perhaps from חַוָּה; a villager; a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine; Hivite.
Transliteration:Chivvîy
Pronunciation:khiv-vee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2340}}` (Chivvîy) refers to the Hivites, one of the indigenous peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. The base definition suggests a possible etymological link to חַוָּה (chavvah, `{{H2333}}`), meaning "village" or "encampment." If this derivation is accurate, it would imply that the Hivites were characterized as "villagers" or "dwellers of encampments," distinguishing them perhaps from nomadic groups or those dwelling in fortified cities. However, the primary semantic range is exclusively ethnic, denoting a specific tribal group within the broader Canaanite populace. Their identity is consistently tied to their geographical presence within the promised land.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Hivites are consistently listed among the nations inhabiting Canaan whom the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. They appear in various enumerations of these peoples, often alongside the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.
* Early mentions establish their presence in Canaan, such as Hamor the Hivite, father of Shechem, in [[Genesis 34:2]]. This narrative highlights their established communities and interactions with the patriarchs.
* In the instructions for the conquest, the Hivites are named among the seven nations to be driven out (e.g., [[Exodus 3:8]], [[Exodus 13:5]], [[Deuteronomy 7:1]], [[Joshua 3:10]]). This command underscores their status as divinely appointed targets for displacement due to their idolatry and wickedness.
* A pivotal encounter occurs with the Hivites of Gibeon. Through a clever deception, these Hivites secure a covenant with Joshua and the leaders of Israel, preventing their destruction ([[Joshua 9:7]], [[Joshua 9:11]], [[Joshua 9:19]]). This event, born of Israel's failure to consult the Lord, results in the Gibeonites becoming perpetual "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation ([[Joshua 9:23]], [[Joshua 9:27]]). This incident demonstrates both the Hivites' cunning and Israel's vulnerability to deception when not fully reliant on divine guidance.
* Despite the command for complete eradication, some Hivites, like other Canaanite groups, remained in the land after the initial conquest ([[Judges 3:5]]). These remnants later became subject to forced labor under King Solomon ([[1 Kings 9:20-21]], [[2 Chronicles 8:7-8]]), fulfilling in part the terms of the Gibeonite covenant and demonstrating Israel's eventual dominion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection is to חַוָּה (chavvah, `{{H2333}}`), meaning "village" or "tent-village," which is the proposed root for `{{H2340}}`. This connection, while not definitive, offers a potential insight into their societal structure as dwelling in settled, perhaps unfortified, communities.
Conceptually, the Hivites are inextricably linked to the broader category of "Canaanite nations." These include the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Jebusites, and the generic term "Canaanites" themselves. All these groups represent the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the Promised Land, whose dispossession was central to God's covenant with Abraham and His establishment of Israel as a nation. Their existence and fate are thus intertwined with themes of divine judgment, covenant obedience, and the nature of holy war. The Gibeonite Hivites, in particular, relate to concepts of deception, oath-keeping, and the consequences of human expediency over divine command.
### Theological Significance
The Hivites hold significant theological weight within the biblical narrative:
1. **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty:** As one of the nations slated for displacement, the Hivites exemplify God's righteous judgment against the wickedness and idolatry prevalent in Canaan ([[Leviticus 18:24-28]], [[Deuteronomy 9:4-5]]). Their removal underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants, and His right to give it to His chosen people.
2. **Covenant Obedience and Disobedience:** The command to utterly destroy the Hivites (and other Canaanites) was a critical test of Israel's obedience to the Mosaic Covenant ([[Deuteronomy 7:2]], [[Deuteronomy 20:16-18]]). The Gibeonite deception in [[Joshua 9]] stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of human wisdom and the necessity of consulting God in all matters, especially those pertaining to covenant faithfulness. Israel's failure to fully eradicate the Hivites, as well as other groups, led to ongoing challenges and temptations to idolatry in later periods ([[Judges 3:5-6]]).
3. **The Nature of God's Justice and Mercy:** While commanded to be destroyed, the preservation of the Gibeonite Hivites, albeit as servants, demonstrates a complex interplay of justice and a nuanced form of preservation, even within judgment. It highlights that God's plans can be influenced by human actions (Israel's oath) and that His sovereignty can encompass varied outcomes, even if they arise from human error.
4. **Symbolic Representation:** The Hivites, along with other Canaanite peoples, represent the spiritual and physical obstacles to Israel's full possession of the land and their purity as God's covenant people. Their continued presence served as a constant reminder of the spiritual battle against idolatry and the need for vigilance.
### Summary
The `{{H2340}}` (Chivvîy), or Hivites, were a distinct ethnic group inhabiting Canaan, possibly named for their village-dwelling nature. They are consistently listed among the nations destined for displacement by Israel due to God's judgment against their idolatry. Their most notable biblical appearance is in the account of the Gibeonites, who cunningly deceived Joshua into a covenant, thereby escaping destruction but becoming perpetual servants. The Hivites' story powerfully illustrates themes of divine judgment, the critical importance of Israel's covenant obedience, the consequences of human deception and expediency, and the complex outworking of God's sovereign plan amidst human fallibility. Their continued presence in the land after the conquest served as a persistent challenge and a reminder of Israel's incomplete obedience.
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