Genesis 10:15 kjv

And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,

Genesis 10:15 nkjv

Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth;

Genesis 10:15 niv

Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites,

Genesis 10:15 esv

Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth,

Genesis 10:15 nlt

Canaan's oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Hittites,

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 15 Meaning

Genesis 10:15 states that Canaan fathered Sidon, who was his firstborn son, and Heth. This verse identifies the progenitors of two significant groups in the ancient Near East: the Sidonians, known for their powerful maritime cities (Phoenicia), and the Hittites, a major imperial power. As part of the Table of Nations, it genealogically grounds these peoples within the lineage of Noah, through Ham and Canaan.

Genesis 10 15 Context

Genesis 10, often called the "Table of Nations," provides a comprehensive genealogical list of Noah's descendants, forming the basis for the various nations and peoples inhabiting the ancient world. It shows the re-population of the earth after the flood, organized by Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Within this chapter, Genesis 10:15 falls under the section detailing Ham's lineage. Ham's son, Canaan, is of particular significance due to the curse pronounced upon him by Noah in Gen 9:20-27, prophesying his servitude to his brothers. This verse directly traces two key branches of Canaan's progeny, Sidon and Heth, whose descendants would profoundly interact with and often oppose the nascent nation of Israel. Historically, the Sidonians (Phoenicians) were major maritime traders and urban dwellers in the coastal regions, while the Hittites formed a powerful empire that influenced vast parts of Anatolia and northern Syria. The naming of these groups sets the historical and geographical stage for much of the Old Testament narrative, particularly regarding the land promised to Abraham, which these peoples inhabited.

Genesis 10 15 Word analysis

• Canaan (כְּנַעַן - Kəna‘an): This name is central to the identity of the land promised to Israel. Kəna‘an, son of Ham, represents the lineage cursed by Noah. His descendants would form the primary indigenous populations of the land Israel was destined to inherit, framing the later conflicts as divinely ordained consequences of this ancestral curse and a sovereign act of God's covenant with Abraham.
• fathered (יָלַד - yalad): The Hebrew verb yalad signifies "to beget," "to bring forth," or "to give birth." In genealogical lists like the Table of Nations, it highlights direct ancestral lines and implies the transmission of a shared identity or heritage from parent to child. It underscores the physical and historical connection between Canaan and his progeny, from whom nations would emerge.
• Sidon (צִידוֹן - Tzîyḏôn): Sidon was a prominent city-state on the Mediterranean coast, a major maritime and mercantile center, part of the region later known as Phoenicia. As Canaan's firstborn, Sidon often appears with Tyre as a powerful coastal entity in later biblical narratives, known for its skilled mariners and its role in trade and often idolatry (e.g., Jezebel, a Sidonian princess).
• his firstborn (בְּכוֹר - bəḵôr): The term bəḵôr designates the firstborn son, holding special significance in ancient Near Eastern culture. The firstborn often received a double portion of inheritance, carried on the family name and leadership, and had a position of prominence. In this context, it emphasizes Sidon's initial primacy among Canaan's direct descendants, implying the city of Sidon was considered a foundational settlement or primary cultural locus among the Canaanites.
• and Heth (וְחֵת - wəḤēṯ): Heth is the ancestor of the Hittites. Unlike the Sidonians who remained geographically focused on a particular region, the Hittites established a vast empire influencing a significant portion of the Near East. The Bible portrays Abraham interacting peacefully with the "sons of Heth" in Hebron (Gen 23), while later Hittites are listed as one of the peoples Israel was to dispossess. Their presence indicates a wide distribution of Canaan's descendants across what would become the covenant land.

Genesis 10 15 Bonus section

• The geographical expanse of "Canaan" in Gen 10:19 (immediately following this verse) extends "from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim as far as Lasha." This boundary demonstrates Sidon's critical role as the northern marker for the Canaanite territories, signifying its ancient recognition as a major settlement.
• While the Hittites mentioned in Genesis (the "sons of Heth") are likely distinct local Anatolian or northern Syrian groups, archaeological discoveries reveal the formidable Hittite Empire (ca. 1600-1200 BC) which greatly influenced the geopolitical landscape, corroborating the biblical mention of their widespread presence and power. The biblical text often uses "Hittite" broadly, possibly referring to a specific group or a wider confederation.
• The "Table of Nations" is not purely a genealogical record but also an ethno-geographical survey. It provides Israel with an understanding of its neighbors and the peoples encountered throughout its history, defining their relationship through shared, albeit diverse, lineage from Noah. This sets a monotheistic view of humanity's origins against pagan cosmogonies that attributed diverse national origins to various gods.

Genesis 10 15 Commentary

Genesis 10:15 succinctly outlines the foundational origins of the Sidonians and the Hittites, two pivotal nations in biblical history. By identifying them as descendants of Canaan, this verse connects them directly to the curse upon Canaan (Gen 9). The inclusion of Sidon as "firstborn" indicates its preeminence or seniority among Canaan's immediate lineage, aligning with its historical importance as an early and powerful city-state on the Mediterranean coast. The subsequent mention of Heth signifies the progenitor of the Hittites, a major regional power whose presence is felt throughout the Old Testament, from Abraham's interactions in Genesis to later periods when their territory formed part of the covenant promise. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding the ethnic and geographic composition of the land promised to Israel, setting the stage for future narratives of conquest, conflict, and cultural intermingling. It reinforces the divine ordering of nations while underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty over them, as He orchestrates their roles in His unfolding redemptive plan.