Canaanites: Eleven Nations, Descended from Canaan
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Canaanites, as described in the Bible, are a group of ancient peoples who inhabited the land of Canaan, a region that roughly corresponds to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan and Syria. They are descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham and grandson of Noah, as outlined in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10. The Canaanites are often mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, where they are depicted as both adversaries and inhabitants of the land that God promised to the descendants of Abraham.

Biblical Lineage and Nations

The Canaanites are introduced in Genesis 10:15-18 : "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites." These eleven nations are considered the primary descendants of Canaan and are frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament.

1. Sidonians: Sidon, the firstborn of Canaan, is associated with the city of Sidon, a prominent Phoenician city. The Sidonians were known for their maritime trade and craftsmanship.

2. Hittites: The Hittites are often mentioned as a powerful group with whom the patriarchs interacted. They are noted for their advanced culture and influence in the region.

3. Jebusites: The Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem before its conquest by King David. They are frequently mentioned in the context of the city's history.

4. Amorites: The Amorites were a significant and influential group in Canaan. They are often depicted as formidable opponents of the Israelites.

5. Girgashites: Although less frequently mentioned, the Girgashites are listed among the nations inhabiting Canaan.

6. Hivites: The Hivites are noted for their settlements in the hill country of Lebanon and their interactions with the Israelites.

7. Arkites: The Arkites are associated with the region of Arka, near the northern borders of Canaan.

8. Sinites: The Sinites are one of the lesser-known Canaanite groups, with limited biblical references.

9. Arvadites: The Arvadites are linked to the island city of Arvad, known for its seafaring activities.

10. Zemarites: The Zemarites are another lesser-documented group, associated with the city of Zemar.

11. Hamathites: The Hamathites are connected to the city of Hamath, a significant center in northern Canaan.

Canaanites in Biblical Narrative

The Canaanites are frequently depicted as inhabitants of a land rich in resources and culture but also as a people whose practices were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The Israelites, upon their exodus from Egypt, were commanded by God to conquer and settle in the land of Canaan. This divine mandate is articulated in passages such as Deuteronomy 7:1-2 : "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction."

The Canaanites' religious practices, which included idolatry and child sacrifice, were seen as abominations in the eyes of the Israelites. The biblical narrative often emphasizes the moral and spiritual corruption of the Canaanites, which justified their displacement by the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Context

Archaeological findings have provided insights into the Canaanite civilization, revealing a complex society with advanced urban centers, trade networks, and cultural achievements. The Canaanites were known for their contributions to writing, art, and architecture, and their influence extended throughout the ancient Near East.

Despite their eventual subjugation and assimilation, the legacy of the Canaanites persisted in the cultural and historical memory of the region. Their interactions with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible, continue to be a subject of study and reflection in understanding the ancient world and the unfolding of biblical history.
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Genesis 10:15-19
And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,
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Deuteronomy 7:1
When the LORD your God shall bring you into the land where you go to possess it, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you;
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1 Chronicles 1:13-16
And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,
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Library

Chapter x
... So, in reality, chapter eleven would antedate this portion ... involved in the early
history of the nations. ... must also definitely know who were Canaanites and who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... dropped from the record of Chapter eleven, except that ... in the Jews who conquered
the Canaanites (descendants of ... tell which of two great nations, the Chaldeans ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... his foundation on the sand prepar'd: The rain descended and the ... I saw the sun and
moon, And the eleven stars to ... We thy servants from The land of Canaan to buy ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The Israelites in the land of Canaan: the judges ... from whom they claimed to be descended,
and who ... and had moved southwards, driving the Canaanites before them ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... the time came when kings desired to rule as sovereigns over nations with whom ... of
G. Smith and by Pinches, was legitimately composed of only eleven kings, and ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Proof.""Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the
wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... one in white shining raiment descended, and plucked ... became apparent; and, uniting
with eleven others, they ... heart would be unclean"the Canaanites would dwell ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Resources
What does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Abraham promised land that belonged to others (Genesis 12)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Deborah and Barak? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Canaanites

Canaanites by the Egyptians

Canaanites: Chariots of

Canaanites: Defeat the Israelites

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites

Canaanites: Eleven Nations, Descended from Canaan

Canaanites: Given to the Israelites

Canaanites: Isaac Forbidden by Abraham to Take a Wife From

Canaanites: Judah Marries a Woman of

Canaanites: Not Expelled

Canaanites: Prophecy Concerning

Canaanites: Territory of

Canaanites: The Exile Jews Take Wives From

Canaanites: To be Destroyed

Canaanites: To be Expelled from the Land

Canaanites: Wickedness of

The Canaanites: Abraham was Promised the Country of, of Inheritance

The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst

The Canaanites: Abraham: had his Faith Tried by Dwelling Amongst

The Canaanites: An Accursed Race

The Canaanites: Comprised Seven Distinct Nations

The Canaanites: Country of, Fertile

The Canaanites: Descended from Ham

The Canaanites: Different Families of

The Canaanites: Expelled for Wickedness

The Canaanites: Extremely Numerous

The Canaanites: Great and Mighty

The Canaanites: had Many Strong Cities

The Canaanites: Idolatrous

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Fear

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Follow Customs of

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Follow Idols of

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Intermarry With

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Destroy all Vestiges of Their Idolatry

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Destroy, Without Mercy

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Make No League With

The Canaanites: Israel Ensnared By

The Canaanites: Kind to the Patriarchs

The Canaanites: Part of Left: To Chastise Israel

The Canaanites: Part of Left: To Try Israel

The Canaanites: Partially Subdued by Israel

The Canaanites: Possessions of, How Bounded

The Canaanites: Profane and Wicked

The Canaanites: some Descendants of, in Our Lord's Time

The Canaanites: Superstitious

The Canaanites: Terrified at the Approach of Israel

Related Terms

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)

Hivites (24 Occurrences)

Expel (29 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Taskwork (14 Occurrences)

Taanach (7 Occurrences)

Hormah (9 Occurrences)

Girgashites (7 Occurrences)

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)

Forced (84 Occurrences)

Amalekites (36 Occurrences)

Drove (89 Occurrences)

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)

Dispossess (44 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Period (43 Occurrences)

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)

Defeated (88 Occurrences)

Jabin (8 Occurrences)

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)

Laborers (19 Occurrences)

Ibleam (4 Occurrences)

Tributary (9 Occurrences)

Megiddon (1 Occurrence)

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)

Barak (14 Occurrences)

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Shem (17 Occurrences)

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)

Cruel (196 Occurrences)

Tribute (67 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Dor (7 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Gezer (14 Occurrences)

Labor (181 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)

Fort (8 Occurrences)

Driving (144 Occurrences)

Fortress (75 Occurrences)

Mountains (221 Occurrences)

Fortification (5 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Coast (70 Occurrences)

Overcame (84 Occurrences)

War (529 Occurrences)

Amorites (82 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Lasha (1 Occurrence)

Lowland (34 Occurrences)

Giants (18 Occurrences)

Waxen (12 Occurrences)

Western (19 Occurrences)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)

Foothills (19 Occurrences)

Hazor (19 Occurrences)

Tappuah (8 Occurrences)

Tributaries (4 Occurrences)

Resolved (15 Occurrences)

Rehob (12 Occurrences)

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)

Drave (13 Occurrences)

Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences)

Misrephoth-maim (2 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Persisted (8 Occurrences)

Bezek (3 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

Bethanath (2 Occurrences)

Beth-anath (2 Occurrences)

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites
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