Dictionary Summary:One of the original tribes scattered over Palestine, from Hermon to Gibeon in the south. The name is interpreted as “midlanders” or “villagers” ([Gen. 10:17](/gen#Gen.10.17); [1 Chr. 1:15](/1chr#1Chr.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” ([Gen. 24:2-28](/gen#Gen.24.2)). They are next mentioned during the Conquest ([Josh. 9:7](/josh#Josh.9.7); [11:19](/josh#Josh.11.19)). They principally inhabited the northern confines of Western Palestine ([Josh. 11:3](/josh#Josh.11.3); [Judg. 3:3](/judg#Judg.3.3)). A remnant of them still existed in the time of Solomon ([1 Kings 9:20](/1kgs#1Kgs.9.20)). ²