Genesis 10:19

What does Genesis 10:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 10:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 10:19 means

This verse describes the geographical borders of the Canaanite territory, extending from Sidon towards Gerar and Gaza in one direction, and towards Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Lasha in another. This clear delineation of their boundaries shows the significant extent of their settled areas. It geographically places the future nations Israel would encounter, emphasizing the literal land promised to Abraham. The mention of Sodom and Gomorrah foreshadows their future destruction due to wickedness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the border of the Canaanite was from Sidon, as thou goest toward Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, unto Lasha.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the border of the Canaanite was from Sidon, as thou goest toward Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, unto Lasha.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Their country stretching from Zidon to Gaza, in the direction of Gerar; and to Lasha, in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the border of the Canaanite is from Sidon, <FI>in<Fi> thy coming towards Gerar, unto Gaza; <FI>in<Fi> thy coming towards Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, unto Lasha.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the limits of Chanaan were from Sidon as one comes to Gerara even to Gaza, until thou enter Sodom and Gomorrha, and Adama, and Seboim even to Lesa.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the border of the Canaanite was from Sidon, as one goes to Gerar, up to Gazah; as one goes to Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, up to Lesha.

Context

Following the intricate lists of Canaan's descendants, this verse provides a crucial geographical boundary marker for their territory. This shifts from genealogy to geography, giving a tangible sense of the land these Hamitic tribes inhabited. This detail about the Canaanite borders directly sets the stage for subsequent biblical narratives concerning the promised land and its inhabitants, including the fate of cities like Sodom.

v.18and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanite spread abroad.

v.19This passage

v.20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, in their nations.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 34:2

    Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders thereof),

  • Judges 16:1

    And Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her.

  • Genesis 19:24

    Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven;

  • Genesis 15:18

    In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Joshua 14:1

    And these are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed unto them,

  • Hosea 11:8

    How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

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