Habor is a river mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the Assyrian exile of the Israelites. It is referenced in the Old Testament as a location where the Israelites were settled after being taken captive by the Assyrian Empire. The Habor River is associated with the region of Gozan, which is situated in the northern part of Mesopotamia.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 17:6 : "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes."

2. 2 Kings 18:11 : "The king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes."

3. 1 Chronicles 5:26 : "So the God of Israel stirred the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria), and he took the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day."

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Habor River is identified with the modern-day Khabur River, which flows through what is now southeastern Turkey and northeastern Syria. This river was a significant tributary of the Euphrates and played an important role in the ancient Assyrian Empire. The region around the Habor was fertile and strategically important, making it a suitable location for settling exiled populations.

The Assyrian policy of deporting conquered peoples was intended to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into the empire. By relocating the Israelites to the Habor region, the Assyrians aimed to integrate them into the broader Assyrian society and economy.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Habor in the Bible underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given to the Israelites regarding their disobedience to God's covenant. The exile to Assyria, including the settlement by the Habor River, was a direct consequence of Israel's idolatry and failure to adhere to the laws given by God. This event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.

The exile also highlights God's sovereignty over nations and history. Despite the apparent triumph of Assyrian power, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that God is in control, using even foreign empires to accomplish His purposes and to discipline His people.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

Archaeological findings in the region of the Habor have provided insights into the life and culture of the exiled Israelites. Artifacts and inscriptions from the Assyrian period reveal the extent of Assyrian influence and the integration of various peoples within the empire. These findings corroborate the biblical account of the deportation and settlement of the Israelites in this area.

The Habor River, therefore, is not only a geographical marker but also a symbol of the broader themes of judgment, exile, and the hope of eventual restoration that run throughout the biblical narrative.Habor

a partaker; a companion

Habor

(beautiful banks), the "river of Gozan," (2 Kings 17:6) and 2Kin 18:11 Is identified beyond all reasonable doubt with the famous affluent of the Euphrates, which is called Aborrhas and Chaboras by ancient writers, and now Khabour.

The united stream, or, according to others, with beautiful banks, the name of a river in Assyria, and also of the district through which it flowed (1 Chronicles 5:26). There is a river called Khabur which rises in the central highlands of Kurdistan, and flows south-west till it falls into the Tigris, about 70 miles above Mosul. This was not, however, the Habor of Scripture.

There is another river of the same name (the Chaboras) which, after a course of about 200 miles, flows into the Euphrates at Karkesia, the ancient Circesium. This was, there can be little doubt, the ancient Habor.

HABOR

ha'-bor (chabhor; Habor, Habior; Isidor of Charax, Aburas (Abouras), Zosias, Aboras):

1. Its Position and Course:

Is described in 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11 (compare 1 Chronicles 5:26) as "the river of Gozan." It is the Arabic Khabur, and flows in a southerly direction from several sources in the mountains of Karaj Dagh (Mons Masius), which, in the 37th parallel, flanks the valley of the Tigris on the West. The river ultimately joins the Euphrates after receiving its chief tributary, the Jaghjagha Su (Mygdonius), at Circesium (Kirkisiyeh).

2. Etymologies of Habor:

The meaning of its name is doubtful, but Delitzsch has suggested a Sumerian etymology, namely, habur, "the fish-waterway," or it may be connected with "mother Hubur' " a descriptive title of Tiamat (see MERODACH; RAHAB).

3. Historical References:

Layard found several interesting Assyrian remains in the district, including man-headed bulls bearing the name of Muses-Ninip, possibly an Assyrian governor. Tiglath-pileser I (circa 1120 B.C.) boasts of having killed 10 mighty elephants in Haran and on the banks of the Habor; and Assur-nacir-apli (circa 880 B.C.), after conquering Harsit (Harrit, Harmis), subjugated the tract around piate sa nar Habur, "the mouths of the Habor." According to 2 Kings and 1 Chronicles, Shalmaneser IV and Sargon transported the exiled Israelites thither. Philological considerations exclude the identification of the Chebar of Ezekiel 13, etc., with the Habor.

T. G. Pinches

2249. Chabor -- a river of Assyr.
... Transliteration: Chabor Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bore') Short Definition: Habor.
Word Origin from chabar Definition a river of Assyr. NASB Word Usage Habor (3). ...
/hebrew/2249.htm - 6k

The Woman of Samaria
... And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah
and in Habor by the river of Gozon, and in the cities of the Medes: because ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... 'In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel
away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

Habor (3 Occurrences)
... This was not, however, the Habor of Scripture. ... This was, there can be little doubt,
the ancient Habor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HABOR. ...
/h/habor.htm - 10k

Gozan (5 Occurrences)
... It was situated in Mesopotamia, on the river Habor (2 Kings 17:6; 18:11), the Khabur,
a tributary of the Euphrates. ... See HABOR; HALAH. James Orr. ...
/g/gozan.htm - 10k

Halah (4 Occurrences)
... Mentioned in 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11 1 Chronicles 5:26, as one of the places
to which the kings of Assyria sent the exiled Israelites (see GOZAN; HABOR). ...
/h/halah.htm - 10k

Removeth (27 Occurrences)
... in the ninth year of Hoshea hath the king of Asshur captured Samaria, and removeth
Israel to Asshur, and causeth them to dwell in Halah, and in Habor, 'by' the ...
/r/removeth.htm - 14k

Exile (101 Occurrences)
... 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel
away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of ...
/e/exile.htm - 43k

Deported (12 Occurrences)
... 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel
away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of ...
/d/deported.htm - 10k

Chebar (8 Occurrences)
... It has been supposed to be identical with the river Habor, the Chaboras, or
modern Khabour, which falls into the Euphrates at Circesium. ...
/c/chebar.htm - 10k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites and the Gadites,
and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Hara (1 Occurrence)
... ha'-ra (hara'; Septuagint omits): A place named in 1 Chronicles 5:26 along with
Halah, Habor and the river of Gozan, whither the Reubenites, the Gadites and ...
/h/hara.htm - 8k

Medes (15 Occurrences)
... 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel
away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of ...
/m/medes.htm - 18k

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus