The Hittites, often referred to as the "Sons 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 descendants of Heth, who was a son of Canaan, the son of Ham, as recorded in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:15: "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites" .

Historical Context and Origin

The Hittites are believed to have been part of a larger Hittite Empire, which was centered in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and known for its advanced civilization and military prowess. However, the biblical Hittites are often considered a distinct group, possibly a branch or colony of the larger Hittite Empire, residing in the region of Canaan.

Biblical References

The Hittites are first mentioned in the context of Abraham's life. In Genesis 23, Abraham negotiates with the Hittites to purchase a burial site for his wife Sarah. The Hittites, described as the "sons of Heth," show respect and deference to Abraham, acknowledging him as a "mighty prince" among them (Genesis 23:5-6).

The Hittites are also listed among the nations that the Israelites were commanded to drive out of the Promised Land. In Exodus 3:8, God promises to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and bring them "to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites" .

During the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the Hittites are again mentioned as one of the peoples inhabiting the land. Joshua 1:4 describes the extent of the land promised to the Israelites, "from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and westward to the Great Sea" .

Interactions with Israel

The Hittites had various interactions with the Israelites throughout their history. King David had dealings with the Hittites, most notably in the account of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men and the husband of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Uriah's loyalty and tragic death highlight the complex relationships between the Israelites and the Hittites.

Solomon, David's son, also had connections with the Hittites. In 1 Kings 10:29, it is noted that Solomon's wealth and trade extended to the Hittites: "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" .

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Hittites, like other Canaanite tribes, practiced polytheism and were known for their idolatrous practices. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious customs of the Hittites and other Canaanite peoples. In Deuteronomy 7:1-5, God commands the Israelites to destroy the Hittites and other nations to prevent them from leading Israel into idolatry.

Despite their eventual decline and assimilation, the Hittites' presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the diverse and often challenging environment in which the Israelites lived. Their interactions with the Hittites and other Canaanite tribes underscore the ongoing struggle to maintain faithfulness to God's covenant amidst external influences.Genesis 23:3,20
And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Canaan
... Even the Israelites and Ammonites are called "Hittites" by an Assyrian king. ... Old
Testament; indeed, it has been suggested that the Hittites, or "sons of Heth ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Chapter x
... "Heth" is the father of the famous Hittites, who first ... For here Peleg and Joktan
are distinctly called "sons," and one is said to be the "brother" of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Chapter xxiii
... agrees to this in that the sons of a ... so he acknowledges the gracious compliment the
Hittites paid him by ... regular inhabitants of the land are called "the people ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

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