from חוֹר; cave-dweller or troglodyte; a Chorite or aboriginal Idumaean; Horims, Horites.
Transliteration:Chôrîy
Pronunciation:kho-ree'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2752}}`, *Chôrîy* (חֹרִי), derives directly from the noun `{{H2356}}`, *chôr* (חוֹר), which signifies a "hole," "cave," or "cavern." Consequently, the foundational meaning of *Chôrîy* is "cave-dweller" or "troglodyte." This etymological root strongly suggests a people characterized by their dwelling in natural caves or excavated shelters, likely due to the mountainous and rugged terrain they inhabited. Beyond this literal description, *Chôrîy* functions as an ethnonym, designating a specific aboriginal people known as the Horites or Horims. This group was historically associated with the region of Mount Seir, which later became the land of Edom. The semantic range thus encompasses both a descriptive characteristic (cave-dwelling) and a proper noun identifying a distinct ancient population.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Horites are primarily mentioned in the books of Genesis and Deuteronomy, consistently identified as the pre-Edomite inhabitants of Mount Seir.
In [[Genesis 14:6]], they are listed among the peoples subdued by Chedorlaomer and his allies during their campaign through Transjordan. This early mention establishes their presence in the region long before the arrival of Esau's descendants. The verse states that Chedorlaomer's coalition "smote the Horites in their Mount Seir."
The most significant concentration of references occurs in [[Genesis 36]], which details the genealogy of Esau and the origins of the Edomite nation. Here, the Horites are presented as the indigenous population with whom Esau's descendants intermarried and from whom they eventually inherited the land. Verses like [[Genesis 36:2]] and [[Genesis 36:20]] explicitly name Horite individuals and clans, such as Seir the Horite, whose descendants are listed as "chiefs of the Horites" ([[Genesis 36:29]], [[Genesis 36:30]]). This highlights their established social and political structure within the land before the Edomite ascendancy.
Deuteronomy provides a crucial theological and historical commentary on the Horites' fate. In [[Deuteronomy 2:12]], Moses recounts how "the sons of Esau dispossessed them, and destroyed them from before them, and settled in their place; just as Israel did to the land of their possession, which the Lord gave to them." This parallel is reiterated in [[Deuteronomy 2:22]], emphasizing that the Lord enabled the Edomites to dispossess the Horites, just as He would enable Israel to dispossess the Canaanites. These passages frame the Horites' displacement within a broader divine pattern of land allocation and national sovereignty.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to the root noun `{{H2356}}` (*chôr*), "hole" or "cave," which underpins the very name of the Horites. This etymological link firmly grounds their identity in their dwelling habits or the nature of their territory.
Conceptually, the Horites are intimately connected with **Edom** and **Mount Seir**. They represent the original inhabitants of this mountainous region, whose displacement by the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) is a key narrative element. This relationship illuminates the process of national formation and territorial acquisition in the ancient Near East as depicted in Scripture.
Furthermore, the narrative of the Horites' dispossession parallels that of other pre-Israelite peoples in Canaan and Transjordan, such as the **Anakim**, **Rephaim**, **Emim**, and **Zamzumim**. Like these groups, the Horites represent an ancient, established population that was divinely ordained to be displaced to make way for new inhabitants, specifically the descendants of Abraham through Esau and later Jacob. This theme of **inheritance and dispossession** is central to understanding God's sovereign dealings with nations and His promises concerning land.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the Horites, though seemingly peripheral, is profound, particularly in the book of Deuteronomy. Their story serves as a vital **precedent for God's sovereign distribution of land and His dealings with nations.**
First, the account of the Horites' displacement by the Edomites (Esau's descendants) in [[Deuteronomy 2]] is presented as a direct parallel to Israel's own conquest of Canaan. This demonstrates God's **universal sovereignty over all peoples and territories**, not just Israel. It underscores that the land Israel was about to inherit was not taken by mere human might, but by divine decree, just as Edom's inheritance of Seir was divinely orchestrated. This provides a theological framework for understanding the justice and righteousness of God's actions in history.
Second, the Horite narrative illustrates the **fulfillment of divine purpose and promise**. While the promise of land was primarily to Abraham's descendants through Jacob, the narrative shows God's active hand in settling other nations as well. The removal of the Horites from Seir allowed for the establishment of the Edomite nation, which had its own place in God's broader redemptive plan, even as a rival to Israel.
Finally, the Horites contribute to the **historical grounding of biblical narratives**. Their mention, along with their chiefs and their geographical location, anchors the patriarchal and early national histories in specific, identifiable ancient Near Eastern contexts, reinforcing the Bible's claim as a record of actual historical events under divine providence.
### Summary
The term `{{H2752}}`, *Chôrîy*, denotes the Horites, an aboriginal people whose name means "cave-dweller," derived from the Hebrew word for "cave" (`{{H2356}}`). They were the original inhabitants of Mount Seir, the region that later became the land of Edom. Biblical accounts, primarily in Genesis and Deuteronomy, detail their presence, their clan structure, and their eventual dispossession by the descendants of Esau (the Edomites). Theologically, the Horites' story is highly significant, serving as a powerful illustration of God's sovereign authority over all nations and His active role in the distribution of land. Their displacement by the Edomites is presented as a divine act, paralleling Israel's own inheritance of Canaan, thereby reinforcing the themes of divine providence, historical fulfillment, and God's just governance over the course of human history.
TRV