Topical Bible: Hittites: Descent From, Illustrative of the Degradation of the Jews

◄ Hittites: Descent From, Illustrative of the Degradation of the Jews ►

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. Their presence and interactions with the Israelites serve as a backdrop for various biblical narratives, illustrating both the challenges and failures faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal purity and faithfulness to God.

Descent and Historical Background

The Hittites are believed to have descended from Heth, the second son of Canaan, who was the son of Ham, as recorded in Genesis 10:15: "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites" . This lineage places the Hittites among the Canaanite tribes that occupied the Promised Land prior to the Israelite conquest under Joshua. Archaeological evidence and historical records suggest that the Hittites were a significant and influential civilization, known for their advancements in law, warfare, and diplomacy.

Biblical Interactions and Illustrations of Degradation

The interactions between the Israelites and the Hittites are complex and multifaceted, often highlighting the spiritual and moral challenges faced by the Israelites. The Hittites are first mentioned in the context of Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site for Sarah (Genesis 23:3-20). This transaction underscores the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that could exist between the Israelites and the Hittites.

However, as the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the presence of the Hittites and other Canaanite tribes became a source of spiritual degradation for the Israelites. Despite God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land to avoid idolatry and moral corruption (Exodus 23:31-33), the Israelites often failed to fully obey. Judges 3:5-6 records, "Thus the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods" . This intermingling led to the adoption of pagan practices and a departure from the worship of Yahweh.

The degradation of the Israelites is further illustrated in the reign of King Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, took many foreign wives, including Hittite women, who turned his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11:1-4). This disobedience to God's command not to intermarry with pagan nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) resulted in spiritual decline and eventual division of the kingdom.

The Hittites also appear in the narrative of King David, where Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men, is a notable figure. The account of David's adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and the subsequent murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11) serves as a poignant example of moral failure and its consequences, even among God's chosen leaders.

Prophetic and Symbolic References

In prophetic literature, the Hittites are sometimes used symbolically to represent the sinful state of Israel. Ezekiel 16:3, 45 uses the imagery of Israel's ancestry, stating, "This is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: 'Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite'" . This metaphor highlights the spiritual adultery and idolatry of the Israelites, likening them to the very nations they were meant to displace and remain distinct from.

The Hittites, therefore, serve as a recurring motif in the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and the spiritual degradation that results from compromising with pagan cultures. Their interactions with the Israelites underscore the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the dangers of assimilation into the surrounding idolatrous practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 16:3
And say, Thus said the Lord GOD to Jerusalem; Your birth and your nativity is of the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite, and your mother an Hittite.
Torrey's Topical Textbook