The Horites were the original inhabitants of the region around Mt Seir, south of the Dead Sea. When Esau and his descendants moved into the region, they overpowered the Horites and took possession of the land for themselves. It became part of the land of Edom, and the remaining Horites were absorbed into the Edomites (Genesis 14:6; Genesis 36:20-21; Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 2:22; see EDOM).