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Battle of the Hebrews against the Canaanites and the Chastisement of KorahJean Fouquet · c. 1470

Kenizzites

/KEN-ih-zites/

Summary

An ancient Canaanite tribe whose land was promised to Abraham's descendants, distinct from the later Kenezzites associated with Caleb and Othniel.

Identity and Promise

The Kenizzites were one of the ten nations whose land God promised to give to Abraham's descendants in the covenant of Genesis 15. They are mentioned alongside other ancient peoples such as the Kenites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Rephaim. This tribe appears to have predated and should be distinguished from the Kenezzites, descendants of Kenaz the grandson of Esau, who lived after this promise was made. By the time of Joshua's conquest, the Kenizzites had apparently merged into other Canaanite populations and lost their distinctive identity. Some scholars suggest they inhabited the mountainous region south of Judea, though their exact territory remains uncertain.

Key verses:Genesis 15:19

Related Verses1 mention

Genesis· 1 verse

References

  1. 1.George Morrish, "Kenizzites," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  2. 2.American Tract Society, "Kenizzites," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
  3. 3.John Kitto, "Kenizzites," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  4. 4.Richard Watson, "Kenizzites," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).