The Horites, in the context of the Bible, were a group of people mentioned in the Old Testament. They are traditionally considered to be inhabitants of Edom, a region located in what is now southern Jordan. The name “Horite” may be derived from the Hebrew word for “cave,” suggesting that they might have been cave dwellers.
There are several mentions of the Horites in the Bible. Here are some of the key references:
Genesis 14:6: In this passage, the Horites are mentioned in the context of a war involving several ancient kingdoms. It describes the defeat of the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
Genesis 14:6
Genesis 36:20-30: This chapter provides a genealogy of Esau, who is described as the father of the Edomites. It includes a list of Horite chiefs, suggesting that the Horites were integrated into Edomite society.
20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah,
21 and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom.
22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah—he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness when he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.
25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon, and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.
26 These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran.
27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan.
28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
29 These are the chiefs descended from the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,
30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, according to their various chiefs in the land of Seir.
Genesis 36:20-30
Deuteronomy 2:12: This passage recounts how the Edomites, descended from Esau, lived in the land of Seir before displacing the Horites. It says, “The Horites also dwelt in Seir formerly, but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.”
The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.
Deuteronomy 2:12
