חִוִּי (chiv.vi)
chiv.vi
Hivite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun chivvi refers to a Hivite, one of the distinct tribal groups inhabiting Canaan before the Israelite conquest. The term appears twenty-five times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Joshua. These people are listed among the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, establishing their identity as indigenous inhabitants of the land rather than outsiders.
Lexical sources suggest the name may derive from a root meaning "villager," implying a community-based lifestyle distinct from urban centers. Geographically, they are associated with regions near Mount Hermon and Antilibanus in the north, as well as settlements like Gibeon. This distinction is significant because it clarifies that not all Canaanite nations were concentrated in major cities; some lived in smaller, rural communities.
The narrative of the conquest treats the Hivites with specific legal categories. While some groups were to be completely destroyed, others, such as those at Gibeon, survived through a treaty. Later historical records note that some Hivites remained in the land, serving as forced laborers for King Solomon’s building projects. This usage highlights how the term evolved from describing an independent ethnic group to identifying a subjugated population within the United Monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term for Hivite appears in lists that define the ancient landscape of Canaan. These records show a people living in villages and hill country regions, distinct from major urban centers. For modern readers, these names remind us that God’s promises involved real places and real communities. The text does not shy away from the complexity of human history, including conflict and coexistence.
One striking moment occurs in Joshua 9, where a group identified as Hivites secures their survival through a treaty with Israel. This story highlights how divine providence can work through unexpected means, preserving life even in tense circumstances. It invites reflection on how we treat those who are different from us or live among us.
Later references note that some of these people remained in the land, serving in various capacities during the monarchy. This evolution from independent group to resident population shows the changing nature of society over time. The Bible records these details not to glorify war, but to trace the fulfillment of God’s word and the inclusion of diverse peoples in Israel’s story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hivite[s]14×
- and/ the/ Hivite[s]9×
- the/ Hivite2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/חִוִּ֖י7×
- וְ/הַ/חִוִּ֖י4×
- וְ/הַֽ/חִוִּי֙2×
- וְ/הַ/חִוִּ֣י2×
- הַֽ/חִוִּ֖י2×
- וְ/הַ֣/חִוִּ֔י1×
- הַֽ/חִוִּֽי\׃1×
- הַֽ/חִוִּ֥י1×
- הַ/חִוִּ֧י1×
- הַ/חִוִּ֥י1×
- הַ/חִוִּ֣י1×
- הַ/חִוִּ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 9:7
The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you live among us? How could we make a covenant with you?”
This verse captures the pivotal moment when Israel acknowledges the Hivites as a distinct group capable of making a binding covenant, shifting their status from enemy to neighbor.
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Genesis 10:17
the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
Placed in the Table of Nations, this reference establishes the Hivites as part of the indigenous family tree of Canaan, grounding their identity in ancient lineage rather than foreign origin.
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Exodus 3:8
I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Here the Hivite is listed among the nations inhabiting the promised land, emphasizing that God’s deliverance was directed toward a specific geographic reality filled with diverse peoples.
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Judges 3:5
The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
This passage illustrates the complex reality of life after conquest, where Israel lived alongside the Hivites, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining distinct identity in mixed communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Hivites?
Why do Hivites appear in so many lists?
How did the Hivites interact with Israel?
Is there a spiritual lesson about the Hivites?
Every Occurrence (25 verses across 9 books)
Genesis 3 verses
the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
Genesis 34:2Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her.
Genesis 36:2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter…