(Hebrew Chamathi', with the article הִחֲמָתַי; Sept. οΑ῾᾿μαθί ), a designation (Genesis 10:18;. 1 Chronicles 1:16) of the last named of the families descended from Canaan (q.v.); doubtless as having settled (founded) the city HAMATH (See HAMATH) (q.v.). The Hamathites were thus a Hamitic race, but there is no reason to suppose with Kenrick (Phoenicia, p. 60) that they were ever in any sense Phoenicians. We must regard them as closely akin to the Hittites (q.v.), on whom they bordered, and with whom they were generally in alliance. (See CANAANITE).