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Genesis 10:16 - Seven Canaanite nations listed.

Genesis 10:16 - בראשית 10:16

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי וְאֶת־הָאֱמֹרִי וְאֵת הַגִּרְגָּשִׁי׃

English Translation

and the Yevusi, and the Emori, and the Girgashi.

Transliteration

Ve'et-hayevusi ve'et-ha'emori ve'et hagirgashi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַגִּרְגָּשִֽׁי׃
וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַגִּרְגָּשִֽׁי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Seven Nations of Canaan

The verse lists three of the seven nations that inhabited the land of Canaan before the Israelites' conquest: the Yevusi, Emori, and Girgashi. According to the Torah (Devarim 7:1), these nations were destined to be displaced due to their idolatrous practices and moral corruption (Rambam, Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 1:3). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) elaborates that these nations were particularly entrenched in wickedness, necessitating their removal to establish a holy land for the Jewish people.

Identification of the Nations

  • Yevusi (הַיְבוּסִי): Identified with the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Yevus) before King David's conquest (Rashi on Yehoshua 15:63). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 56:16) notes that the Yevusim were descendants of Canaan and were known for their fierce resistance to Israelite settlement.
  • Emori (הָאֱמֹרִי): A powerful nation occupying mountainous regions (Bamidbar 13:29). Rashi (on Devarim 1:4) explains that the Emorim were particularly formidable warriors, and their defeat symbolized divine intervention on behalf of Israel.
  • Girgashi (הַגִּרְגָּשִׁי): Less frequently mentioned in Tanach, but the Talmud (Chullin 60b) suggests they voluntarily left the land upon hearing of the Israelites' approach, fulfilling the divine promise (Shemot 23:28) of "sending the hornet" to drive out the inhabitants.

Moral and Historical Significance

The listing of these nations serves as a reminder of the ethical imperative for the Israelites to eradicate idolatry and establish a society based on Torah values (Ramban on Devarim 20:17). The Sforno emphasizes that their expulsion was not merely territorial but a spiritual purification of the land. The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 20a) further teaches that the presence of these nations posed a continuous moral threat, necessitating their removal to safeguard Israel's covenantal mission.

Lessons for Future Generations

Chazal (Sifrei Devarim 60) derive from these verses that just as the physical conquest required moral vigilance, so too must later generations guard against spiritual assimilation. The names of these nations symbolize enduring challenges: the Yevusi (obstinacy), Emori (materialism), and Girgashi (fleeting temptations)—all of which must be overcome to maintain kedushah (holiness) in the land.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the Yevusi, Emori, and Girgashi mentioned in Genesis 10:16?
A: The Yevusi, Emori, and Girgashi were three of the seven Canaanite nations descended from Canaan (son of Ham). The Yevusi later inhabited Jerusalem (called 'Yevus' before King David conquered it), the Emori were a powerful tribe in Canaan, and the Girgashi were another Canaanite group. These nations are frequently mentioned together in the Torah (Rashi on Genesis 10:16).
Q: Why does the Torah list these Canaanite nations in Genesis 10:16?
A: The Torah lists these nations to trace the lineage of Canaan's descendants, showing how they populated the land that would later become the Land of Israel. This is important because these nations would become central to the biblical narrative when the Israelites enter the land (Ramban on Genesis 10:15-19).
Q: What is the significance of the Yevusi people in Jewish tradition?
A: The Yevusi are significant because they controlled Jerusalem (then called Yevus) until King David conquered it and made it his capital (2 Samuel 5:6-9). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 56:16) notes that the Yevusi were known for their strong defenses, which is why Jerusalem remained unconquered until David's time.