Hittite

Lore & Background

The Hittites appear first in a list of peoples inhabiting the land promised to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:20). In the patriarchal stories, Ephron the Hittite is a prominent figure who negotiates with Abraham for the field and cave of Machpelah as a burial place (Genesis 23:10). Abraham purchases this property from Ephron, and it becomes the burial site for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 25:9, Genesis 49:29-30, Genesis 50:13). Esau, the son of Isaac, marries two Hittite women: Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite (Genesis 26:34). Another wife of Esau, Adah, is also the daughter of Elon the Hittite (Genesis 36:2). These marriages connect the Hittites to the family of Abraham through marriage. In the Exodus narratives, the Hittites are repeatedly listed among the nations that God will drive out before the Israelites when they enter the promised land (Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 23:23, Exodus 23:28, Exodus 33:2, Exodus 34:11). They are consistently grouped with the Canaanites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites as peoples to be dispossessed.

Reader's Guide

The passages portray the Hittites in two distinct roles. First, they are a specific people group living in Canaan during the time of the patriarchs. Ephron the Hittite is depicted as a landowner who deals honorably with Abraham, selling him the cave of Machpelah for a burial site (Genesis 23:10, Genesis 25:9). This transaction is recorded multiple times, emphasizing its importance as a legal possession of the land by Abraham's family (Genesis 49:29-30, Genesis 50:13). The Hittites also intermarry with Esau, as he takes wives from among them (Genesis 26:34, Genesis 36:2). Second, in the Exodus passages, the Hittites are listed among the nations that God promises to drive out of the land before the Israelites (Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 23:23, Exodus 23:28, Exodus 33:2, Exodus 34:11). These lists are formulaic, always including the Hittites alongside other Canaanite peoples. The passages do not describe any conflict or interaction between the Hittites and the Israelites during the Exodus period; they are simply named as one of the groups whose land will be given to Israel. The passages do not provide details about Hittite culture, religion, or history beyond these mentions.

Did You Know?

• Ephron the Hittite sold Abraham the cave of Machpelah for a burial place (Genesis 23:10, Genesis 25:9).
• Esau married two Hittite women: Judith daughter of Beeri, and Bashemath daughter of Elon (Genesis 26:34).
• The Hittites are listed among the nations God promises to drive out before Israel in Exodus (Exodus 3:8, Exodus 23:28).
• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all buried in the field of Ephron the Hittite (Genesis 49:29-30, Genesis 50:13).