Genesis 10:18

KJV

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Arvadite {H721}, and the Zemarite {H6786}, and the Hamathite {H2577}: and afterward {H310} were the families {H4940} of the Canaanites {H3669} spread abroad {H6327}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the Arvadi, the Tz’mari and the Hamati. Afterwards, the families of the Kena‘ani were dispersed.

Berean Standard Bible

the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Later the Canaanite clans were scattered,

American Standard Version

and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanite spread abroad.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 10:18 concludes the meticulous enumeration of Canaan's descendants within the "Table of Nations," specifying the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite peoples. This verse not only completes the genealogical record but also emphasizes the subsequent widespread dispersal and establishment of the various Canaanite families across the Levant, thereby delineating the demographic and geographical landscape that would become central to the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Israel and the subsequent history of the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of the detailed genealogical record of Canaan, one of Ham's sons, which began in [Genesis 10:15](/genesis/10-15 "Genesis 10:15 - Descendants of Canaan"). It serves as the concluding statement for the eleven sons of Canaan, providing a comprehensive list of the peoples who would inhabit the land later known as Canaan. The entire [tenth chapter of Genesis](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations") functions as the "Table of Nations," systematically tracing the descendants of Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—after the Great Flood. This meticulous cataloging underscores the biblical worldview of a single human origin and the subsequent diversification and dispersion of humanity across the earth, setting the stage for the specific covenant history that begins with Abraham in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abram").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The peoples named in [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Genesis 10:18 - Arvadite, Zemarite, Hamathite")—the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite—represent ancient ethnic groups that settled in the Levant. The Arvadites were associated with the island city of Arwad (Aradus), a prominent Phoenician city on the northern Syrian coast, renowned for its maritime prowess. The Zemarites inhabited Sumur (Simyra), another significant Phoenician city south of Arwad, also along the coast. The Hamathites were linked to the city of Hamath (modern Hama) in central Syria, which would later become a powerful Aramaean kingdom with significant interactions with Israel. The phrase "afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad" reflects a historical reality of population growth, migration, and the establishment of distinct city-states and tribal territories throughout the region, laying the groundwork for the complex geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations") as a whole, and [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Genesis 10:18 - The Spread of Canaanites") in particular, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereignty of God** in orchestrating the dispersion and settlement of humanity, fulfilling His command to Noah to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" ([Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah to be fruitful")). Secondly, it establishes the **geographical and demographic setting** for subsequent biblical narratives, especially the patriarchal accounts and the Israelite conquest. The peoples listed are precisely those inhabitants of the land that God later promised to Abraham's descendants ([Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abram")). Thirdly, it underscores the **proliferation of Canaan's descendants**, whose ancestor was cursed by Noah ([Genesis 9:25-27](/genesis/9-25-27 "Genesis 9:25-27 - Noah's Curse on Canaan")), setting up a theological tension that would play out in Israel's later history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **afterward (Hebrew, _ʼachar'_):** This adverb signifies a temporal sequence, indicating that the spreading abroad of the Canaanite families occurred subsequent to the naming of the specific groups. It implies a process of development and expansion over time, rather than an immediate, static state. Its inclusion highlights the dynamic nature of early human settlement and the unfolding of historical events.
* **families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** This term denotes a circle of relatives, a clan, or a tribe. It emphasizes the societal structure of these early peoples, indicating that they were not merely individuals but organized kinship groups. The use of "families" underscores the genealogical focus of [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations") and highlights the communal identity and propagation of these distinct groups, forming the bedrock of national identity.
* **spread abroad (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** This verb means "to dash in pieces, to disperse, to scatter, or to spread abroad." In this context, it vividly describes the extensive and wide-ranging expansion of the Canaanite peoples. It conveys a dynamic process of population growth leading to territorial diffusion, indicating that these families moved beyond their initial settlements to inhabit a broader geographical area.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite":** This clause completes the specific enumeration of the eleven sons of Canaan, providing the final three names in the list. These are ethnonyms, identifying distinct peoples or inhabitants of specific regions within the broader Canaanite territory. The Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites were significant groups in the northern Levant, representing the diverse geographical reach of Canaan's progeny.
* **"and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad":** This concluding phrase serves as a summary statement for all the listed descendants of Canaan. The temporal indicator "afterward" suggests a period of growth and expansion following their initial establishment. The term "families" (Hebrew: _mishpachot_) emphasizes the tribal and clan-based nature of these societies, while "spread abroad" (Hebrew: _naphatsu_) powerfully conveys their extensive dispersal, proliferation, and territorial establishment across the land. This indicates a dynamic process of population movement and settlement, not merely a static list of names, thereby setting the demographic stage for future biblical narratives concerning the land of Canaan.

#### Literary Devices
[Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Genesis 10:18 - Literary Analysis") prominently employs **Enumeration**, a literary device characterized by a detailed listing of names or items. Here, it completes the specific list of Canaan's descendants, providing a comprehensive record of the peoples who emerged from this lineage. This enumeration is part of a larger **Genealogy**, a foundational literary form in Genesis that traces family lines, establishes origins, and provides historical continuity. The use of **Ethnonyms** (Arvadite, Zemarite, Hamathite) serves to identify distinct ethnic and geographical groups, grounding the narrative in specific historical and cultural realities. Finally, the concluding phrase "and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad" functions as a **Summary Statement** that captures the dynamic process of **Dispersion and Expansion**, transforming a static list into a description of active population movement and territorial establishment. This device highlights the growth and spread of these peoples, emphasizing their widespread presence in the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 10:18, as the concluding entry for the descendants of Canaan, underscores God's meticulous ordering of human history and the precise fulfillment of His commands. The dispersion of these families, though seemingly a simple historical record, is part of God's sovereign plan to populate the earth and establish the nations, even those whose future would intersect with His chosen people in complex ways. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive narrative, particularly the Abrahamic Covenant, by defining the very peoples who inhabited the land promised to Israel. It highlights the divine hand in shaping the demographic and geopolitical landscape into which God's specific covenant promises would be introduced and ultimately fulfilled.

* **Divine Sovereignty in National Formation:** The meticulous detail of the Table of Nations, including this verse, demonstrates God's active involvement in the formation and dispersion of all peoples, fulfilling the mandate given to Noah in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "Genesis 9:1 - God's Blessing to Noah").
* **Foundation for the Abrahamic Covenant:** This verse, by identifying the specific inhabitants of the land, provides the crucial geographical and ethnic context for God's later promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan, as articulated in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - Covenant with Abram").
* **The Outworking of Noah's Curse:** The proliferation and spread of Canaan's descendants, as detailed here, serves as a subtle backdrop to the curse pronounced by Noah upon Canaan in [Genesis 9:25-27](/genesis/9-25-27 "Genesis 9:25-27 - Noah's Curse and Blessing"), foreshadowing the future conflicts and judgments that would befall these nations in their interactions with God's people.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of such precise geographical and ethnic details in [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Reflection on Genesis 10:18") within the broader "Table of Nations" invites us to reflect on the profound depth of God's plan for human history. It reminds us that God is not a God of chaos but of order, meticulously orchestrating the movements and settlements of peoples, even before the specific call of Abraham. For believers, this passage reinforces the Bible's historical reliability and its comprehensive worldview, showing how seemingly disparate details contribute to a grand, overarching narrative. Understanding the origins and spread of these Canaanite families helps us grasp the significance of God's covenant promises, particularly the promise of land, and the subsequent historical interactions between Israel and these nations. It encourages us to see God's hand in all of history, from the global dispersion of humanity to the specific unfolding of His redemptive purposes, reminding us that His plan is sovereign and extends to all peoples.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed enumeration of nations in Genesis 10, including Genesis 10:18, deepen your appreciation for God's sovereignty over human history and geography?**
* **In what ways does understanding the historical context of the Canaanite peoples, as described in this verse, enrich your understanding of later biblical narratives, such as the conquest of Canaan?**
* **What does the concept of "families spreading abroad" teach us about God's command for humanity to fill the earth, and how might this apply to our understanding of human migration and settlement today?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite peoples mentioned in Genesis 10:18?**

Answer: The Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite were distinct ethnic groups descended from Canaan, a son of Ham. They represent ancient peoples who settled in specific regions of the Levant, primarily along the coast and inland Syria. The Arvadites were associated with the island city of Arwad (Aradus), a prominent Phoenician city. The Zemarites were linked to Sumur (Simyra), another Phoenician city south of Arwad. The Hamathites were connected to the city of Hamath (modern Hama) in central Syria, which became a significant Aramaean kingdom. Their inclusion in [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Genesis 10:18 - Arvadite, Zemarite, Hamathite") highlights the diverse geographical spread of the Canaanite nations.

**Why is the phrase "and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad" significant?**

Answer: This phrase is highly significant because it emphasizes the extensive dispersal, proliferation, and territorial establishment of the various Canaanite clans and tribes. It signifies a dynamic process of population growth and movement, indicating that these groups actively expanded and settled the land. This detail is crucial for understanding the demographic and geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan, which these very families inhabited. It underscores the historical reality that would lead to future interactions and conflicts between Israel and the Canaanite nations, as seen in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Genesis 10:18 - Christ-Centered Fulfillment") primarily functions as a historical and genealogical record of the Canaanite peoples, its ultimate significance points to Christ through the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan for all nations. The detailed enumeration of these diverse peoples, including those under the curse of Canaan, underscores the universal scope of human sin and the subsequent need for a universal Savior. The very existence and dispersion of these distinct nations, as meticulously recorded here, sets the stage for God's specific call of Abraham, from whose lineage the Messiah would ultimately come ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - All families of the earth blessed")). In Christ, the divisions and dispersions of humanity, stemming from events like Babel and the subsequent formation of distinct nations, are transcended. His Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission") calls for disciples to be made from "all nations," signifying that the spiritual family of God transcends all ethnic and geographical boundaries established in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"). Through His atoning work, Christ gathers people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation into one body, fulfilling God's original purpose for humanity to fill the earth with worshipers of His name ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 9:2

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

Ezekiel 47:16

Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which [is] between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which [is] by the coast of Hauran.

Ezekiel 47:17

And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And [this is] the north side.

Isaiah 10:9

[Is] not Calno as Carchemish? [is] not Hamath as Arpad? [is] not Samaria as Damascus?

2 Kings 17:30

And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,

2 Samuel 8:9

¶ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

Ezekiel 27:8

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise [men], O Tyrus, [that] were in thee, were thy pilots.