Hittites: Governed by Kings
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Hittites were an ancient people mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, known for their significant role in the history of the Near East. They are often depicted as one of the many Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. The Hittites are noted for their complex society, which was governed by a monarchical system.

Biblical References and Historical Context

The Hittites are first mentioned in Genesis 15:20 as one of the nations whose land was promised to Abraham's descendants. They are also listed among the inhabitants of Canaan in Exodus 3:8 and Deuteronomy 7:1. The Hittites were part of the broader Canaanite culture, which included various tribes and city-states.

The governance of the Hittites by kings is implied in several biblical passages. In 2 Samuel 11:3, Uriah the Hittite is mentioned, suggesting that the Hittites maintained a distinct identity and possibly their own leadership structure within the broader Israelite society. Although the Bible does not provide detailed accounts of Hittite kings, their existence is corroborated by archaeological findings and extra-biblical sources, which describe a well-organized kingdom with a centralized monarchy.

Interactions with Israel

The Hittites had various interactions with the Israelites, ranging from peaceful coexistence to conflict. In Genesis 23, Abraham purchases a burial plot from Ephron the Hittite, indicating a level of diplomatic and commercial interaction. This transaction highlights the Hittites' integration into the socio-economic fabric of Canaan.

During the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were commanded to drive out the Hittites along with other Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 20:17). However, the complete expulsion of these peoples was not fully realized, leading to continued interactions and influences, as seen in the accounts of Solomon's reign. In 1 Kings 10:29, Solomon is described as importing horses from Egypt and exporting them to the Hittites, indicating ongoing trade relations.

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Hittites, like other Canaanite tribes, practiced polytheism and were known for their syncretistic religious practices. This posed a significant challenge to the Israelites, who were called to maintain monotheistic worship of Yahweh. The influence of Hittite and other Canaanite religious practices is evident in the repeated warnings against idolatry found throughout the Old Testament.

Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological discoveries have provided substantial evidence of the Hittite civilization, particularly in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), where the Hittite Empire was centered. The Hittite kings, such as Suppiluliuma I and Hattusili III, are well-documented in ancient records, revealing a powerful and influential kingdom that engaged in diplomacy and warfare with neighboring states, including Egypt and Assyria.

The Hittites' use of iron and their advancements in chariot warfare contributed to their military prowess, which is reflected in the biblical portrayal of them as formidable inhabitants of the land.

Conclusion

The Hittites, governed by kings, played a significant role in the biblical narrative and the history of the ancient Near East. Their interactions with the Israelites, both peaceful and adversarial, are woven throughout the Old Testament, providing insight into the complex dynamics of the region during the biblical period.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 10:29
And 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 7:6
For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, See, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter xxxvi
... 10:29; 2 Kings 7:6. For the Hittites were a ... In other words, Edom was not governed
by a long succession of "chiefs" before a long succession of "kings" came to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Canaan
... conquered by a foreign line of kings, and Canaan ... Ebed-Asherah and his son Aziru governed
the Amorites ... the charge of complicity with the Hittites against whom ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Introduction
... of other tribes or races, notably the Hittites, who had ... into the past of the campaigns
of later Assyrian kings. ... the name of Eri-Aku or Arioch governed Larsa in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

Egypt
... The plateau of Bashan was governed by a single prefect ... are letters in it from the
kings of Babylonia and ... The Hittites were advancing from the north, Mitanni and ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... dynasty from the south, which governed the country ... were never resigned; but the Kassite
kings had to ... disaffected Canaanites, or with the Hittites and Mitannians ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... a powerful army, while that of the Hittites was regarded ... Illustration: 348.jpg PAINTING
ON THE TOMB OF THE KINGS]. She governed with so firm a hand that neither ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... way hampered their internal liberty; they governed as they ... He certainly did overcome
their kings, and arrested ... on the one side to the Hittites, Cilicians, and ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... el-Bersheh and Beni-Hasan. [Illustration: 018.jpg PAINTING IN THE FIFTH TOMB
OF THE KINGS TO THE RIGHT]. The heads of wealthy families ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... The royal messenger Thutii, who governed the countries of the ... The kings of Mesopotamia
and of Northern Syria, even ... Mitanni, by the King of the Hittites, and by ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... warlike, had been attracted, like the Hittites of some ... It became the custom for the
kings and vicegerents to ... and their principal towns are governed by Assyrian ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Resources
Who were the Hittites? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Hittites

Hittites: Called The: Children of Heth

Hittites: Called The: Sons of Heth

Hittites: Conquered by Joshua

Hittites: Descended from Canaan's Son, Heth

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

Hittites: Dwelling Place of

Hittites: Dwelt in Hebron

Hittites: Esau Intermarries With

Hittites: Governed by Kings

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

Hittits

Related Terms

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)

Hivites (24 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)

Girgashites (7 Occurrences)

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Hittite (45 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Heth (13 Occurrences)

Orontes

Luz (7 Occurrences)

Cilicia (8 Occurrences)

Carchemish (3 Occurrences)

Jeb'usites (30 Occurrences)

Armenia (2 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Fortified (79 Occurrences)

Fort (8 Occurrences)

Fortress (75 Occurrences)

Fortification (5 Occurrences)

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)

Amorites (82 Occurrences)

600 (4 Occurrences)

Girgashite (7 Occurrences)

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)

Imported (9 Occurrences)

Exported (2 Occurrences)

Pontus (3 Occurrences)

Barber

Silverlings (24 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Rate (23 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

Arameans (61 Occurrences)

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)

Coast (70 Occurrences)

Cities (427 Occurrences)

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Amorite (81 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Archaeology

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Horse (62 Occurrences)

Euphrates (36 Occurrences)

Mountains (221 Occurrences)

West (110 Occurrences)

Hamath (36 Occurrences)

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)

Elamarna

Tablets (31 Occurrences)

El-amarna

Nations (683 Occurrences)

Moabite (13 Occurrences)

Tell (3056 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Table (125 Occurrences)

Libraries

Philistines (224 Occurrences)

Aram (130 Occurrences)

Moabites (26 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Ziddim (1 Occurrence)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kirjath-sannah (1 Occurrence)

Kirjathsannah (1 Occurrence)

Naming (21 Occurrences)

Neighboring (11 Occurrences)

Jebusi (2 Occurrences)

Jebus (5 Occurrences)

Lud (10 Occurrences)

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)

Ludim (3 Occurrences)

Gebal (3 Occurrences)

Hittites: Esau Intermarries With
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