Horonites חֹרֹנִי
A people group opposed to Nehemiah's work.
Who is Horonites in the Bible?
The Horonites were a people group from Horonaim in Moab who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in the fifth century BC. The most prominent Horonite mentioned in Scripture is Sanballat the Horonite, who appears in Nehemiah 2:10 and 2:19 as one of Nehemiah's chief adversaries. Along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab, Sanballat mocked the Jewish builders and later conspired to attack Jerusalem and create confusion among the workers. The opposition of the Horonites and their allies demonstrates the political and religious resistance that Nehemiah faced, yet their efforts ultimately failed to prevent the completion of the wall. Their resistance serves as a narrative backdrop highlighting both the external obstacles to God's work and Nehemiah's unwavering determination to restore Jerusalem.
Biography
The Horonites were a people group mentioned in the book of Nehemiah who opposed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. They are named after their place of origin, Horonaim, a city in Moab.
Sanballat the Horonite is mentioned as one of the main adversaries of Nehemiah (Neh.2.10, 19). Along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab, Sanballat mocked and ridiculed the Jews' efforts to rebuild the city walls (Neh.2.19). They also conspired to attack Jerusalem and create confusion among the builders (Neh.4.7-8).
In Neh.13.28, it is mentioned that one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. This marriage alliance was a cause of concern for Nehemiah, as it compromised the purity and integrity of the priesthood. Nehemiah took action by driving the man away from his presence.
The opposition of the Horonites and their allies reflects the political and social tensions that existed during the time of Nehemiah. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was not only a physical task but also a symbolic act of restoring the Jewish identity and autonomy in the face of foreign opposition.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 3 verses
- Nehemiah 2:10
"But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 2:19
"But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”"
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 13:28
"Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | חֹרֹנִי |