Genesis 36:21-23

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Footnotes

1. Genesis 36:21 Because of the similarity of the word ‘Horites’ to a Hebrew word for “cave,” the term Horite was formerly interpreted as “cave dweller.” But later archaeological discoveries have shown that the Horites are not to be explained as cave dwellers, but are to be identified with an important group in the Near East in patriarchal times (J. P. Free, Archaeology and Bible History). In fact, neither the Bible nor archaeology has any proof of aboriginal “cavemen.” Cities of great antiquity have been unearthed with ever-increasing evidence that “when civilization appears it is already fully grown,” and “pre-Semitic culture springs into view ready-made” (Hall, History of the Near East).