Bible Dictionaries
Hur

Holman Bible Dictionary

(huhr) Personal name of uncertain meaning, perhaps “white one” or “Horite” or perhaps derived from the name of the Egyptian god “Horus.” 1. Israelite leader who accompanied Moses and Aaron to the top of the mountain in the fight against the Amalekites. Hur helped Aaron hold Moses' hands up so Israel could prevail. In some way not explicitly stated, Moses' hands were the symbol of and instrument for God's power with Israel's army (Exodus 17:10-12 ). Hur and Aaron also represented Moses and settled any problems among the people while Moses ascended the mountain to receive God's instructions (Exodus 24:14 ). This same Hur was probably the grandfather of Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah, who was the artisan in charge of making the metal works for the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 31:2 ). He was Caleb's son (1 Chronicles 2:19 ). A genealogy of Hur appears both in 1 Chronicles 2:50 and 1 Chronicles 4:1 . The text is difficult to decipher at times. Apparently, like the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:1 , these texts show geographical and political relationships of the descendants of Caleb. 2. King of Midian whom Israel slew as they moved toward the Promised Land (Numbers 31:8 ). Joshua 13:21 identifies the kings of Midian as vassals of Sihon ( Numbers 31:1 ). 3 . District governor under Solomon over Mount Ephraim in charge of providing the royal table with provisions one month a year (1 Kings 4:8 ). His name may also be translated Ben-hur. 4. Administrator over half the district of Jerusalem under Nehemiah or father of the administrator (Nehemiah 3:9 ).