Halhul
(trembling), a town of Judah in the mountain district. ( Joshua 16:68 ) The name still remains unaltered attached to a conspicuous hill a mile to the left of the road from Jerusalem to Hebron, between three and four miles from the latter.
Public-domain study tools
Bible dictionaries
and reference works
Look up people, places, customs, names, and biblical terms without leaving the site. Every work is identified by author and edition so its explanations can be used as study aids—not mistaken for Scripture.
William Smith
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Public-domain Bible dictionary edition · 4,561 entries on site
Reference workThese public-domain reference works are study aids written by human authors. Definitions and conclusions should be tested against Scripture.
Hashabiah
(whom God regards). A Merarite Levite. ( 1 Chronicles 6:45 ) Another Merarite Levite. ( 1 Chronicles 9:14 ) The fourth of the six sons of Jeduthun, ( 1 Chronicles 25:3 ) who had charge of the twelfth course. ver. 19. (B.C. 1014.) One of the descendants of Hebron the son of Kohath- ( 1 Chronicles 26:30 ) The son of Kemuel, who was prince of the tribe of Levi in the time of David ( 1 Chronicles 27:17 ) (B.C. 1014.) A Levite one of the “chiefs” of his tribe, who officiated for King Josiah at his great Passover feast. ( 2 Chronicles 35:9 ) (B.C. 623). A Merarite Levite who accompanied Ezra from Babylon. ( Ezra 8:19 ) One of the chiefs of the priests who formed part of the same caravan. ( Ezra 8:24 ) (B.C. 536.) Ruler of half the circuit or environs of Keilah; he repaired a portion of the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. ( Nehemiah 3:17 ) (B.C. 446.) One of the Levites who sealed the covenant of reformation after the return from the captivity. ( Nehemiah 10:11 ; 12:24 ) comp. Nehe 12:26 (B.C. 446-410.) Another Levite, son of Bunni. ( Nehemiah 11:15 ) A Levite, son of Mattaniah. ( Nehemiah 11:22 ) A priest of the family of Hilkiah in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua. ( Nehemiah 12:21 )
Hebron
(alliance). The third son of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi. ( Exodus 6:18 ; Numbers 3:19 ; 1 Chronicles 6:2 , 18 ; 23:12 ) He was the founder of a family of Hebronites, ( Numbers 3:27 ; 26:58 ; 1 Chronicles 26:23 , 30 , 31 ), or Bene-Hebron. ( 1 Chronicles 15:9 ; 23:19 ) A city of Judah, ( Joshua 15:54 ) situated among the mountains, ( Joshua 20:7 ) 20 Roman miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beersheba. Hebron is one of the most ancient cities in the world still existing; and in this respect it is the rival of Damascus. It was a well-known town when Abraham entered Canaan, 3800 years ago. ( Genesis 13:18 ) Its original name was Kirjath-arba, ( Judges 1:10 ) “the city of Arba;” so called from Arba the father of Anak. ( Joshua 15:13 , 14 ; 21:13 ) Sarah died at Hebron; and Abraham then bought from Ephron the Hittite the field and cave of Machpelah, to serve as a family tomb ( Genesis 23:2-20 ) The cave is still there, and the massive walls of the Haram or mosque, within which it lies, form the most remarkable object in the whole city. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulil, “the Friend,” i.e. of God, and this is the modern name of Hebron. Hebron now contains about 5000 inhabitants, of whom some fifty families are Jews. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by rocky hills. The valley runs from north to south; and the main quarter of the town, surmounted by the lofty walls of the venerable Haram, lies partly on the eastern slope. ( Genesis 37:14 ) comp. Genesis23:19 About a mile from the town, up the valley, is one of the largest oak trees in Palestine. This, say some, is the very tree beneath which Abraham pitched his tent, and it still bears the name of the patriarch. One of the towns in the territory of Asher, ( Joshua 19:28 ) probably Ebdon or Abdom.
Hebronites, The
A family of Kohathite Levites, descendants of Hebron the son of Kohath. ( Numbers 3:27 ; 26:58 ; 1 Chronicles 26:23 )
Hittits
(descendans of Heth), The, the nation descended from Cheth (Authorized Version Heth ), the second son of Canaan. Abraham bought from the “children of Heth” the field and the cave of Machpelah, belonging to Ephron the Hittite. ’They were then settled at the town which was afterwards, under its new name of Hebron, to become one of the most famous cities of Palestine, and which then bore the name of Kir-jath-arba. ( Genesis 23:19 ; 25:9 ) When the Israelites entered the promised land, we find the Hittites taking part against the invader, in equal alliance with the other Canaanite tribes. ( Joshua 9:1 ; 11:3 ) etc. Henceforward the notices of the Hittites are very few and faint. We meet with two individuals, both attached to the person of David— “Ahimelech the Hittite,” ( 1 Samuel 26:6 ) Uriah the Hittite,” one of “the thirty” of David’s body-guard. ( 2 Samuel 23:39 ; 1 Chronicles 11:41 )
Hoham
(whom Jehovah impels), king of Hebron at the time of the conquest of Canaan. ( Joshua 10:3 ) (B.C. 1450.)
Humtah
(place of lizards), a city of Judah one of those in the mountain districts the next to Hebron. ( Joshua 15:54 )