Hivites

The Hivites were an ancient people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. They are described as inhabitants of Canaan at the time of the Israelite conquest. Their name is derived from "Ḥiwwi" in Hebrew. The Bible lists them among the nations that were to be dispossessed by the Israelites, along with the Canaanites, Amorites, Perizzites, and Jebusites. Specific mentions of the Hivites occur in genealogies and lists of peoples in the land.

The most prominent mention of the Hivites is in relation to the city of Gibeon. According to the Book of Joshua, the Gibeonites, who were Hivites, tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them. They presented themselves as travelers from a distant land, fearing the Israelite advance, and secured a covenant of peace. When their deception was discovered, the Israelites were bound by their oath and could not attack them. However, the Gibeonites were made perpetual servants, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Israelite sanctuary.

The exact geographical location and extent of Hivite settlement are not clearly defined in the biblical text. Some scholars suggest they may have occupied hilly regions of Canaan. Other biblical passages also mention Hivites in connection with areas like Shechem and the land of Hamath. Their eventual fate is not detailed, but they are generally understood to have been assimilated into the broader Canaanite population or displaced by the Israelite presence. The identity of the Hivites remains a subject of scholarly discussion, with varying theories on their origin and relationship to other ancient Near Eastern groups.