Hazor
Dictionary of Bible Names

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Hazor
Bible Meaning: Castle, village
Strong's Concordance #H2674

There are several cities named Hazor in Scripture. The first two are within the tribal inheritance of Judah (Joshua 15:23, 25). Another city of the same name was also located a short distance from Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah the prophet (Nehemiah 11:33).

The fourth, and most important Hazor, was within the territory given to the tribe of Naphtali as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

In Scripture, the name Hazor is used as a generic reference to Arab kingdoms threatened by Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:28 - 33).


Source of power

Joshua greatest victory during the conquest of Canaan was his defeat of enemy forces led by Jabin, the king of Hazor. Jabin's huge alliance, composed of Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite and other fighters, sought to overpower the Israelites and stop their domination over the land of Canaan.

Israel's surprise attack, however, of Jabin's forces at Merom near Hazor, completely decimates their army! The king becomes one of thirty-one rulers conquered under Joshua (Joshua 12:19).

Location of Hazor in Ancient Israel Map

The city, burned to the ground by the Israelites (Joshua 11:11), was rebuilt and fortified under King Solomon as a defensive post (1Kings 9:15). During Pekah's rival rule of Israel the Assyrians, under Tiglathpileser, conquered several northern cities and took captives back to Assyria (2Kings 15:29).

Important Verses

Joshua 11:1, 10
And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword . . .

1Kings 9:14 - 16
And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.

And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised: for to build the house of the Lord, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.

2Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

Jeremiah 49:30 - 31, 33
Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the Lord: for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.

Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone . . .

And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.

Additional Studies


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Series Notes
References are based on the
King James Bible translation (KJV).