Horonite
“The one from Horonaim (or Beth-horon)”
Summary
A designation applied to Sanballat, one of Nehemiah's principal opponents, indicating his place of origin—either Horonaim in Moab or Beth-horon in Ephraim.
☩Sanballat the Horonite
Sanballat is consistently called 'the Horonite' throughout Nehemiah's account (Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 13:28). He was one of the three main opponents of Nehemiah's work, along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian. Together they mocked, threatened, and plotted against the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Sanballat's daughter married the grandson of the high priest Eliashib, creating a compromising family connection that Nehemiah dealt with decisively.
☩Derivation of the Name
Scholars debate whether 'Horonite' derives from Horonaim, the Moabite town, or from Beth-horon in Ephraim. Gesenius argued for the Moabite origin, which better fits Sanballat's pagan associations. Fürst preferred Beth-horon, which suits Sanballat's close relationships with the Samaritans. The simple form of the Hebrew gentilic (Choroni) more naturally points to Horonaim, while Beth-horon would typically produce a different form.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Horonite," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Horonite," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).