Lexical Definition
Χαναάν Chanaán (khan-ah-an') Canaan N:N--L
of Hebrew origin (כְּנַעַן)
Chanaan.
- Chanaan (i.e. Kenaan), the early name of Palestine
Abbott-Smith
Χαναάν, ἡ indecl. (Heb. כְּנַעַן),
Canaan: Ac 7:11; γῆ Χ., Ac 13:19.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Acts | 7:11 · 13:19 |
Profile
Canaan • Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants
Canaan was the ancient region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, named after Noah's grandson and later promised to Abraham's descendants.
- A location first mentioned at Gen.10.18;
- referred to as Canaan or Canaanite כְּנַעַן, or Canaanite כְּנַעַנִי, or "trading" (KJV= Canaan, NIV= "merchants") כְּנַעַן, or Canaan (KJV= Chanaan) or Canaan (KJV= Chanaan) Χαναάν, or Canaanite Χανααναῖος.
Canaan refers to both a region and a people group in the Bible. As a region, Canaan was the ancient name for the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Syria and Jordan. It was the land God promised to give to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:5-7; 17:8).
The Canaanites were the descendants of Canaan, the grandson of Noah through Ham (Genesis 10:18-19). They were known for their idolatry and wickedness, which led to God commanding the Israelites to drive them out of the land (Deuteronomy 20:17). The term "Canaanite" was also used to refer to merchants or traders (Job 41:6; Proverbs 31:24), possibly due to their reputation for trading.
After the Exodus, the Israelites conquered parts of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, but they failed to completely drive out the Canaanites (Judges 1:27-36). This led to ongoing conflicts and religious influences throughout Israel's history. The prophets often rebuked Israel for adopting Canaanite practices and worshipping their gods (Ezekiel 16:3).
All entries for Canaan or "traders": כְּנַעַן ☩ כְּנַעַנִי ☩ Χαναάν ☩ Χανααναῖος ☩ כְּנַעַן