Difference between revisions of "Horites"

<p> <strong> [[Horites]] </strong> . The pre-Edomitic inhabitants of [[Seir]] or [[Edom]] according to &nbsp; [[Genesis]] 14:6 (a late passage) and &nbsp; Deuteronomy 2:12; &nbsp; Deuteronomy 2:22 (D [Note: Deuteronomist.] 2). Apparently they commingled with the [[Edomite]] invaders, for &nbsp; Genesis 36:20-21; &nbsp; Genesis 36:29 (P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] 3) counts them among the descendants of Esau. The name is usually taken to mean ‘cave-dwellers,’ and this is probably correct. There are many tombs in the rocks at [[Petra]] (cf. Robinson, <em> BRP </em> <em> [Note: RP Biblical Researches in Palestine.] </em> 2 ii. 129, 134), and some of these, like some at Beit Jibrin and some recently discovered at [[Gezer]] (cf. <em> PEFSt </em> <em> [Note: Quarterly Statement of the same.] </em> , 1902, pp. 345 ff., and 1903, pp. 9 12) may have been used as dwellings originally. Sayce ( <em> HCM </em> <em> [Note: CM [[Higher]] [[Criticism]] and the Monuments.] </em> 203 ff.) derives the name from a root meaning ‘white’ as contrasted with the ‘red’-skinned Edomites, while Hommei ( <em> AHT </em> <em> [Note: HT [[Ancient]] [[Hebrew]] Tradition.] </em> 261 ff.) takes it as a form of <em> Garu </em> (or <em> Kharu </em> ) of one of the Amarna tablets. <em> Kharu </em> was, however, in [[Egyptian]] a name for all the inhabitants of Syria (cf. W. M. Müller, Asien <em> und [[Europa]] </em> , 148 ff.), and can hardly be connected with <em> Horites </em> . Driver ( <em> Deut </em> . p. 38) favours the explanation as equivalent to ‘cave-dwellers’ or ‘troglodytes.’ </p> <p> [[George]] A. Barton. </p>