What and who is…
Hor

Hebrew: הֹר

Meaning: mountain

This is the name of 2 biblical places, an ancient king, a Christian martyr.

  1. Mount Hor in the wilderness

    This is one of the mountains of the chain of Seir or Edom, at the edge of Idumea (Numbers 20:22-29; 33:37. It was one of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness (33:37), which they reached in the circuitous route they were obliged to take because the Edomites refused them a passage through their territory.

    It was during the encampment here that Aaron died (Numbers 33:37-41). (See Aaron.)

    The Israelites passed this mountain several times in their wanderings.

    Muslims believe that it bears the modern name of Jabal Hārūn (Jebel Harun—mountain of Aaron), which is the highest and most conspicious of the whole range. It stands southeast of Petra, Jordan, and about midway between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba (Akabah).

    Supposed site of Aaron’s grave in desert of modern day Jordan—satellite view

    It has two summits, in the hollow between which it is supposed that Aaron died and was buried. They site is visited by some Muslim and Jewish pilgrims.

    Others feel the true location of Mount Hor is the modern Jebel Madurah (Jebel Maderah), on the opposite, i.e., the western, side of the Arabah.

  2. Horites

  3. Mount Hor in the extreme north of ancient Israel—one of the marks of ancient Israel’s northern boundary (Numbers 34:7-8)

    It is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible. Perhaps it is one of the peaks of Lebanon. Some believe it is the modern Jebal Akkar

    Jabal `Akkar, Lebanon—satellite view
  4. Hori, a Simeonite and father of Shaphat (Num. 13:5)

    Hebrew: חֹרִ֣י

  5. Hori, son of Lotan (1 Chronicles 1:39)

  6. Hor Awibre, aka Hor I—an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty (not mentioned by name in the Bible)

  7. Hor, a Christian martyr in Alexandria, Egypt (4th century)

    He is said to have been tortured at length before being killed with a lance.

Article Version: March 5, 2019