Topical Bible: Hivites: Esau Intermarried With

◄ Hivites: Esau Intermarried With ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The Hivites were one of the Canaanite tribes that inhabited the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the groups that the Israelites were commanded to drive out of the Promised Land. The Hivites are noted for their interactions with the patriarchs and the Israelites, particularly in the context of intermarriage, which was a significant issue for the descendants of Abraham.

Esau's Marriages to Hivite Women

Esau, the elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, is a prominent figure in the Genesis narrative. Known for his impulsive nature and his eventual estrangement from the covenantal blessings given to his brother Jacob, Esau's choice of wives is a point of contention and sorrow for his parents. 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 were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah."

While the Berean Standard Bible refers to these women as Hittites, other translations and interpretations suggest that the term may encompass various Canaanite tribes, including the Hivites. This is supported by Genesis 36:2 , which states, "Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite."

Cultural and Religious Implications

Esau's marriages to Canaanite women, including those of Hivite descent, were significant for several reasons. Firstly, they represented a departure from the covenantal lineage that Abraham and Isaac had sought to preserve. Abraham had been explicit in his desire for Isaac to marry within his own kin, sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his family in Mesopotamia (Genesis 24). In contrast, Esau's choice to marry Canaanite women was seen as a rejection of this covenantal tradition.

The intermarriage with Hivites and other Canaanite tribes was also problematic due to the potential for religious syncretism. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This concern is echoed throughout the Pentateuch, where the Israelites are repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations (Exodus 34:12-16, Deuteronomy 7:1-4).

Esau's Response to Parental Displeasure

Aware of his parents' displeasure with his Canaanite wives, Esau attempted to rectify the situation by marrying within the extended family. Genesis 28:8-9 notes, "So Esau realized that the daughters of Canaan were displeasing to his father Isaac, and he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had." This action, however, did not undo the earlier marriages and their implications.

Legacy and Lessons

The narrative of Esau's intermarriage with Hivite women serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical text. It underscores the importance of maintaining covenantal fidelity and the potential consequences of alliances that lead away from the worship of the one true God. The account of Esau and his Hivite wives is a reminder of the challenges faced by the patriarchs in preserving their distinct identity and faith amidst a diverse and often hostile cultural landscape.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 36:2
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
Torrey's Topical Textbook