hazor Summary and Overview

enclosed; fortified. (1.) A stronghold of the Canaanites in the mountains north of Lake Merom (Josh. 11:1-5). Jabin the king with his allied tribes here encountered Joshua in a great battle. Joshua gained a signal victory, which virtually completed his conquest of Canaan (11:10-13). This city was, however, afterwards rebuilt by the Canaanites, and was ruled by a king with the same hereditary name of Jabin. His army, under a noted leader of the name of Sisera, swept down upon the south, aiming at the complete subjugation of the country. This powerful army was met by the Israelites under Barak, who went forth by the advice of the prophetess Deborah. The result was one of the most remarkable victories for Israel recorded in the Old Testament (Josh. 19:36; Judg. 4:2; 1 Sam. 12:9). The city of Hazor was taken and occupied by the Israelites. It was fortified by Solomon to defend the entrance into the kingdom from Syria and Assyria. When Tiglath-pileser, the Assyrian king, invaded the land, this was one of the first cities he captured, carrying its inhabitants captive into Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). It has been identified with Khurbet Harrah, 2 1/2 miles south-east of Kedesh. (2.) A city in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:23). The name here should probably be connected with the word following, Ithnan, HAZOR-ITHNAN instead of "Hazor and Ithnan." (3.) A district in Arabia (Jer. 49:28-33), supposed by some to be Jetor, i.e., Ituraea. (4.) "Kerioth and Hezron" (Josh. 15: 25) should be "Kerioth-hezron" (as in the R.V.), the two names being joined together as the name of one place (e.g., like Kirjath-jearim), "the same is Hazor" (R.V.). This place has been identified with el-Kuryetein, and has been supposed to be the home of Judas Iscariot. (See KERIOTH T0002177.)

(castle). 1. A fortified city, which on the occupation of the country was allotted to Naphtali. #Jos 19:36| Its position was apparently between Ramah and Kedesh, ibid. #Jos 12:19| on the high ground overlooking the Lake of Merom. There is no reason for supposing it a different place from that of which Jabin was king. #Jos 11:1; Jud 4:2,17; 1Sa 12:9| It was the principal city of the whole of north Israel. #Jos 11:10| It was fortified by Solomon, #1Ki 9:15| and its inhabitants were carried captive by Tiglath-pileser. #2Ki 15:29| The most probable site of Hazor is Tell Khuraibeh. 2. One of the "cities" of Judah in the extreme south, named next in order to Kedesh. #Jos 15:23| 3. Hazor-Hadattah = "new Hazor" another of the southern towns of Judah. #Jos 15:25| 4. A place in which the Benjamites resided after their return from the captivity. #Ne 11:33|

HA'ZOR (enclosure). 1. The city of King Jabin; destroyed by Joshua, Josh 11:1, Josh 11:10-11; given to Naphtali, Josh 19:36; again possessed by the Canaanites, Jud 4:2, who had for its king Jabin -- a generic title, probably, like Pharaoh in Egypt -- who reigned in Hazor and whose general was Sisera. It was fortified by Solomon, 1 Kgs 9:15; its people were carried into captivity by Tiglath-pileser. 2 Kgs 15:29. The city appears to have been situated on a hill in the midst of a plain, and was a stronghold. Josh 11:4; Jud 4:3. Several places have been suggested as the site: Tell Khureibeh, a rocky peak near Kedesh, by Robinson, and Conder points out the name Hadireh, the Arabic equivalent of Hazor, near this; modern Hazere, where are ruins, by Thomson; but doubtless it is to be found at Khurbet Hurrah, 2 1/2 miles south-east of Kedesh, as proposed by the Palestine Memoirs. Remains of ancient walls, towers, and a fortress are to be found, and also broken glass and pottery. 2. A city in the south of Judah; probably should be written Hazor-ithman, Josh 15:23. 3. Another town of Judah; called Hazor-hadattah, or New Hazor, Josh 15:25. Robinson proposes el-Hudherah; Conder, el-Hazzdrah, near Beit Jibrin, as its site. 4. Hezron, which is Hazor, Josh 15:25; rendered by Canon Cook "Kerioth Hezron, which is Hazor." He would identify it with el-Kuryetein, where are large ruins seen by De Sauley. It is supposed to have been the home of Judas Iscariot, the man of Kerioth, Matt 10:4; Conder suggested Kheshram, north of Beer-sheba, as the site of this Hazor. HEAD'-BANDS were perhaps fillets for the hair. Isa 3:20. See Head dress.

("enclosed".) frontHAROSHETH.) 1. In Naphtali, on a height overlooking Lake Merom (Joshua 11:1; Joshua 11:10, "head of all those kingdoms," i.e. the chief city of northern Israel; Joshua 12:19; Joshua 19:36; Judges 4:2; Judges 4:17; 1 Samuel 12:9). Burnt by Joshua in order not to leave such a strong place in his rear; rebuilt and made the second Jabin's seat whence he oppressed Israel. Fortified by Solomon as a point of defense at the entering into Israel from Syria and Assyria; its fortification was one among the works which necessitated. a "levy" of taxes (1 Kings 9:15). Its inhabitants were carried to Assyria by Tiglath Pileser (2 Kings 15:29). Now Tell Khuraibeh, "the ruins," according to Robinson; but there are no old ruins there and no cisterns. Rather Tel Hara, where is an ancient fortress, and walls, ruins, and pottery (Our Work in Israel, Israel Exploration Fund). 2. A city in the extreme S. of Judah (Joshua 15:23). 3. HAZOR-HADATTAH, "the new Hazor" as distinguished from the former; also in southern Judah (Joshua 15:25). 4. A city N. of Jerusalem, where the Benjamites resided after the return from Babylon (Nehemiah 11:33).