The Hivites are one of the several Canaanite tribes mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as inhabitants of the land of Canaan prior to the arrival of the Israelites. They are often listed among the nations that the Israelites were commanded to drive out of the Promised Land. The Gibeonites, a subgroup of the Hivites, play a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan.

Biblical References and Identity

The Hivites are first mentioned in Genesis 10:17 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. They are listed among the various Canaanite tribes that occupied the land. In Genesis 34, the Hivites are associated with the city of Shechem, where Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, defiles Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. This incident leads to a violent reprisal by Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi.

The Gibeonites, identified as Hivites in Joshua 9:7, are particularly notable for their cunning approach to the advancing Israelites. As Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, the Gibeonites, fearing for their survival, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty with Israel. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land and sought a covenant with Joshua and the leaders of Israel. Joshua 9:14-15 recounts, "Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them."

The Gibeonite Deception and Its Aftermath

Upon discovering the deception, the Israelites honored the treaty due to the oath sworn before God, despite the Gibeonites' proximity and identity as Hivites. Joshua 9:18-20 states, "But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then the whole assembly grumbled against the leaders. All the leaders answered, 'We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.'"

As a result, the Gibeonites were spared but were consigned to servitude. Joshua 9:27 notes, "On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD at the place He would choose. And they remain to this day."

Role in Israel's History

The Gibeonites' role extends beyond the initial deception. In Joshua 10, when the Amorite kings attacked Gibeon for allying with Israel, Joshua led a miraculous defense, during which the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12-14). This event further solidified the Gibeonites' place within the Israelite community.

Later, during the reign of King Saul, a breach of the treaty occurred when Saul sought to annihilate the Gibeonites, leading to a famine during the reign of David. In 2 Samuel 21:1-2 , it is recorded, "During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, 'It is because of Saul and his bloodstained house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.'"

David sought to make amends, and the Gibeonites requested the execution of seven of Saul's descendants, which David granted, thus ending the famine (2 Samuel 21:3-9).

Cultural and Theological Significance

The narrative of the Hivites, particularly the Gibeonites, underscores themes of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of oaths made before God. The Israelites' adherence to their treaty with the Gibeonites, despite the latter's deception, highlights the importance of integrity and the fear of the LORD in maintaining one's word. The Gibeonites' integration into Israelite society, albeit as servants, also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty in using even the actions of non-Israelite peoples to fulfill His purposes for Israel.Joshua 9:3,7
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua's Conquest.
... the Girgashites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, the ... (3) The several
tribes of people mentioned in ... (12) The story of the Gibeonites, their stratagem ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... from the service of God as a people who regarded not ... description, when they made
a league with the Gibeonites. ... have been the conduct of these Hivites in making ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Who were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the land of Canaan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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