Difference between revisions of "Kenites"

<p> <strong> [[Kenites]] </strong> . A nomadic tribe, closely connected with the <strong> [[Amalekites]] </strong> (wh. see), and probably indeed a branch of them, but having friendly relations with Israel, and ultimately, it seems, at least in the main, absorbed in Judah. <strong> [[Hobab]] </strong> , Moses’ father-in-law (&nbsp; Judges 1:16; &nbsp; Judges 4:11 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ), who had been invited by Moses and had doubtless accepted the invitation to he a guide to [[Israel]] in the wilderness (&nbsp; Numbers 10:29-32 ), was a Kenite; and his descendants came up from [[Jericho]] with the tribe of Judah into the S. part of their territory (Arad is about 17 miles S. of Hebron), though afterwards, true to their Bedouin instincts, they roamed beyond the border and rejoined their kinsmen, the Amalekites, in the N. of the Sinaitic Peninsula (&nbsp; Judges 1:16; read in this verse, with MSS of LXX [Note: Septuagint.] , ‘the Amalekite’ for ‘the people’ three letters have dropped out in the Heb.). When Saul, many years later, attacked the Amalekites, he bade the Kenites separate themselves from them, on the ground that they had shown kindness to Israel at the time of the Exodus (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 15:6 , alluding doubtless to Hobab’s guidance, &nbsp; Numbers 10:29-32 ). In &nbsp; Judges 4:11 [[Heber]] the [[Kenite]] is mentioned as having separated himself from the main body of the tribe, and wandered northwards as far as the neighbourhood of [[Kedesh]] (near the [[Waters]] of Merom). From &nbsp; 1 Samuel 27:10; &nbsp; 1 Samuel 30:29 we learn that in the time of David there was a district in the S. of Judah inhabited by Kenites; it is possible also that <strong> [[Kinah]] </strong> , in the [[Negeb]] of Judah (&nbsp; Joshua 15:22 ), and <strong> [[Kain]] </strong> in the hill-country (&nbsp; Joshua 15:57 ), were Kenite settlements. The <strong> [[Rechabites]] </strong> , with whom the nomadic life had become a religious [[Institution]] (&nbsp; Jeremiah 35:1-19 ), were Kenites (&nbsp; 1 Chronicles 2:55 ). In &nbsp; [[Genesis]] 15:19 the Kenites are mentioned among the ten nations whose land was to be taken possession of by Israel; the reference is doubtless to the absorption of the Kenites in Judah. In &nbsp; Numbers 24:21 f. Balaam, with a play on the resemblance of the name to the Heb. <em> kçn </em> , ‘nest,’ declares that though their ‘nest’ is among the rocky crags (namely, in the S. of Judah), they would in the end be carried away captive by the [[Assyrians]] (‘ <strong> Kain </strong> ’ in &nbsp; Numbers 24:22 is the proper name of the tribe of which ‘Kenite’ Is the gentilic adj.; cf. &nbsp; Judges 4:11 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] . [[Observe]] here that the oracle on the Kenites follows closely upon that on the Amalekites). </p> <p> The word <em> kain </em> means in Heb. a ‘spear’ (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 21:16 ), and in Arab. [Note: Arabic.] an ‘iron-smith’; in Aram, also the word corresponding to ‘Kenite’ denotes a ‘metal-worker’; it has hence been conjectured (Sayce) that the ‘Kenites’ were a nomad tribe of smiths. There is, however, no support for this conjecture beyond the resemblance in the words. </p> <p> S. R. Driver. </p>

<p> A [[Midianite]] race, for [[Jethro]] the Kenite is called priest prince of [[Midian]] (&nbsp;Exodus 2:15-16; &nbsp;Exodus 4:19; &nbsp;Judges 1:16; &nbsp;Judges 4:11). The connection with Moses explains their continued alliance with Israel, accompanying them to Jericho "the city of palm trees" (&nbsp;Judges 1:16; compare &nbsp;2 Chronicles 28:15), thence to the wilderness of Judah, where "they dwelt among the people" (Israel), realizing Moses' promise to Hobab, whose name appears slightly altered as that of a wady opposite Jericho (&nbsp;Numbers 10:32). (See [[Hobab]] .) Hence Saul in a friendly spirit warned them to leave the Amalekites whom he was about to destroy (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6), and David sent presents to them, having previously pretended to [[Achish]] that he had invaded their southern border (&nbsp;1 Samuel 27:10; &nbsp;1 Samuel 30:29). (See [[Heber]] ; HAZEZON TAMAR; RECHABITES; JEHONADAB.) </p> <p> E. [[Wilton]] (Imperial Dictionary). suggests that Kenites is a religious rather than a gentilic term, meaning "a worshipper of the goddess Kain", one form of [[Ashtoreth]] or Astarte. This would account for God's denunciation of the Kenites by [[Balaam]] (&nbsp;Numbers 24:21-22 margin). [[Evidently]] the Kenites to be dispossessed by Israel (&nbsp;Genesis 15:19) were distinct from the Kenites to whom Hobab and Jethro belonged. The latter were of Midianite origin, sprung from [[Abraham]] and Keturah, occupying the region E. of Egypt and W. of [[Seir]] and the gulf of Akabah (&nbsp;Genesis 25:2); the former were [[Canaanites]] of the city Kain, which was taken by Judah (&nbsp;Joshua 15:57). The [[Canaanite]] Kenites Balaam denounces; or else more probably Balaam's prophecy is "Kain (the Midianite Kenites) shall not be exterminated until [[Asshur]] shall carry him away into captivity" (Keil). </p> <p> Thus "strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock," is figurative. The Kenites did not as [[Edom]] dwell in the rocks (&nbsp;Obadiah 1:3-4), but by leaving their nomadic life near [[Horeb]] to join Israel wandering in quest of a home the Kenite really placed his rest upon a safe rock, and would only be carried away when [[Assyria]] and [[Babylon]] took Israel and Judah; with the difference however that Judah should be restored, but the Kenites not so because they forfeited God's blessing by maintaining independence of Israel though intimately joined and by never entering inwardly into God's covenant of grace with Israel. </p> <p> The connection of Midian and the Kenites appears in the name Kenney still attached to a wady in the midst of the Muzeiny or Midianites. Midian (and the Kenites) and [[Amalek]] were associated, as still are the Muzeiny and Aleikat (Amalek). The Muzeiny commit their flocks to women, as Jethro committed his to his daughters. The name Medinah betrays connection with Midian. The power of ingratiating themselves with their neighbours characterized the Kenites (&nbsp;Judges 4:17). Also the love of tent life, hospitality, the use of goat's milk whey, the employment of women in men's work, so that the sexes had free contact and yet the female part of the tent was inviolable (4, 5; &nbsp;Exodus 2:4; Numbers 25). </p>

<p> people who dwelt westward of the [[Dead]] Sea, and extended themselves pretty far into [[Arabia]] Petraea: for Jethro, the priest of Midian, and father-in-law to Moses, was a Kenite, &nbsp;Judges 1:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:55; &nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6 . When Saul was sent to destroy the Amalekites, the Kenites, who had joined them, perhaps by compulsion, were ordered to depart from them, that they might not share in their fate; and the reason assigned was, that they "showed kindness to the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt," &nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6 . Which, according to the margin of our Bible, is to be understood of the father-in- law of Moses and his family. From the story of Jethro, who is expressly said to be a Midianite, they appear to have retained the worship of the true God among them; for which, and their kindness to the [[Israelites]] when passing their country, they were spared in the general destruction of the nations bordering on Canaan. Of these Kenites were the Rechabites, the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Suchathites, mentioned in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:55 , whose chief office was that of scribes. ( See [[Rechabites]] . ) Balaam, when invited by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel, stood upon a mountain, whence he addressed the Kenites, and said, "Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock; nevertheless, the Kenite shall be wasted until [[Asher]] shall carry thee away captive," &nbsp;Numbers 24:21-22 . The Kenites dwelt in mountains and rocks almost inaccessible. They were conquered and carried into captivity, by Nebuchadnezzar. After Saul the Kenites are not mentioned; but they subsisted, being mingled among the [[Edomites]] and other nations of Arabia Petraea. </p>

&nbsp;Genesis 15:19&nbsp;Numbers 24:21-22&nbsp;Exodus 3:1&nbsp;Judges 1:16 <p> The Kenites lived among the Amalekites during the time of Saul. The Kenites “showed kindness” to Israel during the time of the Exodus (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6 ). The chronicler includes the Kenite, Hemath, the father of the Rechabites, as one of the ancestors of the tribe of Judah (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:55 ). No mention is made of the Kenites in the late history of Israel suggesting to many scholars that they disappeared or lost their identity shortly after 1000 B.C. </p> <p> The word Kenite is probably related to an [[Aramaic]] word that means “smith.” Some scholars think the traveling blacksmiths of the Middle Ages resembled the Kenites. This would account for their relations with different peoples. In addition to their nomadic character, the biblical evidence also indicates that the Kenites were never completely absorbed by another people but maintained a separate existence throughout their history. See [[Moses]] , Jethro; [[Cain]]; Amalekites; Midianites. </p>

<p> A people who dwelt west of the Dead sea, and extended themselves far into Arabia Petraea. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, was a Kenite, and his family accompanied the Israelites, and settled with other Kenites in various parts of the [[Holy]] Land, &nbsp;Judges 1:16; &nbsp;4:11; &nbsp;1 Samuel 30:29; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:55 . Heber and the Rechabites were their descendants. The Kenites of whom we read appear to have known and served Jehovah, and the whole tribe were friendly to the Hebrews. Saul spared them, when sent to destroy the Amalekites among whom they dwelt, &nbsp;Numbers 24:20,21; &nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6 . </p>

<p> A people that dwelt with the Amalekites: so called from Kanah, a possession. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, was of this people. (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6) </p>

<p> ''''' kē´nı̄ts ''''' ( הקּני , <i> ''''' ha ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' ḳēnı̄ ''''' </i> , הקּיני , <i> ''''' haḳēnı̄ ''''' </i> ; in &nbsp; Numbers 24:22 and &nbsp; Judges 4:11 , קין , <i> '''''ḳāyin''''' </i> ; of οί Κεναῖοι , <i> '''''hoi''''' </i> <i> '''''Kenaı́oi''''' </i> , οί Κιναῖοι , <i> '''''hoi''''' </i> <i> '''''Kinaı́oi''''' </i> : A tribe of nomads named in association with various other peoples. They are first mentioned along with the [[Kadmonites]] and [[Kenizzites]] among the peoples whose land was promised to [[Abram]] (&nbsp;Genesis 15:19 ). Balaam, seeing them from the heights of Moab; puns upon their name, which resembles the [[Hebrew]] <i> '''''ḳēn''''' </i> , "a nest," prophesying their destruction although their nest was "set in the rock" - possibly a reference to Sela, the city. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, is called "the priest of Midian" in &nbsp;Exodus 3:1; &nbsp;Exodus 18:1; but in &nbsp;Judges 1:16 he is described as a Kenite, showing a close relation between the Kenites and Midian. At the time of Sisera's overthrow, Heber, a Kenite, at "peace" with Jabin, king of Ha <i> '''''Zôr''''' </i> , pitched his tent far North of his ancestral seats (&nbsp;Judges 4:17 ). There were Kenites dwelling among the Amalekites in the time of Saul (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:6 ). They were spared because they had "showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt." David, in his answer to Achish, links the Kenites with the inhabitants of the South of Judah (&nbsp;1 Samuel 27:10 ). Among the ancestors of the tribe of Judah, the Chronicler includes the Kenite Hammath, the father of the Rechabites (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:55 ). These last continued to live in tents, practicing the ancient nomadic customs (&nbsp;Jeremiah 35:6 ff). </p> <p> The word <i> ''''' ḳēnı̄ ''''' </i> in Aramaic means "smith." Professor Sayce thinks they may really have been a tribe of smiths, resembling "the gipsies of modern Europe, as well as the traveling tinkers or blacksmiths of the Middle Ages" ( <i> Hdb </i> , under the word). This would account for their relations with the different peoples, among whom they would reside in pursuit of their calling. </p> <p> In [[Josephus]] they appear as Kenetides, and in <i> Ant </i> ., IV, vii, 3 he calls them "the race of the Shechemites." </p>

<table> <tr> <td> <p> about:Linked/PopularEncycloMaps/kenites.gif?caption=Kenites </p> </td> </tr> </table> <p> Ke´nites, a tribe of Midianites dwelling among the Amalekites (; comp. ), or occupying in semi-nomadic life the same region with the latter people in Arabia Petræa. When Saul was sent to destroy the Amalekites, the Kenites, who had joined them, perhaps upon compulsion, were ordered to depart from them that they might not share their fate; and the reason assigned was, that they 'shewed kindness to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt.' This kindness is supposed to have been that which Jethro and his family showed to Moses, as well as to the Israelites themselves, in consequence of which the whole tribe appears to have been treated with consideration, while the family of Jethro itself accompanied the Israelites into Palestine, where they continued to lead a nomad life, occupying there a position similar to that of the Tartar tribes in [[Persia]] at the present day. To this family belonged Heber, the husband of that Jael who slew Sisera, and who is hence called 'Heber the Kenite' . At a later age other families of Kenites are mentioned as resident in Palestine, among whom were the Rechabites ; but it is not clear whether these were subdivisions of the increasing descendants of Jethro, as seems most likely, or families which availed themselves of the friendly-dispositions of the Israelites towards the tribe to settle in the country. It appears that, whatever was the general condition of the Midianites, the tribe of the Kenites possessed a knowledge of the true God in the time of Jethro [HOBAB]; and that those families which settled in [[Palestine]] did not afterwards lose that knowledge, but increased it, is clear from the passages which have been cited [MIDIANITES; RECHABITES]. </p>