Heth (2)
Heth in the Table of Nations
In the genealogy of nations found in Genesis 10, Heth is listed as the second son of Canaan, grandson of Ham, and great-grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:15). This same genealogy is repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:13. The placement of Heth between Sidon (the firstborn of Canaan) and the Jebusites may reflect the geographic spread of these peoples, with the Hittites positioned between the Phoenician coast and the central highlands around Jerusalem.
The Sons of Heth and Abraham
The most memorable appearance of the "sons of Heth" in Scripture occurs in Genesis 23, when Abraham negotiated with them to purchase the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah. The Hittites occupied the area around Hebron at this time, and they treated Abraham with great respect, calling him "a mighty prince among us" (Genesis 23:6). Abraham's careful negotiation with Ephron the Hittite to buy the field and cave for the full price of 400 shekels of silver (Genesis 23:16) represents one of the earliest recorded real estate transactions in history and established the patriarchal burial ground.
Connection to the Great Hittite Empire
For many years, scholars questioned whether the biblical Hittites had any connection to the great Hittite Empire centered in Anatolia (modern Turkey). Archaeological discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries revealed a powerful Hittite civilization that rivaled Egypt and Mesopotamia during the second millennium BC. These Hittites had their capital at Hattusa and developed one of the ancient world's most sophisticated legal codes. The relationship between the Anatolian Hittites and the "sons of Heth" in Canaan remains debated, but there is evidence that Hittite groups migrated southward into Canaan, which aligns with the biblical note that they "came from the north."
Heth's Descendants in Later Scripture
The Hittites appear throughout the Old Testament as one of the peoples inhabiting Canaan. They are regularly listed among the nations the Israelites encountered (Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10). Esau married two Hittite women, causing grief to his parents Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35; 27:46). Later, Uriah the Hittite, the loyal soldier whose wife Bathsheba was taken by David, is one of the most memorable Hittite individuals in the Bible (2 Samuel 11). Solomon is said to have had dealings with Hittite kings (1 Kings 10:29).
The Theological Significance of Heth's Line
The inclusion of Heth in the Table of Nations reflects the biblical understanding that all peoples trace their origins to Noah's family. The Hittites, despite being Canaanites by lineage, are portrayed with complexity in Scripture. They showed generosity to Abraham, produced the faithful warrior Uriah, and yet were also among the peoples whose religious practices Israel was warned to avoid.
Biblical Context
Heth appears in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:13 as a son of Canaan. The 'sons of Heth' feature prominently in Genesis 23 during Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah. Hittites appear throughout the Pentateuch and historical books as inhabitants of Canaan (Exodus 3:8; Joshua 3:10). Notable individual Hittites include Ephron (Genesis 23), Esau's wives (Genesis 26:34), and Uriah (2 Samuel 11).
Theological Significance
Heth's genealogy places the Hittites within the broader biblical framework of nations descending from Noah. Their interactions with the patriarchs demonstrate that God's people lived among and engaged with other nations. Abraham's purchase from the sons of Heth represents an act of faith in God's land promise, securing a foothold in Canaan through legitimate transaction rather than conquest. The presence of righteous individuals like Uriah among Heth's descendants shows that faithfulness to God was not limited by ethnic origin.
Historical Background
The discovery of the Hittite Empire's capital at Hattusa (modern Bogazkoy, Turkey) in the early 20th century confirmed the existence of a major Hittite civilization. Thousands of cuneiform tablets revealed their language, laws, treaties, and religious practices. The Hittite Empire flourished from approximately 1600-1178 BC before collapsing during the Bronze Age upheavals. Neo-Hittite kingdoms survived in Syria and southeastern Turkey for several more centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests Hittite populations did settle in various parts of Canaan, consistent with biblical accounts.