one of the original tribes scattered over Palestine, from Hermon to Gibeon in the south. The name is interpreted as "midlanders" or "villagers" ( Genesis 10:17 ; 1 Chronicles 1:15 ). They were probably a branch of the Hittites. At the time of Jacob's return to Canaan, Hamor the Hivite was the "prince of the land" ( Genesis 24:2-28 ).
They are next mentioned during the Conquest ( Joshua 9:7 ; 11:19 ). They principally inhabited the northern confines of Western Palestine ( Joshua 11:3 ; Judges 3:3 ). A remnant of them still existed in the time of Solomon ( 1 Kings 9:20 ).
wicked; wickedness
(villagers ), The, descendants --the six in order-- of Canaan the son of Ham. ( Genesis 10:17 ; 1 Chronicles 1:15 ) We first encounter the actual people of the Hivites at the time of Jacobs return to Canaan. ( Genesis 34:2 ) We next meet with the Hivites during the conquest of Canaan. ( Joshua 9:7 ; 11:19 ) The main body of the Hivites were at this time living in the northern confines of western Palestine-- "under Hermon, in the land of Mizpeh," ( Joshua 11:3 ) --"in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entering in of Hamath." ( Judges 3:3 ) comp. 2Sam 24:7