Hazor

Hazor was a major Canaanite city, whose king Jabin led a coalition against Israel; it was captured and destroyed by Joshua (Josh 11:1,10-11,13), later oppressing Israel before being defeated by Deborah and Barak (Judg 4:2).

Hazor was the largest and most important city in Canaan during the time of Joshua, serving as the head of the northern Canaanite kingdoms (Josh 11:10). Its king, Jabin, led a coalition against Israel, but was defeated by Joshua, who captured and destroyed Hazor (Josh 11:1,10-11,13). The city was allotted to the tribe of Naphtali (Josh 19:36). Hazor later revived and oppressed Israel, but was defeated by Deborah and Barak (Judg 4:2,17). The city was fortified by Solomon (1Ki.9.15) and was one of the first cities captured by Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria during his invasion of Israel (2Ki.15.29). Excavations at Tel Hazor have revealed a large, heavily fortified city with Canaanite temples and palaces, as well as evidence of destruction by fire, possibly corroborating the biblical account of Joshua's conquest.

A stronghold of the Canaanites in the mountains north of Lake Merom (Josh. 11:1-5). Jabin the king with his allied tribes here encountered Joshua in a great battle. Joshua gained a signal victory, which virtually completed his conquest of Canaan (11:10-13). This city was, however, afterwards rebuilt by the Canaanites, and was ruled by a king with the same hereditary name of Jabin. His army, under a noted leader of the name of Sisera, swept down upon the south, aiming at the complete subjugation of the country. This powerful army was met by the Israelites under Barak, who went forth by the advice of the prophetess Deborah. The result was one of the most remarkable victories for Israel recorded in the Old Testament (Josh. 19:36; Judg. 4:2; 1 Sam. 12:9). The city of Hazor was taken and occupied by the Israelites. It was fortified by Solomon to defend the entrance into the kingdom from Syria and Assyria. When Tiglath-pileser, the Assyrian king, invaded the land, this was one of the first cities he captured, carrying its inhabitants captive into Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). It has been identified with Khurbet Harrah, 2 1/2 miles south-east of Kedesh.