Hittites
Summary
Descendants of Heth, son of Canaan, who formed one of the major Canaanite peoples and later established a powerful empire in Anatolia with whom Israel had various interactions.
☩Patriarchal Encounters
Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite for Sarah's burial (Genesis 23), his first land ownership in Canaan. Esau married Hittite women, causing grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35; 36:2). These early interactions show Hittites dwelling among the Canaanite peoples around Hebron.
☩Conquest and Later History
The Hittites were among the seven nations Israel was to dispossess (Deuteronomy 7:1). During David's reign, Uriah the Hittite served as one of his mighty men, and his murder to cover David's adultery brought divine judgment on the king (2 Samuel 11-12). Archaeological discoveries have revealed the Hittites were a major ancient power, confirming biblical references.
Related Verses36 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hittites," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).