Topical Encyclopedia The Hittites were an ancient people mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, known for their significant role in the history of the Near East and their interactions with the Israelites. They are often listed among the inhabitants of Canaan, the land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham. The Hittites are described as one of the seven nations that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess upon entering the Promised Land.Historical Background The Hittites were part of a larger Hittite Empire, which was centered in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and reached its height during the second millennium BC. However, the Hittites mentioned in the Bible are generally considered to be a distinct group residing in Canaan, possibly remnants or offshoots of the larger Hittite civilization. They are frequently listed alongside other Canaanite tribes such as the Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Hivites. Biblical References The Hittites are first mentioned in Genesis 15:20 as part of the land promised to Abram's descendants. They appear throughout the Pentateuch and historical books, often as inhabitants of the land that Israel was to conquer. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, God commands the Israelites to "utterly destroy" the Hittites and other nations, to prevent them from leading Israel into idolatry. The conquest of the Hittites is notably recorded in the Book of Joshua. Joshua 1:4 outlines the extent of the land promised to the Israelites, including the territory of the Hittites. Joshua 3:10 declares, "This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites." Joshua's campaign against the Hittites is part of the broader conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites, who were Hivites, deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them, fearing the fate of the Hittites and other Canaanite nations. Joshua 11:3-4 describes a coalition of northern kings, including the Hittites, who gathered to fight against Israel but were defeated by Joshua's forces. Cultural and Religious Influence The Hittites, like other Canaanite tribes, practiced polytheism and were known for their idolatrous practices, which were abominable to the Israelites. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of Israel's separation from such practices to maintain their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The Hittites' presence in Canaan posed a spiritual threat to Israel, as intermarriage and cultural assimilation could lead to the worship of foreign gods. Legacy and Significance Despite their eventual defeat, the Hittites continued to be mentioned in the biblical narrative. Notably, Uriah the Hittite, one of King David's mighty men, is a prominent figure in the account of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). This indicates that some Hittites integrated into Israelite society over time. The Hittites' role in the biblical narrative serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the importance of faithfulness to His commands. Their account is a reminder of the spiritual and physical challenges faced by the Israelites as they established themselves in the land of Canaan. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 9:1,2And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; Nave's Topical Index Joshua 10:1 Joshua 11:1 Joshua 12:1 Joshua 24:11 Library 'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid' Canaan The Old Testament and Archeology Appendices Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers Chapter x Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Reaction against Egypt Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources Who were the Hittites? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Hittites: Called The: Children of Heth Hittites: Called The: Sons of Heth Hittites: Descended from Canaan's Son, Heth Hittites: Descent From, Illustrative of the Degradation of the Jews Hittites: Esau Intermarries With Hittites: Intermarriages With, by Esau Hittites: Intermarriages With, by Israel After Conquest of Canaan Hittites: Intermarriages With, by Israelites After the Captivity Hittites: Intermarriages With, by Solomon Hittites: Intermarry With the Israelites Hittites: Israel Commanded to Destroy Hittites: Land of, Promised to Israel Hittites: Luz Built in the Country of Hittites: Not Entirely Destroyed by Israel Hittites: Officers From, in David's Army Hittites: One of the Seven Nations of Canaan Hittites: Part of Their Land Given to Caleb Hittites: Pay Tribute to Solomon Hittites: Remarkable Persons of Abimelech Hittites: Remarkable Persons of Ephron Hittites: Remarkable Persons of Uriah Hittites: Retain Their own Kings Hittites: Sell a Burying-Ground to Abraham Hittites: Solomon Interrmarries With Hittites: The Descendants of Heth Hittites: The Remnant of, Made Tributary in the Reign of Solomon Hittites: Their Land Given to the Israelites Related Terms |
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