HORMA (Heb. Hormāh). - A Canaanite city, originally Sephaath, but, by anticipation, always designated by the name applied by the Israelites to H. from the “extermination” (herem, v.) carried out there during its occupation (Num. 21, 1-3; Iude. 1, 17).
H. is mentioned in three biblical episodes. First, in the Israelites’ attempt to enter the land of Canaan from the south, which failed because of the resistance of the Amalekites and Canaanites, who drove them back as far as H. (Num. 14, 39-45). Then in the new attempt, presented as a revanche for the first defeat (Num. 21, 1-3), but which was not followed by occupation, unless it is to be regarded as the same episode in which the defeat, as in other similar cases, is colored by the subsequent victory. This was won when, from Jericho, the tribes of Giuda and Simeon advanced southward, took possession of the city, and devoted it to destruction, replacing the sad name of Sephaath with the glorious one of H. (Iude. 1, 17). H. later enjoyed new life in the territory of the tribes of Giuda and Simeon (Jos. 15, 30; 19, 4).
Taken together, the biblical texts (Jos. 12, 14; I Par. 4, 30) indicate that it should be sought within the region of Bersabea. The proposed identification with Sbejtah, 35 km south of Bersabea, entails too great a distance and is not confirmed by archaeology, which dates its origin to the Nabataeans. The site of Tell es-Seba, also called Tell Mūsā, 5 km south of Bersabea, proposed by Alt, corresponds well to the historical and archaeological requirements.