Genesis 15:20

KJV

And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Hittites {H2850}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Rephaims {H7497},

Complete Jewish Bible

the Hitti, the P'rizi, the Refa'im,

Berean Standard Bible

Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites,

American Standard Version

and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Rephaim,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 15:20 meticulously continues God's profound covenant promise to Abram, enumerating three more of the ten distinct nations whose territories would one day constitute the promised inheritance for Israel. This specific listing of the Hittites, Perizzites, and Rephaim underscores the divine precision and comprehensive scope of the land God solemnly pledged to Abram’s descendants, long before the nation of Israel was even formed, highlighting God's sovereign foresight and the unshakeable nature of His word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a pivotal passage in [Genesis chapter 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - The Abrahamic Covenant Confirmed"), where God formally establishes and confirms His covenant with Abram. Following Abram's expression of concern about having no heir and questioning the fulfillment of God's earlier promises, God reassures him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars of heaven ([Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Countless Descendants to Abram")). The covenant ceremony, a solemn act of divine commitment, culminates in God explicitly defining the extent of the land promised, listing the peoples currently dwelling there. [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "The Boundaries of the Promised Land") provides a comprehensive enumeration of these nations, with Genesis 15:20 specifically mentioning the Hittites, Perizzites, and Rephaim as part of this future inheritance, emphasizing the detailed nature of God's prophetic promise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Abram, the land of Canaan was a patchwork of city-states and tribal territories, inhabited by various peoples with distinct cultural practices and political structures. The region served as a crucial land bridge between major ancient Near Eastern powers like Egypt and Mesopotamia, making it strategically significant. Covenant-making ceremonies in the ancient Near East often involved solemn rituals, such as the cutting of animals (as seen in [Genesis 15:9-17](/genesis/15-9-17 "The Covenant Ceremony")), symbolizing the dire consequences for breaking the agreement. God's act of walking through the divided pieces alone underscored His unilateral commitment and the unconditional nature of His promise to Abram. The specific naming of tribes like the Hittites, Perizzites, and Rephaim, some of whom were powerful or formidable, grounds the divine promise in the tangible reality of the land and its existing inhabitants, setting the stage for future historical interactions and conquests.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 15:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Promise and Covenant Faithfulness**, as God reiterates and expands upon His commitment to Abram, solidifying the [Abrahamic Covenant](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Call of Abram and God's Initial Promises"). The detailed listing of nations also emphasizes **God's Sovereignty over Nations and Land**, demonstrating His absolute authority to dispossess existing inhabitants and bestow territory upon His chosen people. Furthermore, the inclusion of formidable groups like the Rephaim subtly introduces the theme of **Future Conquest and Inheritance**, foreshadowing the challenges and triumphs Israel would face in claiming their promised land, as later detailed in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Conquest of Canaan"). This verse thus serves as a foundational piece in understanding God's long-term plan for Israel's national identity and destiny.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hittites (Hebrew, _Chittîy'_):** Derived patronymically from "Cheth," this term refers to a descendant of Cheth, indicating a member of the Hittite people. Historically, the Hittites were a major power in Anatolia, but their influence and settlements extended into northern Syria and parts of Canaan. Their inclusion in this list signifies God's comprehensive claim over the land, encompassing territories inhabited or controlled by even significant regional powers.
* **Perizzites (Hebrew, _Pᵉrizzîy'_):** This term denotes an "inhabitant of the open country." The Perizzites were one of the Canaanitish tribes, often mentioned in conjunction with other groups occupying the land of Canaan. Their designation suggests a less centralized, possibly rural population, highlighting that God's promise extended to all inhabitants of the land, regardless of their political structure or settlement patterns.
* **Rephaims (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to invigorate," refers to a "giant" or powerful, ancient people. The Rephaim are often associated with formidable stature or strength in biblical texts (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:10-11](/deuteronomy/2-10-11 "The Emim and the Rephaim")). Their inclusion in this list emphasizes the challenging nature of the future conquest for Israel, yet simultaneously underscores God's absolute power to overcome even the most daunting adversaries in fulfilling His divine decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Hittites,"**: This clause introduces the first of three additional nations whose territory is explicitly named as part of the promised inheritance. The Hittites represent a significant, established people group within or adjacent to the land of Canaan, whose eventual dispossession would demonstrate God's sovereign power over historical and geopolitical realities.
* **"and the Perizzites,"**: Following the Hittites, the inclusion of the Perizzites further delineates the scope of the promised land. As inhabitants of the "open country," their presence signifies that God's claim was not limited to major cities or kingdoms but encompassed all settled and unsettled areas within the designated territory, ensuring a complete and thorough inheritance for Abram's descendants.
* **"and the Rephaims,"**: The final nation listed in this verse, the Rephaim, often associated with formidable stature or strength, adds a dimension of challenge and divine might to the promise. Their mention highlights that no human obstacle, however imposing, would stand in the way of God's covenant fulfillment, reinforcing the omnipotence of the God who makes and keeps such promises.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 15:20 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Listing**, meticulously detailing specific tribal groups. This precise naming serves to underscore the concrete and tangible nature of God's promise, moving beyond general assurances to specific geographical and demographic realities. The act of listing these nations, particularly formidable ones like the Rephaim, also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future conflicts and conquests that Israel would undertake to possess the land. Furthermore, the divine authority behind this declaration imbues the list with the weight of a **Divine Decree**, a prophetic statement that guarantees the future dispossession of these peoples, thereby emphasizing God's absolute **Sovereignty** over nations and history. The repetition of "and the..." creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like quality, reinforcing the comprehensive scope of the promised inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 15:20, by precisely naming these nations, profoundly illustrates the **Divine Specificity and Unwavering Nature of God's Promises**. It reveals a God who is not vague in His declarations but meticulously details the very territories and peoples involved in His covenant plan. This specificity builds confidence in the absolute certainty of God's word, demonstrating His omniscience and meticulous preparation for the future of His people. The inclusion of these particular groups, some of whom were powerful or formidable, also underscores God's **Absolute Sovereignty over All Peoples and Lands**. He is the ultimate dispossessor and granter of territory, acting according to His divine will and purpose. This verse serves as a foundational prophecy for the **Future Inheritance of the Promised Land** by Israel, a promise that would shape their national identity and destiny for centuries to come, affirming God's faithfulness to His covenant despite any human obstacles.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "God's Command to Dispossess Nations")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalms/105-8-11 "God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")
* [Acts 7:5](/acts/7-5 "Stephen's Speech: Abraham Received No Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Genesis 15:20 offers profound and enduring lessons about the character of God and the nature of our faith journey. Just as God was meticulously specific and utterly faithful in His promise to Abraham, detailing the very nations to be dispossessed, so too is He faithful to His promises to us. This passage encourages us to trust in God's detailed plan, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable or the timeline extends beyond our immediate comprehension. The centuries-long wait for the fulfillment of this promise, culminating in the conquest under Joshua ([Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua Completes the Conquest")), reminds us of the critical importance of patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith in God's divine timetable. It reassures us that God is actively involved in the unfolding of history, orchestrating events and nations to bring about His ultimate purposes. Therefore, we can rest in the assurance that what God has promised, He will surely bring to pass, regardless of the apparent strength of any adversary or the length of the waiting period.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity of God's promise in Genesis 15:20 strengthen your trust in His faithfulness regarding His promises in your own life?**
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you facing today, and how does God's promise to dispossess the Rephaim encourage you to rely on His power?**
* **Considering the long wait for the fulfillment of this promise to Abraham, what might God be teaching you about patience and perseverance in your own walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Rephaim, and what is their significance in this list?**

Answer: The Rephaim were an ancient, often formidable group of people, frequently associated with unusual size or strength, sometimes referred to as "giants" in biblical texts (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:10-11](/deuteronomy/2-10-11 "The Emim and the Rephaim")). Their inclusion in this specific list of nations to be dispossessed is highly significant. It highlights the challenging and formidable nature of the inhabitants of Canaan that Abraham's descendants would eventually face. By naming the Rephaim, God underscores that even the most powerful, intimidating, or seemingly unconquerable groups would not prevent the ultimate fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. This demonstrates God's absolute power and sovereignty, assuring that no obstacle is too great for Him to overcome in bringing His divine word to pass. Their mention serves as both a prophetic warning of future conflict and a powerful assurance of God's omnipotence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The promise of a physical land to Abraham's descendants, secured by God's unilateral covenant and involving the future dispossession of existing nations like the Hittites, Perizzites, and Rephaim, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly inheritance of Canaan, a land of rest and blessing, serves as a powerful type and shadow of the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest that believers receive through Christ. Just as Israel was promised a land free from enemies and filled with God's presence, so too are believers promised a spiritual kingdom and complete freedom from the dominion of sin, death, and the spiritual adversaries of this world through Christ's decisive victory. Christ is the true heir of all things, the ultimate Seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")). Through union with Him, believers become co-heirs of God's promises, receiving an imperishable inheritance that is not bound by earthly borders but encompasses eternal life, reconciliation with God, and participation in His glorious, everlasting kingdom ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "An Inheritance Incorruptible")). The prophetic dispossessing of the nations in Canaan points forward to Christ's ultimate triumph over all spiritual adversaries—sin, Satan, and death—establishing His eternal reign and securing a spiritual dwelling place for His redeemed people, where God's presence fully abides ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "New Heaven, New Earth, and God's Dwelling with Man")).

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

Isaiah 17:5

And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

Genesis 14:5

And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,