בראשית, פרק י׳, פסוק ט״ז

The lineage of Canaan transitions from naming individual sons to tracing the emergence of entire families and nations that settled across the region. Rather than listing private individuals, the phrasing indicates collective groups and branching communities that developed from a common ancestor [רד״ק, קאסוטו, העמק דבר].

Among these emerging nations are the Jebusites, the inhabitants and rulers of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas [שד״ל, ביאור יש״ר, קאסוטו]. However, there is a perspective that they may not have been of Canaanite descent at all, but rather originated from other groups such as the Hurrians or Hittites [קאסוטו]. Another prominent nation, the Amorites, settled in the mountainous regions on both sides of the Jordan River [קאסוטו], particularly in the southeast near the Dead Sea [ביאור יש״ר]. They were considered the largest, strongest, and most aggressive of the affiliated nations, with some identifying them as giants. Due to their immense power and dominance, the name "Amorite" is sometimes used elsewhere as a broad term for all the nations of Canaan [ביאור יש״ר], even though in this specific context they are listed as a distinct and separate group [קאסוטו].

The Girgashites are understood by some to have originally lived in Asia Minor near the Hittites before migrating to Canaan [קאסוטו]. An established tradition notes that when the Israelites entered the land, the Girgashites voluntarily chose to leave and relocated to Africa [ביאור יש״ר, אם למקרא]. This tradition is supported by ancient historical findings, including an old Sidonian inscription in North Africa mentioning refugees who fled from Joshua son of Nun, as well as accounts of villagers in that region who identified themselves as Canaanites for many generations. Furthermore, the name "Girgash" has been found carved into ancient inscriptions in Carthage [אם למקרא, קאסוטו].

Notably missing from this list is the Perizzite nation, known from other accounts as one of the ten nations promised to Abraham. They might simply be included under one of the other listed names, as it is common for a person or family to be known by multiple names, or for several families to be grouped together under the broader name of their ancestor, Canaan [רד״ק].