Lexical Summary Hoham: Hoham Original Word: הוֹהָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hoham Of uncertain derivation; Hoham, a Canaanitish king -- Hoham. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Amorite king of Hebron NASB Translation Hoham (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הוֺהָם proper name, masculine Canaanitish king of Hebron Joshua 10:3. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context Hoham appears once in Scripture, in Joshua 10:3, as “Hoham king of Hebron.” His brief mention places him squarely in the southern Canaanite resistance that formed after Joshua’s surprising treaty with Gibeon. Historical Setting: The Southern Canaanite Coalition Hebron was a fortified city of great antiquity, tied to the Anakim and to the patriarchs (Genesis 23:2; Numbers 13:22). After Gibeon sought peace with Israel, Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem rallied four neighboring rulers—Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish and Debir of Eglon—into an alliance against Gibeon (Joshua 10:3-4). This coalition reveals two realities: first, the strategic significance of Hebron in southern Canaan, and second, the degree of alarm that Israel’s advance and the Gibeonite treaty generated among the remaining Canaanite powers. Role in the Conquest Narrative The campaign of Joshua 10 showcases the Lord’s sovereign intervention: Hoham and the other four kings fled to the cave at Makkedah (Joshua 10:16-17). Joshua later brought them out, had the commanders place their feet on the kings’ necks, and said, “‘Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for this is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you fight’” (Joshua 10:25). Their execution and public display (Joshua 10:26-27) dramatically affirmed Israel’s call to eradicate entrenched wickedness and occupy the land promised to Abraham. Spiritual and Theological Themes 1. Divine War against Sin: Hoham stands as a symbol of organized opposition to the covenant purposes of God. His defeat illustrates the certainty of divine judgment when human rule exalts itself against the Lord. Legacy in Redemptive History Though Hoham is never mentioned again, Hebron’s subsequent history is rich: The transition from Canaanite stronghold under Hoham to Israelite inheritance and finally to Davidic capital underscores the unfolding of God’s covenant faithfulness. Lessons for Contemporary Believers • God’s Plans Prevail: Hoham’s alliance, formidable by human standards, collapsed under divine decree. Believers can trust that no earthly coalition can thwart God’s purposes. Forms and Transliterations הוֹהָ֣ם הוהם hō·w·hām hoHam hōwhāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 10:3 HEB: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם אֶל־ הוֹהָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ חֶ֠בְרוֹן NAS: sent [word] to Hoham king KJV: sent unto Hoham king INT: of Jerusalem to Hoham king of Hebron 1 Occurrence |
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