Topical Encyclopedia The Kenites are a group of people mentioned in the Bible, known for their association with the Midianites and their connection to the Israelites. The name "Kenite" is derived from the Hebrew word "Qayin," which is also the name of Cain, suggesting a possible ancestral link or symbolic association with the biblical figure Cain.Biblical References and Historical Context The Kenites are first mentioned in Genesis 15:19, where they are listed among the peoples whose land God promised to Abram. This early mention indicates their presence in the region long before the Israelites settled there. The Kenites are often associated with the land of Canaan and the surrounding areas. In Exodus 3:1, Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, is identified as a priest of Midian, and later texts suggest that Jethro was a Kenite. This connection is significant because it highlights the Kenites' role in the life of Moses and their influence on the early Israelite community. Judges 1:16 states, "The descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up from the City of Palms with the men of Judah to live in the Desert of Judah in the Negev near Arad." This passage indicates that the Kenites had a close relationship with the tribe of Judah and were integrated into the Israelite community. Role and Influence The Kenites are noted for their skills in metalworking, which is suggested by their name's possible connection to the word for "smith." This expertise would have been valuable in the ancient Near East, where metal tools and weapons were essential for daily life and warfare. One of the most notable Kenites in the Bible is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. In Judges 4:17-22, Jael plays a crucial role in the defeat of the Canaanite army by killing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite forces, with a tent peg. This act of bravery is celebrated in the Song of Deborah in Judges 5, where Jael is praised as "most blessed of women" (Judges 5:24). Religious and Cultural Significance The Kenites are often seen as a symbol of the non-Israelite groups who allied themselves with the Israelites and adopted their faith. Their integration into the Israelite community is seen as a testament to the inclusivity of God's covenant, which extends beyond ethnic and national boundaries. In 1 Samuel 15:6, Saul warns the Kenites to separate themselves from the Amalekites before he attacks, saying, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." This passage highlights the Kenites' favorable relationship with Israel and their historical acts of kindness. Legacy The Kenites' legacy in the biblical narrative is one of cooperation and integration with the people of Israel. Their account reflects the broader theme of God's plan unfolding through various peoples and cultures, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and righteousness over ethnic identity. The Kenites serve as an example of how non-Israelite groups could become part of the covenant community through their actions and faith. Smith's Bible Dictionary The Keniteand Kenites (smiths), The, inhabited the rocky and desert region between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai, east of the Gulf of Akabah. They were a branch of the larger nation of Midian, --from the fact that Jethro, who in Exodus (see (Exodus 2:15,16; 4:19) etc.) is represented as dwelling in the land of Midian, and as priest or prince of that nation, is in (Judges 1:16; 4:11) as distinctly said to have been a Kenite. The important services rendered by the sheikh of the Kenites to Moses during a time of great pressure and difficulty were rewarded by the latter with a promise of firm friendship between the two peoples. They seem to have accompanied the Hebrews during their wanderings, (Numbers 24:21,22; Judges 1:16) comp. 2Chr 28:15 But, the wanderings of Israel over, they forsook the neighborhood of the towns and betook themselves to freer air, --to "the wilderness of Judah, which is to the south of Arad." (Judges 1:16) But one of the sheikhs of the tribe, Heber by name, had wandered north instead of south. (Judges 4:11) The most remarkable development of this people is to be found in the sect or family of the Rechabites. Strong's Hebrew 2268. Cheber -- a Kenite, also several Israelites... Cheber or Cheber. 2269 . a Kenite, also several Israelites. Transliteration: Cheber or Cheber Phonetic Spelling: (kheh'-ber) Short Definition: Heber. ... /hebrew/2268.htm - 6k 8654. Tirathim -- a Kenite family 7017. Qeni -- members of the tribe of Kenites 7014. Qayin -- a city in S. Judah Library The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ... Hobab Women who Saved a Nation Canaan False Civilization Deborah's Song The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi. How the Canaanites Brought the Israelites under Slavery for Twenty ... Balaam The Training of a Statesman. Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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