hivites Summary and Overview

one of the original tribes scattered over Israel, from Hermon to Gibeon in the south. The name is interpreted as "midlanders" or "villagers" (Gen. 10:17; 1 Chr. 1:15). They were probably a branch of the Hittites. At the time of Jacob's return to Canaan, Hamor the Hivite was the "prince of the land" (Gen. 24:2-28). They are next mentioned during the Conquest (Josh. 9:7; 11:19). They principally inhabited the northern confines of Western Israel (Josh. 11:3; Judg. 3:3). A remnant of them still existed in the time of Solomon (1 Kings 9:20).

(villagers), The, descendants --the six in order-- of Canaan the son of Ham. #Ge 10:17; 1Ch 1:15| We first encounter the actual people of the Hivites at the time of Jacob's return to Canaan. #Ge 34:2| We next meet with the Hivites during the conquest of Canaan. #Jos 9:7; 11:19| The main body of the Hivites were at this time living in the northern confines of western Israel-- "under Hermon, in the land of Mizpeh," #Jos 11:3| --"in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entering in of Hamath." #Jud 3:3| comp. 2Sam 24:7

HI'VITES , a people descended from Canaan, Gen 10:17. When Jacob returned to the land of his fathers he found them settled there. One of them, Hamor, defiled Dinah, for which a speedy retribution was visited upon their city by Simeon and Levi, Gen 34:25. We again meet them at the conquest of Canaan, Josh 11:3, Josh 11:19. This people dwelt at this time in the north-western part of Palestine, under Mount Hcrmon, Josh 11:3, and in Mount Lebanon, Jud 3:3.

Hebrew always in the singular = "midlanders" (Ewald), "villagers" (Gesenius). Their abode was about Hermon and Lebanon (Joshua 11:3, "under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh"; Judges 3:3, "from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath"); toward Tyre (2 Samuel 24:7), and Sichem or Shechem (Genesis 34:11), and Gibeon (Joshua 9:1; Joshua 9:7). Descended from Ham (Genesis 10:17). (See AVIM, with whom Septuagint identify them). A warm, impulsive, unsuspicious people, as their readiness to accept the cunning proposition of Simeon and Levi shows; peaceful and commercial, more keen to gain cattle and wealth than to wage war, as the same story shows; as also that of Abimelech (Judges 8:33 -9:53). The Shechemite idol Baalberith, "Baal of the covenant," was a god of peace not war. Their not revenging themselves on Jacob's family, as he feared, is another proof of their quiet spirit. The Gibeonite Hivites showed the same unwarlike spirit, with the additional element of craft wherewith they in their turn deceived Israel, as Jacob's sons had deceived their forefathers.