Here is a summary of the article “The Hittites: Between Tradition and History” from Biblical Archaeology Review (42.2, 2016). Below that is a Chronology as contained in that article.
Biblical References and Context
- The Hittites appear 54 times in the Bible, associated with patriarchal and Israelite periods.
- They are depicted as residents of Canaan during the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Genesis 15:20; 23; 25:9–10; 50:13).
- Notable examples include Abraham purchasing the Cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite (Genesis 49:29–32), Esau marrying Hittite women (Genesis 26:34; 36:2), and King David’s soldier Uriah, a Hittite, who was killed so David could take Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11–12).
- Biblical portrayals during the monarchy (Israel and Judah) suggest the Hittites were integrated into Israelite society, e.g., soldiers and trade partners, without special distinction.
Archaeological and Historical Overview
- The Hittites were a prominent Indo-European-speaking civilization in Anatolia and parts of northwest Syria during the second millennium B.C.E.
- Hattuša, the Hittite royal capital (near modern Boğazköy, Turkey), was chosen for defensibility and water supply despite its isolated location. Excavations have revealed:
- Upper and Lower City with walls, gates (Lion, King, Sphinx), and barracks.
- The Great Temple dedicated to the Storm God and Sun Goddess, plus 30 additional temples.
- Yazılıkaya, a rock sanctuary with grandiose reliefs and shrines used for special rituals like New Year festivals.
- Thousands of cuneiform clay tablets, providing the primary source for Hittite history, supplemented by Mesopotamian and Egyptian texts.
- The Hittites referred to themselves as “people of Hatti” and spoke the language of Neša, the earliest known Indo-European language.
- Likely originating from southern Russian steppes, Hittites migrated to Anatolia by the third millennium B.C.E., developing a kingdom by 1650 B.C.E. under King Hattušili I.
Political and Military History
- The Hittite Empire expanded west to Babylon (even ending Hammurabi’s dynasty) and south into Syria, often conflicting with Egypt.
- Diplomacy and conflict are recorded in the Amarna letters, e.g., correspondence between Suppiluliuma I and Pharaoh Akhenaten.
- Famous historical incidents include:
- A proposed Hittite-Egyptian royal marriage, in which a Hittite prince sent to Egypt (Prince Zannanza) was murdered.
- The Battle of Kadesh (1274 B.C.E.) between Ramesses II of Egypt and Muwatalli II of Hatti, often described in Egyptian records as a victory but likely a draw.
- Subsequent peace treaty, the earliest recorded, surviving in both Hittite cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Collapse and Neo-Hittites
- By the early 12th century B.C.E., the Late Bronze Age geopolitical system collapsed. Major powers—including Hatti, Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia—declined or disappeared.
- Smaller Neo-Hittite kingdoms emerged in southeast Anatolia and northwest Syria.
- These Neo-Hittite states were culturally mixed: Hittite, Luwian, Hurrian, Mesopotamian, and Aramean influences. The spoken language was usually Luwian, with some Akkadian or Aramaic.
- Neo-Hittite states coincided with the rise of Israel and Judah; the Bible’s references to Hittites in the monarchy period likely refer to these Neo-Hittites.
Hittites in Biblical Narratives
- The identification of Hittites during the patriarchal period is debated. Possible interpretations:
- Historical reality: Hittites were traders or travelers through Canaan.
- Later narrative anachronism: Biblical texts written centuries later projected Iron Age Hittite reality back onto patriarchal times.
- Literary-theological function: The Hittites may have served as “the other” to define Israelite identity, influenced by Assyrian literary traditions depicting “wicked Hittites.”
Religion and Culture
- Hittite religion emphasized water and rock as sacred elements, visible in city planning and shrines such as Yazılıkaya.
- Kings, including Tudhaliya IV (1237–1209 B.C.E.), are depicted in rock reliefs performing rituals and engaging in diplomacy.
- Hattuša and its temples served dual commercial and religious purposes.
Conclusion
- The Hittites represent a complex intersection of archaeology, ancient Near Eastern history, and biblical tradition.
- While archaeology clearly documents the Hittite empire, its direct correlation with biblical Hittites is uncertain, particularly in patriarchal narratives.
- Neo-Hittite states persisted into the Iron Age, interacting with the emerging Israelite kingdoms and shaping the geopolitical landscape of the southern Levant.
This article blends biblical scholarship, archaeological evidence, and historical analysis to reconcile the Hittites’ biblical portrayals with the archaeological record. It highlights both their empire’s prominence and the interpretive challenges in connecting these ancient peoples to the Bible.
If you want, I can also create a chronological timeline of Hittite history from this article, including biblical references, archaeological periods, and major events—it makes the complex sequence much clearer. Do you want me to do that? A: Yes
Here’s a detailed chronological timeline of Hittite history, combining biblical references, archaeological periods, and major historical events as described in the article:
Hittite Timeline: From Bronze Age to Neo-Hittites
c. 3rd millennium B.C.E. – Migration into Anatolia
- Hittites migrate from southern Russian steppes, traveling south through the Caucasus and Black Sea region.
- Settle in the central Anatolian plateau.
- Speak the earliest known Indo-European language (language of Neša).
- Early history in Anatolia is largely unknown; no written records survive.
c. 17th century B.C.E. (Late Bronze Age begins) – Formation of Hittite Kingdom
- King Hattušili I relocates the capital to Hattuša (~1650 B.C.E.).
- Borders expand, reaching Babylon; Hittites even sack Babylon, ending Hammurabi’s dynasty.
- Introduced to writing and cuneiform by Assyrian merchants.
- Hattuša becomes a political, religious, and commercial hub with temples, city walls, and barracks.
c. 14th century B.C.E. (Amarna Period) – Diplomacy with Egypt
- Suppiluliuma I corresponding with Pharaoh Akhenaten (c. 1350–1320 B.C.E.) via Amarna letters.
- Tensions along Syrian border; Hittite influence in northern Canaan increases.
- Famous diplomatic episode: Egyptian widow (likely Tutankhamun’s queen) requests a Hittite prince to marry her; prince Zannanza is murdered en route.
1274 B.C.E. – Battle of Kadesh
- Egyptian army under Ramesses II and Hittites under Muwatalli II (and Hattušili III) clash.
- Egyptian sources claim victory, but likely a stalemate.
- Hittites consolidate control over northern Syria.
c. 1261 B.C.E. – First Recorded Peace Treaty
- Hittites and Egypt sign the earliest known peace treaty, surviving in Hittite cuneiform (Hattuša) and Egyptian hieroglyphs (Karnak, Thebes).
Early 12th century B.C.E. – Collapse of Hittite Empire
- Late Bronze Age geopolitical system collapses.
- Major powers (Hatti, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia) weakened or disappear.
- Writing in Hittite language ceases.
12th–9th centuries B.C.E. – Neo-Hittite Kingdoms
- Smaller kingdoms emerge in southeast Anatolia and northwest Syria.
- Culturally mixed: Hittite, Luwian, Hurrian, Mesopotamian, Aramean influences.
- Official languages mostly Luwian, some Akkadian or Aramaic.
- Neo-Hittite states coincide with the emergence of Israel and Judah.
- Biblical references to Hittites during the monarchy likely refer to these Neo-Hittites.
Biblical Context
- Patriarchal period (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esau): Hittites present in Canaan; interactions via marriage, land purchases (e.g., Cave of Machpelah).
- Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (Iron Age): Hittites integrated as soldiers, traders, or political entities; biblical references mostly correspond to Neo-Hittites.
- Possible literary/theological role in portraying “the other” in Israelite narratives, influenced by Assyrian tradition.
Religious and Cultural Highlights
- Hattuša: temples dedicated to Storm God and Sun Goddess; commercial and religious center.
- Yazılıkaya: open-air rock sanctuary for special rituals; depictions of gods and King Tudhaliya IV.
- Religion emphasized water, rock, and natural elements in city design.
This timeline aligns the biblical mentions with archaeological and historical evidence, distinguishing Late Bronze Age Hittites from Neo-Hittites of the Iron Age.
