Perizzites
/PAIR-ih-zites/
Summary
The Perizzites were one of the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the land before Israel's conquest.
☩Pre-Conquest Inhabitants
The Perizzites are consistently listed among the peoples of Canaan whom Israel was to dispossess. They are first mentioned in Abraham's time, dwelling in the land alongside the Canaanites. The name may mean 'villagers' or 'those dwelling in unwalled towns,' suggesting they were a rural agricultural population rather than city-dwellers.
Key verses:Genesis 13:7Genesis 15:20Exodus 3:8Deuteronomy 7:1Joshua 3:10
☩Incomplete Conquest
Though God commanded their destruction, the Perizzites were not fully driven out. They continued to dwell among Israel and became a source of temptation to idolatry. Intermarriage with the Perizzites and other Canaanite peoples was a recurring sin that Israel was commanded to avoid.
Key verses:Judges 1:4-5Judges 3:5-6Ezra 9:1
Related Verses20 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Perizzite," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).