Interesting Facts

• Havilah is identified as one of the sons of Cush.
• The Book of Jasher lists Havilah alongside Seba, Sabta, Raama, and Satecha as the sons of Cush.
• Genesis similarly lists Havilah with Seba, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah as the sons of Cush.
• The dwelling of Ishmael and his sons is mentioned as being “from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt as thou comest toward Assyria”. This suggests a geographical region associated with the name Havilah.
• The Ishmaelites are described as dwelling in the land, having children, and increasing abundantly in the region near the wilderness of Paran, from Havilah to Shur. They later sought assistance from Egypt due to conflict with the children of Tarshish in the “land of Havilah”.

Genealogy

• Havilah is the son of Cush.
• Cush is identified as a son of Ham, who was one of the three sons born to Noah after the great flood.
• The provided texts do not offer any information regarding Havilah’s birth, potential marital connections, or any offspring that he may have had.

Historical Context

The existence of Havilah, as a son of Cush and grandson of Ham, places him in the early generations following the deluge and the subsequent dispersion of peoples after the Tower of Babel. The Book of Jasher indicates that the descendants of Ham migrated to the southern parts of the earth. This period was characterized by the establishment of new settlements and the naming of cities. The mention of the “land of Havilah” in connection with the dwelling of Ishmael, a descendant of Abraham many generations later, suggests a lasting geographical association with the name. The conflict between the Ishmaelites and the children of Tarshish in the land of Havilah indicates a period of territorial disputes and early tribal interactions in this region. The broader context includes Noah giving instructions to his sons regarding righteousness and warnings against the sins that led to the flood, as well as the division of the earth amongst the lines of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Narrative

The narrative pertaining to Havilah, the son of Cush, within these sources is primarily genealogical, establishing his place within the lineage of Ham. While he is listed as one of Cush’s sons, no specific actions or personal details about Havilah himself are provided. However, the subsequent mention of the “land of Havilah” as a dwelling place for the descendants of Ishmael suggests a geographical significance associated with his name that persisted through later generations. The conflict that arose in this region between the Ishmaelites and the Tarshishites highlights the ongoing migrations and territorial claims of the early post-Babel world. Thus, while Havilah’s individual story remains unelaborated, his name appears to have become linked to a specific geographical area that played a role in the later narratives of the descendants of Abraham. His significance lies in his position as an ancestor within the Hamitic lineage and the potential enduring association of his name with a particular land.