Hoham

Biblical Account

Hoham was the king of Hebron who appears in chapter 10 of the Book of Joshua. He is named in only one passage of Scripture, Joshua 10:3. The meaning of his name is uncertain.

When the Canaanite city of Gibeon made peace with Israel, Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent messengers to four kings, urging them to join him in attacking Gibeon. These four were Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon (Joshua 10:1-4). Scripture calls them "the five kings of the Amorites" (Joshua 10:5).

When the five kings besieged Gibeon, the Gibeonites appealed to Joshua for help. Joshua marched up from Gilgal all night and attacked them. The text records that God threw the enemy into confusion. It further states that more died from the great hailstones than were slain by the sword (Joshua 10:11), and that the sun and moon stood still (Joshua 10:12-13).

The five kings hid in a cave at Makkedah and were captured. Joshua had his captains put their feet on the kings' necks and then put the kings to death. Their bodies were hung on trees until evening, then thrown into the cave, and its mouth was sealed with great stones (Joshua 10:16-27). The list of conquered kings in Joshua 12:10 also includes "the king of Hebron."

Significance Within Scripture

Hoham appears as a member of the southern Canaanite coalition that opposed Israel. Within the narrative, he serves to illustrate the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. None of Hoham's own deeds or words are recorded. The New Testament does not mention him.

Interpretations and Debates

• The king of Hebron dying twice: Joshua 10:36-37 records that Joshua captured Hebron and killed its king. Since Hoham had already died at Makkedah, a common interpretation holds that the king mentioned there was a successor.
• Differences among the accounts of Hebron's conquest: The conquest of Hebron also appears in the account of Caleb's inheritance (Joshua 14-15) and in Judges 1:10. Scholars offer differing explanations of how these accounts relate to one another.
• Historicity and ethical questions: The relationship between the conquest narratives and the archaeological evidence, as well as the ethical implications of the kings' execution, are treated differently depending on theological perspective. The scene is usually discussed as part of the broader debate over the conquest of Canaan as a whole.

In the Korean Church

Hoham himself is rarely the subject of sermons. Preaching on Joshua 10 generally centers on the sun and moon standing still, Israel's faithfulness to its covenant with Gibeon, and the words "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage" (Joshua 10:25). Hoham is mentioned only as one of the five kings in the background of the narrative.