Archites אַרְכִּי
Inhabitants of a region near Bethel
Biography
The Archites were a people group mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily in connection with the region near Bethel, a city located on the border between the territories of Ephraim and Benjamin. In Jos.16.2, the boundary of Ephraim's territory is described as extending from Bethel to Luz and going down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah, reaching to Jericho and the Jordan River. This suggests that the Archites inhabited a region in the vicinity of Bethel.
The most prominent Archite mentioned in the Bible is Hushai, who is described as King David's friend and advisor. During Absalom's rebellion against David, Hushai remained loyal to the king and acted as a spy in Absalom's court. He successfully countered the advice of Ahithophel, Absalom's counselor, and played a crucial role in helping David regain the throne (2 Samuel 15-17). Hushai's loyalty and wisdom were highly valued by David, as evidenced by his inclusion among the king's chief officials (1Ch.27.33).
Apart from these mentions, little is known about the Archites as a people group. Their association with the region near Bethel and the prominence of Hushai in David's court suggest that they may have been a significant clan or tribe within Israel during the time of the United Monarchy.
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentJoshua 1 verse Study available
- Joshua 16:2
"It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth;"
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2 Samuel 4 verses
- 2 Samuel 15:32
"When David had come to the top, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn, and earth on his head."
- 2 Samuel 16:16
"When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”"
- 2 Samuel 17:5
"Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”"
- 2 Samuel 17:14
"Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 27:33
"Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | אַרְכִּי | H0757 |
Archites
oth) offers difficulties, and it has been suggested that the order of the last two words be changed to read "the border of Ataroth-of-the-Archites." See ATAROTH. G. A. Smith identifies Ataroth with the present Atara on the high road from Jerusalem to Bethel, three and one-half miles South of Bethel and six East of th e upper Beth-horon. Hushai, the "friend" of David, was an Arcbite (2Sa 16:16).
H. J. Wolf
ar'-kivs (the more correct the Revised Version (British and American) rendition of beth ciphrayya', in Ezr 6:1, "house of the archives" instead of "house of rolls" as in the King J