Topical Bible: Hiv

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Hiv" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it is often associated with the Hivites, one of the Canaanite tribes mentioned in the Old Testament. The Hivites were one of the seven nations inhabiting the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. They are frequently listed among the peoples that God commanded the Israelites to drive out of the Promised Land.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 10:17 · The Hivites are first mentioned in the Table of Nations, where they are listed as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. This genealogical record establishes their place among the Canaanite tribes: "the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites."

2. Genesis 34:2 · The Hivites are notably mentioned in the account of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, defiled Dinah, leading to a violent retaliation by her brothers Simeon and Levi: "When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force."

3. Exodus 3:8 · God promises to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey, inhabited by various tribes, including the Hivites: "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites."

4. Joshua 9:7 · The Hivites are involved in the account of the Gibeonite deception. The Gibeonites, who were Hivites, tricked Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land: "The men of Israel said to the Hivites, 'Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a treaty with you?'"

5. Judges 3:3 · The Hivites are listed among the nations that God left in the land to test Israel, to see whether they would obey the commandments given to their ancestors: "These are the nations the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan... the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath."

Cultural and Historical Context:

The Hivites, like other Canaanite tribes, were known for their idolatrous practices and were considered a corrupting influence on the Israelites. Their presence in the land posed a significant challenge to the Israelites' faithfulness to Yahweh. The biblical narrative often portrays the Hivites as a people who, through cunning and deceit, managed to survive the initial Israelite conquest, as seen in the account of the Gibeonites.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Hivites represent the persistent challenge of maintaining covenant faithfulness amidst surrounding pagan cultures. Their interactions with the Israelites serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of compromise with idolatrous practices. The narrative of the Hivites underscores the theme of divine judgment and mercy, as God uses even the deceit of the Gibeonites to fulfill His purposes for Israel.

Archaeological Insights:

While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying the Hivites is limited, the broader context of Canaanite culture and settlements provides insight into their way of life. The Hivites, like other Canaanite tribes, would have lived in fortified cities and engaged in agriculture, trade, and religious practices centered around local deities.

Topical Bible Verses

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.
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1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
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Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
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Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
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1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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Romans 1:26-27
For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
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Genesis 19:1-38
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
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