What was Hittites?

The Hittites (Hebrew: חִתִּי Ḥittî, plural חִתִּים Ḥittîm) were one of the ancient people groups listed among the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, in Genesis 10:15—often referred to as the Table of Nations. They appear frequently throughout the Old Testament, both as a notable Canaanite nation and as individuals within the land of Canaan. The Hittites were known for their cities, treaties, and occasional alliances with other nations. They appear in the broader biblical narrative as inhabitants of the Promised Land whom Israel was commanded to drive out. Yet they also intersect with the lives of patriarchs and kings in redemptive history.

The name “Hittite” may be related to the broader Anatolian Hittite empire (based in modern-day Turkey), but the biblical Hittites were likely a distinct though possibly related group settled in Canaan. The Hebrew root ḥtt (חתת) implies “fear” or “terror,” which aligns with their formidable presence in Canaan.

Biblical References

• Genesis 10:15 – “Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites.”

• Genesis 15:20 – Listed among the peoples whose land was promised to Abraham.

• Genesis 23 – Abraham negotiates with Ephron the Hittite to purchase the cave of Machpelah.

• Genesis 26:34 – Esau marries two Hittite women, bringing grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

• Deuteronomy 7:1-2 – God commands Israel to destroy the Hittites along with six other nations.

• 2 Samuel 11:3-17 – Uriah the Hittite, a faithful soldier under David, becomes central in David’s sin with Bathsheba.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Hittites were among the various tribes dwelling in Canaan before the conquest by Israel. They had settled among the hills and cities of the region, forming a part of the diverse and idol-worshipping peoples that made up the land’s spiritual and moral corruption.

Ancient historical evidence also speaks of a vast Hittite empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) that flourished during the 2nd millennium BC. Though the Bible does not directly conflate these two groups, there may have been some cultural overlap or migration. The Canaanite Hittites were likely a localized group or remnant sharing cultural or linguistic heritage with the broader Hittite civilization to the north.

Their inclusion in Genesis 10 places them as descendants of Ham, specifically through Canaan, connecting them to God’s judgment against Canaan’s descendants (Genesis 9:25-27).

Key Biblical Events Involving Hittites

Abraham and the Hittites (Genesis 23)

In Genesis 23, Abraham interacts with the “sons of Heth” (another name for Hittites), negotiating with Ephron the Hittite for the purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for Sarah. This account highlights Abraham’s integrity and the Hittites’ presence as landowners in Hebron, providing a peaceful transaction in contrast to the conquest narratives to come.

Esau’s Wives (Genesis 26:34)

Esau’s marriage to Hittite women—Judith and Basemath—brought grief to his parents, Isaac and Rebekah. This shows early concern for intermarriage with pagan peoples, reflecting the covenantal priority of spiritual purity.

Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11)

Though a foreigner by ethnicity, Uriah the Hittite was a valiant and loyal warrior in King David’s army. His faithfulness stands in stark contrast to David’s sin, showing that even among the Gentiles, individuals could demonstrate covenant loyalty and moral uprightness.

Theological Implications

The Hittites, as descendants of Canaan, represent a people group under divine judgment due to their idolatry and moral corruption (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). Yet individuals like Uriah show that God’s grace and redemptive plan were not ethnically exclusive. Their inclusion in the Table of Nations emphasizes that all nations are accountable to God, and that salvation history involves the rising and falling of nations according to God’s sovereign will.

Their presence in the Promised Land also highlights the holiness of God’s people and the call to be distinct from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.

Connection to Jesus and the Gospel

The narrative of the Hittites points toward several gospel themes:

• God‘s Universal Sovereignty – The Table of Nations in Genesis 10 sets the stage for understanding all peoples as part of God‘s redemptive plan. Jesus, the true Seed of Abraham, brings salvation not just to Israel, but to Gentiles, including descendants of nations like the Hittites (Romans 15:9-12).

• Grace for the Outsider – Uriah the Hittite’s faithfulness foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant. His honorable actions stand as a rebuke to David’s sin, and Jesus’ lineage (Matthew 1) includes Gentile women like Rahab and Ruth, pointing to God’s redemptive heart for all peoples.

• Judgment and Mercy – The Hittites were under judgment due to their sin, but God’s dealings with them (e.g., in Abraham’s peaceful negotiation or Uriah’s noble life) reveal His justice tempered with mercy. In Jesus, judgment and mercy meet at the cross (Romans 3:26).

Broader Biblical Themes

God’s Sovereignty Over Nations

Genesis 10 outlines God’s design for the nations. The Hittites were one of many nations that rose and fell according to His will. The history of Israel and the Gentile nations underscores the reality that God rules over all kingdoms.

Holiness and Separation

God’s command to Israel to drive out the Hittites and other nations (Deuteronomy 7) was rooted not in racial superiority but in the need to preserve Israel from idolatry. This speaks to the believer’s call today to be holy and distinct in lifestyle and worship (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Faithfulness Amid Corruption

Uriah’s life serves as an example of integrity and loyalty in a corrupt world. His inclusion in Scripture challenges believers to remain faithful, even when surrounded by compromise.

Reflection Questions

1. How does the history of the Hittites reflect both God’s judgment and mercy?

2. What can we learn from Uriah the Hittite about loyalty and faithfulness?

3. How does the presence of foreign nations in Israel’s history shape our understanding of God’s plan for all peoples?

4. In what ways does God‘s command for Israel to be distinct from the Hittites challenge Christians today to live holy lives?

5. How does the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan, hinted at in the Hittites’ story, point us to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The story of the Hittites offers a sobering yet hopeful look at how God deals with nations, how He uses even foreigners for His purposes, and how ultimately His plan of redemption includes all people groups through Jesus Christ.