King James Version

What Does Genesis 15:21 Mean?

Genesis 15:21 in the King James Version says “And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 15:21 · KJV

Context

19

The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,

20

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

21

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְאֶת1 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙2 of 8

“And the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְאֶת3 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י4 of 8

“and the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְאֶת5 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י6 of 8

“and the Girgashites”

H1622

a girgashite, one of the native tribes of canaan

וְאֶת7 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיְבוּסִֽי׃8 of 8

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 15:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 15:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 33:2Exodus 34:11Genesis 10:15-19Matthew 8:28Deuteronomy 7:1Exodus 23:23-28

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