The Kenites

The Kenites (or Kenite clan) are mentioned many times in the Bible. As early as the time of Abraham, the Kenites were living scattered throughout the region of Canaan, and they consistently maintained a friendly relationship with the Israelites.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, and his family were Kenites who lived in Midian. Jethro’s son, Moses’ brother-in-law, was named Hobab. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, Hobab came to visit. Moses invited Hobab to travel with them so they could share in the blessings together, but Hobab initially declined (Numbers 10:29-32). Hobab’s plan was to return home immediately after his visit, and even though Moses repeatedly asked him to stay and offered to share the wealth with him, he still refused. Later, Moses, remembering Hobab’s extensive experience with wilderness life, pleaded with him to stay and help them, and this time, Hobab agreed.

After the Israelites entered Canaan, Hobab’s descendants settled in the wilderness of Judah, south of Arad, and from then on, they lived among the people of Israel (Judges 1:16).

At that time, about 14 kilometers northwest of the Sea of Galilee, was a place called Hazor. The king of Hazor was oppressing the northern tribes of Israel. In the past, Joshua, with God’s help, had killed “Jabin king of Hazor” and “hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots” (Joshua 11:1-13). Now, the unfaithful Israelites were again facing a resurgent Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor (the name “Jabin” was a title for Canaanite kings, just as “Pharaoh” was a title for the kings of Egypt). His iron chariots completely controlled the main roads, and he oppressed the Israelites for 20 years, causing them great suffering. A Kenite named Heber left his clan and moved north with his family, setting up his tent near the great tree in Zaanannim, living a nomadic life (Judges 4:11). King Jabin and Heber had a good relationship, so the Kenites were left in peace (Judges 4:17).

At that time, the judge of Israel was Deborah, the only female judge in Israel’s history, and everyone accepted her leadership. There was also a man highly favored by God named Barak, the son of Abinoam. Deborah and Barak bravely led the Israelites into battle and finally defeated the Canaanites in the battle at the Kishon River. Sisera, King Jabin’s general, saw his army utterly defeated. He abandoned his iron chariot and fled on foot, hiding in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. While Sisera was sleeping, Jael took a tent peg and drove it into his temple, killing him.

Later, as Israel transitioned from the period of the judges to the kingdom, the second king, David, showed his friendship to the Kenites. After plundering the Amalekites, he took some of the spoils and sent them to his Kenite friends, acknowledging their long-standing friendship with the Israelites.