“The Kenites, the Kenizites, and the Kadmonites” (Genesis 15:19). “The Ḥitites, the Perizites, and the Refa’im” (Genesis 15:20). “The Emorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Yevusites” (Genesis 15:21). Rabbi Dostai said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Because it does not mention the Ḥivites here,102The Hivites are usually mentioned as one of the nations dwelling in Canaan (see Genesis 10:17, 34:2). that is why it cites the Refa’im in their place.103The Hivites and the Refa’im are one and the same.
Rabbi Ḥelbo in the name of Rabbi Abba in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: It entered the mind of the Holy One blessed be He to bequeath to Israel the land of ten peoples, [including] “the Kenites, the Kenizites, and the Kadmonites,” but He gave them only seven. “The Ḥitites, the Perizites, and the Refa’im, the Emorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Yevusites” – there you have seven. Why did He give them [just] seven?104The answer to this question is in the following paragraph.
Which are the three that were not given to them?105What is the identity of the three nations mentioned here, the Kenites, the Kenizites, and the Kadmonites? Rabbi says: Arabia, the Shalmaite, and the Nabatean. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: Damascus, Asia Minor, and Apamea. Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov said: Asia Minor, Thrace, and Carthage.
The Rabbis say: “Edom, Moav, and the foremost of the children of Ammon” (Daniel 11:41). These are the three that were not given them in this world. Edom, as it is stated: “For I will not give you even the tread of a foot from their land, because I have given Mount Se’ir as an inheritance to Esau” (Deuteronomy 2:5). Regarding Moav, it is written: “Do not besiege Moav, and do not provoke war with them, [as I will not give you from his land]” (Deuteronomy 2:9).106And there is a similar verse regarding Ammon (Deuteronomy 2:19).
The Kenizite is from Esau. The Kenite and Kadmonite are from Ammon and Moav. But in the messianic era they will revert to the people of Israel, in fulfillment of the statement of the Holy One blessed be He.107Who promised all ten nations to Abraham. But for now, He gave them seven, as it is stated: “Seven nations greater and mightier than you” (Deuteronomy 7:1).
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: A pig grazes with ten [offspring], and a sheep with not even one.108This is a folk saying. The idea is that pigs, which are impure animals, are plentiful, but sheep, which are pure, are more scarce. All these, the Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham that He would give him, the Kenite, the Kenizite…,109And they were already established nations at that time. but as of yet: “Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not borne him any children” (Genesis 16:1).