The Hittites, known as the descendants of Heth, are a significant group mentioned throughout the Old Testament. They are one of the many Canaanite tribes that inhabited the land of Canaan before and during the time of the Israelite conquest. The Hittites are first introduced in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:15, where Heth is listed as a son of Canaan, making the Hittites part of the broader Canaanite lineage.

Biblical References and Historical Context

The Hittites are frequently mentioned in the context of the patriarchal narratives. In Genesis 23, Abraham negotiates with the Hittites to purchase the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah. This transaction highlights the Hittites' presence in the land and their role as established inhabitants with whom the patriarchs interacted. Genesis 23:10 states, "Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people, and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city."

The Hittites are also noted during the time of Esau, who took Hittite wives, much to the dismay of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah. Genesis 26:34-35 records, "When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah."

During the conquest of Canaan, the Hittites are listed among the nations that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. In Deuteronomy 7:1 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—seven nations larger and stronger than you."

Cultural and Political Influence

The Hittites were not only a local tribe in Canaan but also part of a larger Hittite Empire that was a significant power in the ancient Near East. This empire, centered in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), was known for its advanced culture, military prowess, and diplomatic relations with other major powers such as Egypt and Assyria. The Hittite Empire's influence extended into northern Syria and parts of Canaan, which may explain the presence of Hittites in the biblical narrative.

The Hittites are mentioned in the context of King David's reign. Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men, is a notable figure whose account is recounted in 2 Samuel 11. Uriah's loyalty and tragic death highlight the integration of Hittites into Israelite society, as well as the complexities of David's kingship.

Religious and Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the Hittites, like other Canaanite nations, are often depicted as a people whose practices and idolatry were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs and religious practices of the Hittites and other Canaanite tribes. In Exodus 23:32-33 , God commands, "You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."

The presence of the Hittites in the biblical narrative serves as a backdrop for the unfolding account of God's covenant with Israel. Their interactions with the patriarchs, their role in the conquest narratives, and their integration into Israelite society all contribute to the complex tapestry of the Old Testament history.Genesis 10:15
And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,
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Genesis 23:10
And Ephron dwelled among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
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Chapter xxiii
... 5, 6. And the children of Heth answered Abraham and said ... Genesis 16:3); 2. the country
of the Hittites was promised to the descendants of Abraham ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

Chapter x
... was a son by that name, or that the Sidonites are descended from one of the descendants
of Canaan. ... "Heth" is the father of the famous Hittites, who first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Canaan
... that the Hittites, or "sons of Heth," from whom ... of Jebusites at Jerusalem, the Hittites
were mountaineers ... the Canaanites resembled their descendants, the modern ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

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