Horam is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. He was the king of Gezer, a Canaanite city-state during the time of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. Horam's involvement in the biblical narrative is brief but significant in the context of the Israelite campaign to take possession of the Promised Land.

Biblical Account

Horam is introduced in Joshua 10, during the account of the southern campaign led by Joshua. After the miraculous victory at Gibeon, where God intervened by causing the sun to stand still, Joshua and the Israelites pursued the fleeing Amorite kings. The text states:

"Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel. The city and everyone in it Joshua put to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho. Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish, and they laid siege to it and fought against it. And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He put to the sword all the people in the city, just as he had done to Libnah. At that time Horam king of Gezer went up to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors." (Joshua 10:29-33)

Historical and Theological Context

Horam's decision to aid Lachish against the Israelites reflects the alliances and political dynamics among the Canaanite city-states during this period. Gezer, located in the Shephelah region, was a significant city due to its strategic position along important trade routes. Horam's intervention suggests a coalition of Canaanite kings attempting to resist the advancing Israelite forces.

Theologically, the defeat of Horam and the destruction of Gezer underscore the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The narrative emphasizes the divine mandate and support for Israel's conquest, as seen in the repeated phrase "the LORD delivered" the cities and their kings into the hands of Israel. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises.

Archaeological Insights

Gezer has been the subject of extensive archaeological excavations, revealing a city with a long history of occupation. Findings include fortifications, water systems, and evidence of destruction layers that align with the biblical account of conquest. These discoveries provide a backdrop for understanding the historical context of Horam's reign and the geopolitical landscape of Canaan during the Late Bronze Age.

Legacy

While Horam's mention in the Bible is limited to this military encounter, his role as a Canaanite king who opposed Israel's divinely ordained conquest serves as a testament to the resistance faced by the Israelites. His defeat is part of the larger narrative of God's deliverance and the establishment of Israel in the land of Canaan, a foundational event in the history of the Israelite people.Horam

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Horam

(mountainous), king of Gezer at the time of the conquest of the southwestern part of Palestine. (Joshua 10:33)

HORAM

ho'-ram (horam, "height"): a king of Gezer defeated by Joshua when he came to the help of Lachish, which Joshua was besieging (Joshua 10:33).

2036. Horam -- a Canaanite king
... 2035, 2036. Horam. 2037 . a Canaanite king. Transliteration: Horam Phonetic
Spelling: (ho-rawm') Short Definition: Horam. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2036.htm - 5k

2038. Harmon -- a place name
... palace. From the same as Horam; a castle (from its height) -- palace. see HEBREW
Horam. 2037, 2038. Harmon. 2039 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2038.htm - 6k

2037. Harum -- a descendant of Judah
... of Judah NASB Word Usage Harum (1). Harum. Passive participle of the same as Horam;
high; Harum, an Israelite -- Harum. see HEBREW Horam. 2036, 2037. ...
/hebrew/2037.htm - 6k

Then Midas, King of Pessinus, Wishing to Withdraw the Youth from ...
... gods," adopted by Oehler; the other edd. reading ad horam--"at the hour,
i e., thereupon.". [4323] It seems probable that part of ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/7 then midas king of.htm

Tenebrae Factae Sunt
... Lento. Tenebrae factae sunt, dum crucifixissent Jesum Judaei, et circa horam nonam,
exclamavit Jesus voce maga: Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquisti? ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 175 tenebrae factae sunt.htm

How among the Egyptians they Apply Themselves all Day Long to ...
... as may be seen from the decree (falsely) ascribed to Pope Telesphorus (ad 127-138),
in the Liber Pontificalis: "Ut nullus ante horam tertiam sacrificium offere ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii how among the.htm

Refutation of the Opinion, that Paul was the Only Apostle who had ...
... [3538] Latin, "Ad horam cessimus subjectioni" (Galatians 2:5). Iren??us gives it
an altogether different meaning from that which it has in the received text. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiiirefutation of the opinion.htm

Canones Synodi Dordrechtan??.
... promisit, utuntur, ii ad reprobationis mentionem non consternari, nec se reprobis
accensere, sed in usu mediorum diligenter pergere, ac horam uberioris grati?? ...
/.../canones synodi dordrechtanae.htm

How Internal Exercises are to be Practised in Times Improper and ...
... other, for the longer she delays the more inapt will she be for it, according to
that wise saying of the ancient Rabbins, Qui protrudit horam, hora protrudet ...
/.../chapter iv how internal exercises.htm

Letter viii. To the C??sareans. A Defence of his Withdrawal, and ...
... Nam cum diem et horam idem esse statueret, ac extremam beatitudinem; illud Scriptura,
sed neque angeli sciunt, cogebat illis visionem illam, qu?? fit facie ad ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter viii to the caesareans.htm

John Calvin. His Life and Character.
... 'Se non e vero, e ben trovato.'. [819] Beza: 'Per decem minimum annos prandio abstinuit,
ut nullum omnino cibum extra statam coen?? horam sumeret.' Sometimes he ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 56 john calvin his.htm

Formula Concordi??.
The Creeds of the Evangelical Protestant Churches. <. ...
/.../schaff/the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/formula concordiae.htm

Horam (1 Occurrence)
...HORAM. ho'-ram (horam, "height"): a king of Gezer defeated by Joshua when he came
to the help of Lachish, which Joshua was besieging (Joshua 10:33). ...
/h/horam.htm - 6k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... an ivory pectoral with the cartouche of Meren-ptah was unearthed at Gezer.) In the
time of Joshua's invasion a certain "king of Gezer" named Horam (horam, but ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Horde (8 Occurrences)

/h/horde.htm - 9k

Hor (14 Occurrences)

/h/hor.htm - 15k

Japhia (5 Occurrences)
... defeated and slain. In one of the Amarna tablets he speaks of himself as
king of Gezer. Called also Horam (Joshua 10:33). (2.) One of ...
/j/japhia.htm - 10k

Defeated (88 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joshua 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua
struck him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. ...
/d/defeated.htm - 32k

Survivor (18 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Joshua 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and
Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. ...
/s/survivor.htm - 12k

Survivors (49 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joshua 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua
struck him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. (See NIV). ...
/s/survivors.htm - 21k

Hiram (21 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary High-born. (1.) Generally "Huram," one of the sons of
Bela (1 Chronicles 8:5). (2.) Also "Huram" and "Horam," king of Tyre. ...
/h/hiram.htm - 18k

Overcame (84 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Joshua 10:33 Then Horam, king of Gezer, came up to the help of Lachish; and
Joshua overcame him and his people, putting all of them to death. (BBE). ...
/o/overcame.htm - 32k

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