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The Kebra Nagast 12

2 min 6 verses Translated by E. A. Wallis Budge, 1922, public domain. Chapters follow Budge's numbering (1-117); verse numbers are this archive's own divisions.

Concerning Canaan

Canaan seized seven mighty cities from the land of Shem and set his seven mighty sons over them as rulers. Themes: Rejection of Idolatry, Lineage and Genealogy

N1🔗ow, it was Canaan who rent the kingdom from the children of Shem, and he transgressed the oath which his father Noah had made them to swear. And the sons of Canaan were seven mighty men, and he took seven mighty cities from the land of Shem, and set his sons over them; and likewise he also made his own portion double.

2🔗 And in later days God took vengeance upon the sons of Canaan, and made the sons of Shem to inherit their country. These are the nations whom they inherited: the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Jebusites, and the Girgasites; these are they whom Canaan seized by force from the seed of Shem.

3🔗 For it was not right for him to invade [his] kingdom, and to falsify the oath, and because of this they ceased to be, and their memorial perished, through transgressing [God's] command, and worshipping idols, and bowing down to those who were not gods.

4🔗 And after the death of Shem Arphaxad reigned, and after the death of Arphaxad Kaynan (Cainan) reigned, and after the death of Kaynan Sala (Salah) reigned, and after him Eber reigned, and after him Palek (Peleg) reigned, and after him Ragaw (Reu) reigned, and after him Seroh (Serug) reigned, and after him Nakhor (Nahor) reigned, and after him Tara (Terah) reigned.

5🔗 And these are they who made magical images, and they went to the tombs of their fathers and made an image (or, picture) of gold, and silver, and brass, and a devil used to hold converse with them out of each of the images of their fathers, and say unto them, " O my son So-and-so, offer up unto me as a sacrifice the son whom thou lovest."

6🔗 And they slaughtered their sons and their daughters to the devils, and they poured out innocent blood to filthy devils.

Did You Know?

1

Canaan seized seven mighty cities from the land of Shem and set his seven mighty sons over them as rulers.

2

Canaan doubled his own portion of land after tearing the kingdom from Shem's children against Noah's oath.

3

The sons of Shem later inherited the Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Hittites, Amorites, Jebusites, and Girgasites.

4

After Shem died, Arphaxad, Kaynan, Sala, Eber, Palek, Ragaw, Seroh, Nakhor, and Tara reigned in succession.

5

They made gold, silver, and brass images of their fathers from which a devil demanded the sacrifice of beloved sons.

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