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Genesis 10:15 - Kena'an's cursed lineage unfolds

Genesis 10:15 - בראשית 10:15

Hebrew Text

וּכְנַעַן יָלַד אֶת־צִידֹן בְּכֹרוֹ וְאֶת־חֵת׃

English Translation

And Kena῾an begot Żidon his firstborn, and Ḥet,

Transliteration

Ukna'an yalad et-Tzidon bekhoro ve'et-Chet.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּכְנַ֗עַן יָלַ֛ד אֶת־צִידֹ֥ן בְּכֹר֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֵֽת׃
וּכְנַ֗עַן יָלַ֛ד אֶת־צִידֹ֥ן בְּכֹר֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֵֽת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Lineage of Kena'an

The verse (Bereshit 10:15) states: "וּכְנַעַן יָלַד אֶת־צִידֹן בְּכֹרוֹ וְאֶת־חֵת" ("And Kena'an begot Żidon his firstborn, and Ḥet"). This passage details the descendants of Kena'an, the son of Cham, and is part of the broader genealogical record in Parshat Noach.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that צִידֹן (Tzidon) was Kena'an's firstborn, and the city of Tzidon (Sidon) was named after him. This aligns with the Torah's frequent practice of associating place names with their founders (e.g., Mitsrayim, Ashur). Rashi further notes that חֵת (Ḥet) was the ancestor of the Ḥittites, a prominent nation mentioned later in the Torah (e.g., in the story of Avraham purchasing Me'arat HaMachpelah from Efron the Ḥittite).

Ramban's Insights

Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that the naming of Tzidon as the firstborn emphasizes the prominence of the Phoenician coastal cities (Tzidon and later Tzor/Tyre) in ancient times. These cities were known for trade and maritime power, which played a significant role in the region's history.

Midrashic Interpretations

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 37:6) connects this verse to the curse of Kena'an in Bereshit 9:25 ("Cursed be Kena'an..."). It suggests that Kena'an's descendants, including Tzidon and Ḥet, inherited his negative traits, leading to their eventual displacement by Bnei Yisrael. The Ḥittites, in particular, are later described as adversaries of the Jewish people.

Historical and Ethical Implications

  • Historical Context: The verse situates the Canaanite tribes in the Levant, later conquered by Yehoshua as part of the divine promise to Avraham.
  • Moral Lesson: The listing of Kena'an's descendants serves as a reminder of the consequences of immoral behavior (as seen in Cham's sin and Kena'an's curse).
  • Geographical Significance: Tzidon and the Ḥittite territories are frequently referenced in Tanach, highlighting their importance in biblical narratives.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Kena'an (Canaan) in the Torah?
A: Kena'an was the son of Cham (Ham) and grandson of Noach (Noah). According to Rashi (Genesis 9:22), Kena'an was cursed by Noach because his father Cham acted improperly. Kena'an's descendants settled in the land that later became known as Eretz Kena'an (the Land of Canaan).
Q: Why does the Torah list Kena'an's children like Tzion and Chet?
A: The Torah lists Kena'an's descendants to show the origins of nations that lived in the Land of Canaan. Rashi explains (Genesis 10:15) that these names represent actual nations - Tzion refers to the Phoenicians of Sidon, and Chet refers to the Hittites. This helps us understand the peoples that Yisrael would later encounter.
Q: What is the significance of Tzion being called Kena'an's firstborn?
A: Calling Tzion (Sidon) the firstborn teaches us it was the most prominent of Kena'an's descendants. The Ramban notes that Sidon became an important coastal city, showing how firstborn status often indicates importance or leadership among siblings in Torah narratives.
Q: How does this verse connect to later Torah stories?
A: This verse introduces the nations that would inhabit Canaan before Avraham arrived. The Hittites (Chet's descendants) appear later when Avraham buys Ma'arat HaMachpela from them (Genesis 23). Knowing their lineage helps us understand these interactions in their proper context.
Q: Why does the Torah spend time listing genealogies like this?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) teaches that every detail in Torah has purpose. These genealogies establish world history and show how nations developed after the Flood. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 37:1) explains they also help us understand the roots of different cultures and peoples.