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

GENESIS 15:21KJV
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Genesis 15:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 15:21 mean?

Genesis 15:21 lists four groups—the Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites—who lived in the land that God promised to give to Abram’s descendants. This verse is part of a larger promise where God identifies the peoples whose territory would become part of Israel’s inheritance.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Abram (later called Abraham) during a vision, reassuring him about the future of his family. The verse comes at the end of a list of nations inhabiting Canaan at that time, showing the specific scope of the land promise. It highlights that the land was not empty, but filled with established peoples, making God’s promise both specific and significant.

Where else these words appear

“Girgashites” Hebrew H1622 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:14 The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

“Canaanites” Hebrew H3669 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Numbers 21:1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
  • Judges 1:4 And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.