Genesis 15:21

KJV

And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Amorites {H567}, and the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Girgashites {H1622}, and the Jebusites {H2983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the Emori, the Kena'ani, the Girgashi and the Y'vusi."

Berean Standard Bible

Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.”

American Standard Version

and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Girgashite, and the Jebusite.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The divine enumeration of ten nations whose territories God solemnly promised to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal inheritance. This verse specifically names the Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites, all prominent inhabitants of the land that would eventually become Israel. This meticulous listing underscores the precision, certainty, and comprehensive nature of God's covenant with Abraham, a foundational promise that would guide the destiny of a nation for centuries and foreshadow the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a profound covenant ceremony described in [Genesis chapter 15](/genesis/15 "The Covenant Ceremony with Abraham"), where God formally establishes His promise to Abraham concerning the inheritance of the land and the proliferation of his offspring. The chapter begins with Abraham's expression of doubt regarding an heir, prompting God's re-affirmation of a natural son and a promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars ([Genesis 15:1-5](/genesis/15-1-5 "Abraham's faith and God's promise of an heir")). Following Abraham's act of faith ([Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Abraham's faith counted as righteousness")), the narrative shifts decisively to the land promise, sealed by a solemn covenant ritual involving divided animals, a practice common in the ancient Near East to signify a binding agreement ([Genesis 15:7-17](/genesis/15-7-17 "The covenant ritual and God's appearance")). The [preceding verses, Genesis 15:18-20](/genesis/15-18-20 "The boundaries of the promised land and initial nations"), already established the geographical boundaries "from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" and listed six other nations (Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim). [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The final nations in the promised land list") completes this comprehensive list of peoples whose land God was granting to Abraham's lineage, emphasizing the specificity and scope of the divine promise and setting the stage for future historical events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, land was intrinsically linked to identity, security, and divine favor. Covenants, especially those involving land grants, were often formalized through elaborate rituals, as seen in the "cutting" of the covenant in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "The Covenant Ceremony with Abraham"). The nations listed in [Genesis 15:19-21](/genesis/15-19-21 "The ten nations of the promised land") represent the diverse inhabitants of Canaan, a land strategically located between major empires and known for its fertility. These groups, including the Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites, were distinct tribal or ethnic entities with their own territories, cultures, and often polytheistic religious practices. The divine declaration of their eventual dispossession, as hinted in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full"), was not arbitrary but contingent on the "fullness of the iniquity" of these peoples, implying a period of divine forbearance before judgment. This context highlights God's sovereign right over all lands and peoples, His patience, and His ultimate justice in fulfilling His promises to His chosen people while also holding other nations accountable for their moral corruption.

* **Key Themes:** The enumeration of these specific nations in [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Certainty**. God's promise to Abraham is not vague but meticulously detailed, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His word. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Nations and Territories**. God, as the ultimate Creator and Ruler, has the authority to grant and dispossess lands, determining the destinies of peoples according to His divine will. This theme is crucial for understanding the subsequent history of Israel's conquest of Canaan, as detailed in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "Joshua's commission to conquer the land"). Thirdly, it reinforces the **Land Promise** as a central component of the Abrahamic Covenant, a promise that would shape Israel's identity and history for millennia. Finally, the implied judgment on these nations, linked to their "iniquity" in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "The iniquity of the Amorites"), introduces the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, where God's patience has limits, and His righteous judgment will eventually fall upon those who persist in wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Amorites (Hebrew, _ʼĔmôrîy'_):** Patrial from an unused name, likely derived from a root meaning "prominence," suggesting "mountaineer." The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people, influential throughout Mesopotamia and Canaan. Their inclusion highlights their significant presence in the region and their eventual displacement by the Israelites, as seen in later biblical narratives like those in [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21-35 "Israel's defeat of Sihon and Og, Amorite kings").
* **Canaanites (Hebrew, _Kᵉnaʻanîy'_):** Patrial from "Canaan." While "Canaanites" can broadly refer to all inhabitants of Canaan, here they are listed alongside other specific tribes, indicating a distinct group within the larger population, perhaps those inhabiting the plains or coastal areas. By implication, the term also came to mean "merchant" or "trafficker," reflecting their commercial activities. Their presence underscores the general inhabitants of the promised land, whose idolatrous practices were pervasive.
* **Girgashites (Hebrew, _Girgâshîy'_):** Patrial from an unused name of uncertain derivation. This tribe is less frequently mentioned in the biblical narrative compared to others but is consistently included in these lists of nations destined for dispossession (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Nations to be dispossessed")). Their consistent inclusion affirms the completeness and specificity of God's plan for the land.
* **Jebusites (Hebrew, _Yᵉbûwçîy'_):** Patrial from "Jebus," the ancient name for Jerusalem. These were the inhabitants of Jerusalem before [King David conquered it](/2_samuel/5-6-9 "David's conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites") centuries later. Their specific mention foreshadows the long historical trajectory of God's promise, culminating in the establishment of Israel's capital and central sanctuary in their former stronghold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Amorites":** This clause introduces the first of four specific tribal groups mentioned in this verse, a prominent Semitic people known for their strength and widespread presence in Canaan, whose territory would be part of the promised inheritance.
* **"and the Canaanites":** This refers to a distinct subgroup of the broader Canaanite population, emphasizing the diverse ethnic composition of the land and God's intention to dispossess all who stood in the way of His covenant promise.
* **"and the Girgashites":** The inclusion of this less prominent tribe underscores the comprehensive nature of God's promise, indicating that no inhabitant of the designated territory would be exempt from the divine decree of dispossession.
* **"and the Jebusites":** This final clause names the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem, highlighting the strategic importance of their territory and foreshadowing the eventual Israelite conquest of this key city, centuries after Abraham.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites") is **Enumeration**, which is the listing of items for emphasis or clarity. Here, it meticulously details the specific tribal groups inhabiting the land promised to Abraham, providing concrete evidence of the scope and specificity of God's covenant. This detailed listing also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, prophetically outlining the future conquest of Canaan by the Israelites as recounted in the book of Joshua. The repetition of similar lists throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "God's promise to bring Israel to a land flowing with milk and honey")) further emphasizes the divine decree and the certainty of its fulfillment. Furthermore, the very act of naming these nations imbues them with a symbolic significance: they represent the obstacles that God's people would overcome, demonstrating God's power to clear the way for His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous listing of these nations in [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites") serves as a powerful testament to the unwavering nature of God's covenant with Abraham. It demonstrates that God's promises are not vague aspirations but specific, tangible commitments that will be fulfilled in His timing, even if it requires generations and the dramatic reshaping of geopolitical realities. This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and territories, asserting His right to establish and disestablish peoples according to His divine will and righteous judgment. The detailed nature of the promise instills confidence in God's faithfulness, reminding believers that His word is utterly reliable and His plans will ultimately prevail.

* [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "God's promise to bring Israel to a land flowing with milk and honey")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1-2 "The command to dispossess the nations of Canaan")
* [Joshua 3:10](/joshua/3-10 "God's promise to drive out the nations before Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "God's detailed promise of land") reinforces the enduring truth of God's faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His detailed promise to Abraham regarding the land and its inhabitants, so too can we trust in His promises concerning our lives, salvation, and the future. This passage encourages patience and steadfast faith, reminding us that God's grand plans unfold according to His perfect timeline, often over generations, and that His word is utterly reliable. It also speaks to God's ultimate justice and His sovereign right to establish and disestablish nations according to His divine will, offering profound comfort and assurance that He is always in control, even amidst the complexities and uncertainties of world events. We are called to trust in His comprehensive vision, knowing that every detail of His redemptive plan will come to fruition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity of God's promise in Genesis 15:21 deepen your trust in His faithfulness regarding His promises to you?**
* **Considering God's sovereignty over nations, how might this passage influence your perspective on current global events and the rise and fall of empires?**
* **What does the long delay between the promise to Abraham and its fulfillment in Joshua teach us about divine timing and human patience?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to exercise greater faith and patience, knowing that God's detailed plans will ultimately be realized?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific nations listed?**

Answer: The listing of these specific nations (Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites, along with the six others in [Genesis 15:19-20](/genesis/15-19-20 "The other nations in the promised land list")) serves to precisely define the geographical and demographic scope of the land God promised to Abraham's descendants. It underscores the specificity and tangibility of God's covenant, detailing the existing inhabitants who would eventually be dispossessed to make way for Israel. This meticulous detail demonstrates God's foreknowledge and the comprehensive nature of His divine plan.

**Does God's promise to dispossess these nations imply injustice?**

Answer: From a biblical perspective, God, as the Creator and Sovereign of all the earth, has the ultimate right to determine the boundaries and inhabitants of nations. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "The iniquity of the Amorites") indicates that the "iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full," suggesting that the dispossession was not arbitrary but a delayed judgment for their moral corruption, idolatry, and egregious practices, which had reached a point requiring divine intervention. God's judgment, though severe, is always rooted in His perfect righteousness and justice, providing ample time for repentance before the full measure of sin is met with consequence.

**How does this ancient promise relate to modern geopolitics?**

Answer: While [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The promised land nations") describes a specific historical and theological promise to Abraham concerning the land of Canaan, its primary application for contemporary believers is theological, highlighting God's covenant faithfulness and sovereignty. Interpreting this passage directly as a blueprint for modern geopolitical conflicts or land claims requires careful theological discernment and often leads to misapplication. The New Testament shifts the primary focus from a physical land to a spiritual inheritance in Christ for all believers, transcending ethnic and geographical boundaries, as seen in passages like [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs according to the promise through Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 15:21](/genesis/15-21 "The nations of the promised land") meticulously details a physical land promise to Abraham's descendants, its ultimate fulfillment points profoundly to Christ and the spiritual reality of God's kingdom. The promise of an inheritance, initially tied to a specific territory and the dispossession of nations, finds its spiritual and eternal reality in the new covenant established by Christ. He is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all the nations of the earth are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ is the Seed of Abraham")). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ establishes a new covenant, making all believers—both Jew and Gentile—heirs to an [eternal inheritance](/ephesians/1-11 "Our inheritance in Christ") that transcends geographical boundaries and earthly limitations. The "land" becomes a metaphor for the new creation, the spiritual blessings found in union with Christ, and the eschatological reality of God's dwelling with His people in a new heaven and a new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "A new heaven and a new earth")). In Christ, God's promises are fulfilled in a far grander, more inclusive, and eternally significant way, gathering a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His glorious, everlasting kingdom ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "A great multitude from every nation worshipping God")).

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

Exodus 33:2

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

Exodus 23:23

For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

Exodus 23:28

And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

Deuteronomy 7:1

¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, 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 thou;

Exodus 34:11

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Genesis 10:15

¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.