "falcon," the name of a Horite, also of an Israelite 4506. Manachath -- a descendant of Seir the Horite 2752. Chori -- inhab. of Edom, also the name of an Edomite, also ... Library Chapter xxxvi The Israelites The Nations of the South-East Canaan Thesaurus Horite (4 Occurrences)...HORITE; HORIM. ... Seir is accordingly called Horite in Genesis 36:20, 30, where a list of his descendants is given, who afterward mixed with the invading Edomites. ... /h/horite.htm - 9k Horim (2 Occurrences) Anah (10 Occurrences) Zibeon (7 Occurrences) Uz (8 Occurrences) Shobal (9 Occurrences) Dishan (5 Occurrences) Hivite (25 Occurrences) Lotan (5 Occurrences) Dishon (7 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Horites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of the land of Uz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is significance of Mount Seir? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Horite (4 Occurrences)Genesis 36:20 Genesis 36:21 Genesis 36:29 Genesis 36:30 Subtopics Related Terms |
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