Genesis - 10:15



15 Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth,

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 10:15.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,
And Chanaan begot Sidon, his firstborn, the Hethite,
And Canaan begot Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth,
And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth;
And Canaan hath begotten Sidon his first-born, and Heth,
And Canaan begot Zidon his firstborn, and Heth;
Then Canaan conceived Sidon his firstborn, the Hittite,
Et Chenaan genuit Sidon primogenitum suum, et Heth,

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Sidon - Who probably built the city of this name, and was the father of the Sidonians.
Heth - From whom came the Hittites, so remarkable among the Canaanitish nations.

And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn,.... Canaan is the fourth son of Ham; the posterity of Phut, his third son, are omitted: the firstborn of Canaan was Sidon, from whom the city of Sidon had its name, being either built by himself, who called it after his own name, or by some of his posterity, who called it so in memory of their ancestor: it was a very ancient city, more ancient than Tyre, for that was built by the Sidonians; Homer makes mention of it, but not of Tyre: it is now called Said, as it was in the times of Benjamin of Tudela (f). Justin (g) says it had its name from the plenty of fish on its coasts; but, since Canaan had a son of this name, it was no doubt so called from him.
And Heth; the father of the Hittites, who dwelt about Hebron, on the south of the land of Canaan; for when Sarah died, the sons of Heth were in possession of it, Genesis 23:2 of this race were the Anakim, or giants, drove out from hence by Caleb, Numbers 13:22 and these Hittites became terrible to men in later times, as appears from 2-Kings 7:6 hence signifies to terrify, affright, and throw into a consternation.
(f) Itinerarium. p. 34. (g) E. Trogo, l. 18. c. 3.

The posterity of Canaan were numerous, rich, and pleasantly seated; yet Canaan was under a Divine curse, and not a curse causeless. Those that are under the curse of God, may, perhaps, thrive and prosper in this world; for we cannot know love or hatred, the blessing or the curse, by what is before us, but by what is within us. The curse of God always works really, and always terribly. Perhaps it is a secret curse, a curse to the soul, and does not work so that others can see it; or a slow curse, and does not work soon; but sinners are reserved by it for a day of wrath Canaan here has a better land than either Shem or Japheth, and yet they have a better lot, for they inherit the blessing. Abram and his seed, God's covenant people, descended from Eber, and from him were called Hebrews. How much better it is to be like Eber, the father of a family of saints and honest men, than the father of a family of hunters after power, worldly wealth, or vanities. Goodness is true greatness.

The account of the posterity of Canaan, and the land they possessed is more particular than of any other in this chapter, because these were the nations that were to be subdued before Israel, and their land was to become Immanuel's land. And by this account, it appears that the posterity of Canaan was both numerous and rich, and very pleasantly seated, and yet Canaan was under a curse. Canaan here has a better land than either Shem or Japheth and yet they have a better lot, for they inherit the blessing.

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