As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,

2 CHRONICLES 8:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 8:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 8:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 8:7 states that there were still people living in the land who belonged to groups like the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—nations that were not part of Israel. These people remained in the land after Israel had settled there.

This verse is part of a summary about King Solomon’s reign, specifically mentioning the non-Israelite groups still present in the territory Israel controlled. The Chronicler is listing these nations to set up what Solomon did with them, which is explained in the following verses. The verse highlights the ongoing presence of other peoples in the land, even after many years of Israelite occupation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 8:7

  • עַם (ʿam, H5971): This word is often translated as "people" or "nation." Here, it refers to the various non-Israelite groups still living in the land, emphasizing their distinct identity from Israel.
  • יָתַר (yāṯar, H3498): This verb means "to be left" or "to remain." It points out that these groups were survivors or remnants, not the original full populations.
  • Names like חִתִּי (ḥittî, H2850), אֱמֹרִי (ʾemōrî, H567), פְּרִזִּי (perizzî, H6522), חִוִּי (ḥiwwî, H2340), and יְבוּסִי (yevūsî, H2983): These are the names of specific Canaanite nations. Mentioning them by name underlines their historical significance and the fact that they were distinct from Israel.
  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśrāʾēl, H3478): This is the name for Israel, marking a clear line between the Israelites and the other groups.

Why 2 Chronicles 8:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not all the original inhabitants of Canaan were driven out or destroyed when Israel took the land; some groups remained for generations.
  • The mention of these specific nations connects back to earlier biblical promises and commands about the land, showing how history unfolded in reality.
  • By naming these groups, the Chronicler sets up the context for Solomon’s policies toward them, which involved forced labor, contrasting with how Israelites were treated. This distinction becomes important in understanding Israel’s society under Solomon.

Where else these words appear

“Perizzites” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • 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.
  • Joshua 17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.

“Hivites” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • 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:
  • Joshua 11:19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

“Hittites” Hebrew H2850 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
  • Numbers 13:29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
  • 2 Samuel 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.