Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the Emori, Kena'ani, Girgashi, and Yevusi mentioned in Genesis 15:21?
A: These are four of the seven Canaanite nations that inhabited the Land of Israel before the Israelites entered. The Torah lists them here as part of G-d's promise to Avraham that his descendants would inherit this land. Rashi explains that these nations were particularly powerful and their presence made conquering the land seem impossible, highlighting that it would be a divine gift.
Q: Why does the Torah list these specific nations in Genesis 15:21?
A: The Torah lists these nations to specify which peoples occupied the land that G-d promised to Avraham's descendants. The Ramban explains that mentioning them by name emphasizes the reality of the conquest that would later happen, showing that G-d's promise was specific and tangible, not just a general blessing.
Q: What is the significance of these nations being mentioned in G-d's covenant with Avraham?
A: Their mention shows that inheriting the land would require displacing these nations, which is why G-d later commands the Israelites to drive them out. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20a) teaches that these nations were deeply corrupt, and their removal was necessary to establish a holy nation in the land.
Q: Do any of these nations still exist today?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources, these nations were either destroyed, assimilated, or lost their identity over time. The Talmud (Yevamot 17a) states that Sancheriv, king of Assyria, mixed up the nations, making it impossible to identify their descendants today.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Jewish people's connection to the Land of Israel?
A: This verse reinforces that the Land of Israel was divinely promised to Avraham's descendants. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 44:23) explains that listing these nations demonstrates that despite their presence, the land rightfully belongs to the Jewish people as part of G-d's eternal covenant.
The Seven Nations of Canaan
The verse lists four of the seven nations that inhabited the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered under Yehoshua's leadership. The complete list appears elsewhere in the Torah (e.g., Devarim 7:1), including the Chitti, Perizi, and Chivi. Rashi (on Bereishit 15:21) explains that these nations were particularly steeped in idolatry and immorality, making their removal necessary for the establishment of a holy nation in Eretz Yisrael.
Specific Characteristics of Each Nation
Spiritual Significance
The Kli Yakar (Shemot 3:8) teaches that these nations also represent negative spiritual traits that must be eradicated within oneself. For example:
Halachic Implications
The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 7:1) rules that the mitzvah to eradicate these nations was specific to that era and does not apply today. However, their mention serves as a perpetual reminder to distance ourselves from their corrupt practices, as the Sforno (on Devarim 20:18) emphasizes.