Hittites
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Hittites in the Bible?
The Hittites were an Indo-European speaking people who established a major empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) during the second millennium BCE, frequently interacting with Egypt and other Near Eastern powers through diplomacy and warfare.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Hittite Empire provides essential historical context for the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, clarifying the political alliances, treaties, and military conflicts referenced in the Old Testament narratives involving figures such as Abraham, David, and Solomon.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Hittites. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Hittites in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hittites clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Hittites." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hittites/