Horon is a term found in the Bible, primarily associated with geographical locations and people. It is most notably connected to the towns of Upper and Lower Beth-horon, which played significant roles in biblical history. The name "Horon" itself is believed to be derived from a root meaning "hollow" or "cavern," which may reflect the topographical features of the area.

Beth-horon

Beth-horon refers to two adjacent towns, Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, located in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. These towns are strategically situated on the ascent from the coastal plain to the hill country of Judea, making them significant military and trade routes in ancient times.

The Bible first mentions Beth-horon in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 10:10-11 , during the battle against the Amorite kings, the Lord threw the enemy into confusion at Gibeon, and as they fled, "the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky along the descent of Beth-horon." This miraculous intervention led to a decisive victory for Joshua and the Israelites.

Beth-horon is also noted in the account of Solomon's reign. In 1 Kings 9:17 , Solomon is said to have rebuilt and fortified the towns of Upper and Lower Beth-horon, enhancing their strategic importance and ensuring the security of the kingdom's borders.

The Horonites

The term "Horonite" is used to describe individuals from the region of Horon. One notable figure is Sanballat the Horonite, an adversary of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. In Nehemiah 2:10 , Sanballat is mentioned as being displeased with Nehemiah's efforts to aid the Israelites, and he actively opposed the reconstruction efforts. Sanballat's opposition is further detailed in Nehemiah 4:1-3 , where he mocks and ridicules the Jews, attempting to discourage their work.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The towns of Beth-horon held significant military and economic importance due to their location on the main route between the coastal plain and the interior highlands. This made them key points of defense and control throughout various periods of Israel's history. The fortification efforts by Solomon and the subsequent historical references highlight the ongoing strategic value of these locations.

In summary, Horon, through its association with Beth-horon and the Horonites, represents a critical aspect of Israel's historical and military narrative. The biblical accounts emphasize God's providential role in the victories and challenges faced by His people, as well as the enduring significance of these locations in the unfolding account of Israel.2772. Choroni -- inhab. of Beth-horon
... inhab. of Beth-horon. Transliteration: Choroni Phonetic Spelling: (kho-ro-nee')
Short Definition: Horonite. ... of Beth-horon NASB Word Usage Horonite (3). Horonite. ...
/hebrew/2772.htm - 6k

1032. Beth Choron -- "place of a hollow," two adjoining cities in ...
... "place of a hollow," two adjoining cities in Palestine. Transliteration: Beth Choron
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth kho-rone') Short Definition: Beth-horon. ...
/hebrew/1032.htm - 6k

The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
... Chapters 11-20 Chapter 19 The northern coast of Judea. Beth-horon. ... We read of a double
Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 19 the northern coast.htm

Tsok: and Beth Chadudo.
... The Jerusalem Misna thus: "R. Judah saith, Was not this a great sign to
them? From Jerusalem to Beth-horon were three miles. They ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 54 tsok and beth.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... This road branched off for Jerusalem at Lydda, where it bifurcated, leading
either by Beth-horon or by Emmaus, which was the longer way. ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

A Sight of Judea
... From Beth-horon to the sea is one circumjacent region. Rabbi Jochanan saith,
Yet it hath a mountainous part, a plain, and a vale. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 9 a sight of.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Caphar Lodim. The Village of those of Lydda. Chapter 18 Caphar Tebi. Chapter 19
The northern coast of Judea. Beth-horon. Chapter 20 Beth-el. Beth-aven. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Theognostus, Moreover, Himself Adds Words to this Effect: He who ...
... [1258] In Athanasius, Epist. 4, to Serapion, sec. 11, vol. i. part ii.[p. 703.
[1259] horon. [1260] teleiosei. [ie, making the disciples teleioi. James 1:4.]. ...
/.../ii theognostus moreover himself adds.htm

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 41-50 Chapter 45 Emmaus. Kiriath-jearim. "From
Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly.""It was sixty furlongs distant from ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 45 emmaus kiriath-jearim.htm

Jovian is Proclaimed Emperor.
... conjecturally amends the reading tous Surous tes arches into tous horous tes arches,
alleging that Socrates himself later mentions the loss as zemian ton horon ...
/.../chapter xxii jovian is proclaimed emperor.htm

How Amaziah Made an Expedition against the Edomites and Amalekites ...
... that this would not have been done to them but out of contempt,] they fell upon
his kingdom, and proceeded to spoil the country as far as Beth-horon, and took ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how amaziah made.htm

How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ...
... happen. Moreover, he built two other cities not far from it, Beth-horon
was the name of one of them, and Baalath of the other. He ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm

Horon (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Horon (13 Occurrences). Joshua 10:10 Yahweh confused
them before Israel, and he killed them with a great ...
/h/horon.htm - 10k

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
Beth-horon. Bethhoron, Beth-horon. Beth-hor'on . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of the hollow, or of the cavern, the name of two ...
/b/beth-horon.htm - 30k

Beth-hor'on (12 Occurrences)
Beth-hor'on. Beth-horon, Beth-hor'on. Bethink . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth-hor'on (12 Occurrences). Joshua 10:10 And the LORD ...
/b/beth-hor'on.htm - 9k

Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border
of Beth Horon the lower, even to Gezer; and ended at the sea. ...
/l/lower.htm - 30k

Azekah (7 Occurrences)
... In Joshua 10:10 the defeated kings of the Arnorites are described as flying
before Joshua "by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon. ...
/a/azekah.htm - 11k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... They are distinguished as Beth-horon "the upper" and Beth-horon "the nether." They
are about 2 miles apart, the former being about 10 miles north-west of ...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... beams on the pillars; (YLT). 1 Kings 9:17 And Solomon buildeth Gezer, and
Beth-Horon the lower, (YLT). 1 Kings 12:25 And Jeroboam ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... 10 Yahweh confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter
at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And it goes down to the west to the limit of the Japhletites, to the
limit of Beth-horon the lower, as far as Gezer; ending at the sea. (BBE WBS). ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

Uzzen-sherah (1 Occurrence)
... A town probably near Beth-horon. ... 1 Chronicles 7:24 (And his daughter was Sherah,
who built Beth-horon the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen-sherah.) (WBS YLT). ...
/u/uzzen-sherah.htm - 6k

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