Genesis 15:19

19. Kenites… Kenizzites… Kadmonites Ten nations are now mentioned as occupying this vast territory, seven of whom (those mentioned Genesis 15:20-21) have been previously noticed . The number ten, occurring in such a prophecy as this, may well be understood to have some symbolistic significance . It seems to be the symbolic number of completed development in godless worldly empire and rule, as the toes of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, (Daniel 2:42,) and the ten horns of the fourth beast . Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:20; Daniel 7:24. Comp . Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 17:12. These ten heathen nations rise in prophetic vision before Abram, as representing all that long line of opposing world-forces which shall make war upon the godly seed, but in the end of the ages be overcome, so that “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7:27. “ The Kenites inhabited rocky and mountainous tracts in the south and south-west of Palestine, near the territory of the Amalekites . Numbers 24:21. They may have spread, in a western direction, to the land of Egypt; so that by their expulsion the frontiers of the promised land would have nearly touched the valley of the Nile . ” Kalisch . Moses’s father-in-law was of this tribe, and some of his descendants journeyed with the children of Israel, (Judges 1:16, see note,) and settled in the north of Palestine . Judges 4:11; Judges 5:24. In Saul’s time a friendly feeling was still shown toward them on account of ancient kindness, 1 Samuel 15:6; comp . 1 Samuel 27:11; 1 Samuel 30:29. Of the Kenizzites we have no other mention, and they were probably destroyed at an early date . The name of the Kadmonites would seem to designate them as eastern, and it is plausibly conjectured that they occupied the eastern part of the territory here given to Abram’s seed . No other mention of their name occurs .