Topical Encyclopedia The Hittites, an ancient people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, were one of the many Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. They are often listed among the nations that the Israelites encountered during their conquest of Canaan. The Hittites are noted for their significant influence and interactions with the Israelites, as well as their retention of their own kings and political structures even amidst the changing dynamics of the region.Biblical References and Historical Context The Hittites are first mentioned in Genesis 15:20 as part of the land promised to Abraham's descendants. They are described as one of the groups inhabiting the land of Canaan, which God pledged to give to Abraham's offspring. The Hittites' presence in the land is further confirmed in Genesis 23, where Abraham negotiates with Ephron the Hittite to purchase the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah. This transaction highlights the Hittites' established presence and their own governance, as Ephron is depicted as a landowner with authority. During the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the Hittites are again mentioned as one of the nations that the Israelites were to displace (Joshua 3:10). Despite the Israelite victories, the Hittites, along with other Canaanite tribes, managed to retain a degree of autonomy and continued to exist within the land. This is evident in the narrative of Judges, where the Israelites failed to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land, allowing the Hittites to maintain their own societal structures (Judges 3:5). Retention of Kingship The Hittites' ability to retain their own kings is a testament to their resilience and the complexity of the political landscape in Canaan. In 1 Kings 10:29, the Hittites are mentioned in the context of trade, indicating their continued presence and influence. The verse states, "They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram." This passage suggests that the Hittites had their own kings who engaged in international trade, further emphasizing their retained sovereignty. The Hittites' political structure is also highlighted in 2 Kings 7:6, where the Arameans flee, fearing that the king of Israel had hired the kings of the Hittites and the Egyptians to attack them. This reference to "kings of the Hittites" implies a confederation or alliance of Hittite rulers, each governing their own territories, yet capable of collective action. Cultural and Religious Influence The Hittites' influence extended beyond politics and trade; they also played a role in the cultural and religious milieu of the region. The intermarriage between Israelites and Hittites is noted in the account of Esau, who took Hittite wives, causing distress to his parents Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35). This intermingling of peoples suggests a degree of cultural exchange and the potential for religious syncretism, which was a recurring challenge for the Israelites as they sought to maintain their covenantal identity. In summary, the Hittites were a significant Canaanite people who managed to retain their own kings and political structures despite the pressures of surrounding nations and the Israelite conquest. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the complex interactions between the Israelites and the indigenous peoples of Canaan, as well as the enduring influence of the Hittites in the ancient Near East. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 10:29And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 7:6 2 Chronicles 1:17 Library The Old Testament and Archeology The Close of the Theban Empire Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Political Constitution of Egypt Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Reaction against Egypt The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Has Israel's territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the Jordan crossing? | GotQuestions.org What are the consequences of nations turning away from God? | 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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