Hori חֹרִי
A Horite people group.
Who is Hori in the Bible?
Hori refers to the Horite people group, an ancient population that inhabited the mountainous region of Seir, also known as Edom, before the Edomites arrived (Genesis 36:22, 1 Chronicles 1:39). The Horites are first mentioned in Genesis 14:6 as inhabitants of the hill country of Seir, and later Genesis 36:20-21 provides a genealogy of their clans and leaders, indicating they were an organized society with distinct family groups. According to Deuteronomy 2:12 and 2:22, the Horites were eventually dispossessed of their land when the descendants of Esau conquered and settled the region, absorbing the Horite population into Edomite society. The Horites' significance lies in their role as the original inhabitants of Seir, establishing the historical context for Edomite settlement and demonstrating the pattern of territorial displacement that occurred in the ancient Near East.
Biography
The Horites were a people group mentioned in the Bible who inhabited the region of Seir, also known as Edom, before the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) settled there. They are first mentioned in Gen.14.6, where they are described as living in the hill country of Seir.
In Genesis 36, the Horites are listed among the descendants of Seir the Horite (Gen.36.20-21, 29-30). This genealogy suggests that the Horites were a distinct people group with their own clans and leaders.
According to Deu.2.12 and Deu.2.22, the Horites previously lived in Seir but were later dispossessed by the descendants of Esau. This indicates that the Edomites conquered or absorbed the Horite population as they established themselves in the region.
The Horites are also mentioned in 1Ch.1.39, which parallels the genealogy found in Genesis 36.
Although little is known about the Horite culture and society, their mention in the Bible provides insight into the various people groups that inhabited the region of Seir before the Israelites and the Edomites. It also demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (or 'Jacob'), even as other nations were displaced.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 36:22
"The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Timna was Lotan’s sister."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:30
"Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, according to their divisions in the land of Seir."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 14:6
"and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:20
"These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:21
"Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants of Seir in the land of Edom."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:39
"The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister."
Deuteronomy 2 verses
- Deuteronomy 2:12
"The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)"
Study Deuteronomy → - Deuteronomy 2:22
"just as He had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They drove them out and have lived in their place to this day."
Study Deuteronomy →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חֹרִי | — | — |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | חֹרִי | — | — |
| Group | Hebrew | חֹרִי | ḥōriy | a Chorite or aboriginal Idumaean |