The term "Horonite" is a designation found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah. It is used to describe Sanballat, a prominent adversary of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The term likely indicates a geographical origin, suggesting that Sanballat hailed from a place called Horonaim or a similar location.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 2:10 : "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites." This verse introduces Sanballat as a Horonite, highlighting his opposition to Nehemiah's mission to restore Jerusalem's walls. His title as a Horonite suggests a connection to a region or city, possibly in Moab or Samaria, which were areas known for their historical enmity with Israel.

2. Nehemiah 2:19 : "But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and despised us, saying, 'What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?'" This passage further emphasizes Sanballat's role as an antagonist, working alongside Tobiah and Geshem to undermine Nehemiah's efforts. The mention of his Horonite identity underscores his foreign status and potential motivations rooted in regional politics.

3. Nehemiah 4:1 : "Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry, and he mocked the Jews." Sanballat's reaction to the rebuilding efforts is one of anger and mockery, reflecting his persistent opposition. His identity as a Horonite may imply a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, where Jerusalem remained vulnerable and its people subjugated.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The exact location of Horonaim is not definitively known, but it is often associated with a city in Moab, as mentioned in other biblical texts such as Isaiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:3, 5, 34. This association with Moab, a region east of the Dead Sea, suggests that Sanballat may have had Moabite connections or origins. Alternatively, some scholars propose a link to Beth-Horon, a town in the territory of Ephraim, though this is less commonly accepted.

Role in Nehemiah's Narrative:

Sanballat the Horonite is a central figure in the opposition against Nehemiah's leadership and the Jewish community's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. His actions, alongside those of Tobiah and Geshem, represent the external threats faced by the Israelites during this period of restoration. The opposition from these figures is not merely political but also spiritual, as it challenges the covenantal relationship between God and His people, which is symbolized by the restoration of Jerusalem.

Sanballat's identity as a Horonite serves to highlight the broader geopolitical tensions of the time, where neighboring regions and peoples often sought to exert influence over the land of Israel. His resistance to Nehemiah's work is emblematic of the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and their surrounding adversaries, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.Horonite

(native of Horonaim), The, the designation of Sanballat. (Nehemiah 2:10,19; 13:28) It is derived by Gesenius from Horonaim.

The designation of Sanballat (Nehemiah 2:10, 19), a native of Horonaim, or of one of the two Beth-horons, the "upper" or the "nether," mentioned in Joshua 16:3,5. HORONITE

hor'-o-nit, ho'-ro-nit (ha-choroni): an appellation of Sanballat (Nehemiah 2:10, 19; Nehemiah 13:28), as an inhabitant of BETH-HORON (which see).

2772. Choroni -- inhab. of Beth-horon
... inhab. of Beth-horon. Transliteration: Choroni Phonetic Spelling: (kho-ro-nee')
Short Definition: Horonite. ... of Beth-horon NASB Word Usage Horonite (3). Horonite. ...
/hebrew/2772.htm - 6k

The Builders on the Wall
... Foremost in this evil work were certain chiefs of these tribes, Sanballat
the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 53 the builders on.htm

Nehemiah's Answer to a Call for Help
... The king had sent with me officers and horsemen; and when Sanballat, the Horonite,
and Tobiah, the Ammonite slave, heard of it, it troubled them greatly, that ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/nehemiahs answer to a call.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... Hezekiah and Sennacherib, between the faithful followers of God after the captivity
who would rebuild the temple, and Sanballat the Horonite; between the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... The first thing we read, after the decision had been made to rebuild the walls,
is: "When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... faggot to put near it. Tobiah the Ammonite, who was tarred with the same
brush as Sanballat the Horonite, was by him. 3. and he said ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Horonite (3 Occurrences)
... 3,5. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HORONITE. hor'-o-nit ... which see).
Multi-Version Concordance Horonite (3 Occurrences). Nehemiah 2:10 ...
/h/horonite.htm - 8k

Hor'onite (3 Occurrences)
Hor'onite. Horonite, Hor'onite. Horons . Multi-Version Concordance
Hor'onite (3 Occurrences). Nehemiah 2:10 And when Sanballat the ...
/h/hor'onite.htm - 7k

Sanballat (10 Occurrences)
... san-bal'-at (canebhallaT; Greek and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD)
Sanaballat; Peshitta, Samballat): Sanballat the Horonite was, if the appellation ...
/s/sanballat.htm - 14k

Sanbal'lat (10 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to ...
/s/sanbal'lat.htm - 9k

Tobijah (17 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobijah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there had come a man to ...
/t/tobijah.htm - 12k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

Tobi'ah (15 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to ...
/t/tobi'ah.htm - 10k

Eliashib (15 Occurrences)
... the use of a great chamber in the temple (Nehemiah 13:5); and one of his grandsons,
a son of Joiada, married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite and was for ...
/e/eliashib.htm - 13k

Official (45 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the ...
/o/official.htm - 20k

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite,
heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the ...
/a/ammonite.htm - 18k

Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? | GotQuestions.org

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