Location
Overview
Hormah, in the Negev, carries a name meaning "destruction," and it appears at two opposite moments in Israel's story.
The place of defeat
After the spies' bad report, the people presumptuously tried to enter Canaan against God's word. The Amalekites and Canaanites "smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah" (Numbers 14:45) — a defeat born of disobedience.
The place of devotion
Later, after the king of Arad attacked, Israel vowed to devote the Canaanite cities to destruction; God gave the victory, "and he called the name of the place Hormah" (Numbers 21:3).
An inheritance of Judah
Hormah was afterward reckoned among the cities of the south given to Judah and Simeon (Joshua 15:30; 19:4), and David shared spoil with its people (1 Samuel 30:30).
Events Here
Israel is defeated "unto Hormah" after going up presumptuously
Israel devotes the Canaanite cities and names the place Hormah
Scripture References
9 versesNumbers2 verses
Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
Numbers 21:3
And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah. Hormah: that is, Utter destruction
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 1:44
And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
Joshua3 verses
Joshua 12:14
The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
Joshua 15:30
And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
Joshua 19:4
And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,
Judges1 verse
Judges 1:17
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 30:30
And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 4:30
And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
Archaeology & History
Hormah's exact site in the northern Negev is uncertain, with several mounds proposed. Its name (from a root meaning to "devote to destruction") binds together the two episodes — a defeat and a conquest — that Scripture attaches to it.
Frequently asked about Hormah
Where is Hormah today?
Today, Hormah corresponds to Northern Negev (site uncertain).
What does the name Hormah mean?
The name Hormah means “Destruction, devotion (to destruction)”.
What happened at Hormah in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Hormah include israel is defeated "unto hormah" after going up presumptuously; israel devotes the canaanite cities and names the place hormah.
Where is Hormah first mentioned in the Bible?
Hormah is first mentioned in Numbers 14:45.
How often is Hormah mentioned in the Bible?
Hormah is mentioned in 9 verses across 6 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What does Hormah mean?
It means "destruction" or "devotion to destruction," reflecting both Israel’s defeat there and the later devoting of the Canaanite cities to destruction.
Why is Hormah mentioned twice with opposite outcomes?
First Israel was defeated "unto Hormah" for going up presumptuously; later, after a vow, Israel destroyed the Canaanite cities there and named the place Hormah.