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Hori

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Hori in the Bible?

The Horites were a pre-Edomite people dwelling in the mountainous region of Seir, as recorded in Genesis 14:6 and Genesis 36:20-30. The biblical text notes that the descendants of Esau displaced or absorbed the Horites, integrating their land into the territory of Edom.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the Horites clarifies the geopolitical landscape of the southern Levant, showing that the land of Edom was not originally settled by Esau's descendants but was acquired through displacement, which provides context for the complex tribal interactions described in the patriarchal narratives.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Hori. 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 Hori in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Hori clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned: Genesis 14:6Genesis 36:20-30

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

"Hori." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hori/
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