The Hebrew word Chivvîy, represented by H2340, identifies a Hivite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine. It appears 25 times in 25 unique verses. The term is consistently used to designate one of the specific groups of people inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest.
In the biblical narrative, the Hivites H2340 are almost always mentioned as part of a recurring list of nations that God promised to drive out of the land promised to Israel. This list typically includes the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, and Jebusites (Exodus 3:8, Deuteronomy 7:1). God commands that these inhabitants, including the Hivites H2340, are to be utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 20:17. Specific geographic locations are associated with them, such as the inhabitants of Gibeon Joshua 11:19 and those who dwelt in mount Lebanon Judges 3:3. While the primary context is one of conflict and displacement, there are instances of interaction, such as when Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite H2340, took Jacob's daughter Dinah Genesis 34:2.
The Hivites are understood in relation to the other tribes of Canaan and the actions commanded against them:
- H3669 Kᵉnaʻanîy (Canaanite): The Hivites are consistently grouped with the Canaanites as one of the peoples inhabiting the promised land, often listed as distinct but related groups facing displacement by Israel Joshua 3:10.
- H2850 Chittîy (Hittite): The Hittite people are frequently named alongside the Hivites in the list of nations God would cast out before Israel Exodus 34:11.
- H567 ʼĔmôrîy (Amorite): The Amorites are another prominent tribe regularly listed with the Hivites, representing the inhabitants whose land Israel was to possess Joshua 24:11.
- H1644 gârash (to drive out): This verb describes God's promised action against the inhabitants of Canaan, specifying that He would drive out the Hivite H2340 from before Israel Exodus 33:2.
- H2763 châram (to utterly destroy): This term conveys the severity of the command given to Israel regarding the Hivites and their neighbors, who were to be devoted to destruction Deuteronomy 20:17.
The narrative role of H2340 carries significant weight in the context of Israel's covenant history.
- Inhabitants to be Dispossessed: The primary role of the Hivites is to represent one of the peoples occupying the land promised to Abraham's descendants. Their presence is the backdrop for God's fulfillment of His promise to give H5414 the land to Israel Exodus 13:5.
- Target of Divine Judgment: The Hivites are marked for removal as part of God's judgment. He promises to drive out H1644 the Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite Exodus 23:28 and commands Israel to utterly destroy H2763 them Deuteronomy 20:17.
- A Notable Exception: In a significant turn of events, the Hivites who were the inhabitants H3427 of Gibeon are the only group explicitly mentioned to have made peace H7999 with Israel, saving themselves from the commanded destruction Joshua 11:19.
- Enduring Remnant: Despite the command for destruction, remnants of the Hivites persisted. They are listed among the people left in the land whom Solomon subjected to a tribute of bondservice (1 Kings 9:20, 2 Chronicles 8:7).
In summary, H2340 Chivvîy is not merely an ethnic label but a key element in the narrative of Israel's formation. The Hivites represent one of the established nations in Canaan that God commands Israel to displace in fulfillment of His covenant promise. While they are primarily portrayed as subjects of divine judgment, the story of the Gibeonites provides a crucial counterpoint, demonstrating a path to survival through treaty. Their story illustrates the complex themes of promise, judgment, and conquest in the Old Testament.
TRV