Descendants of the fourth son of Chanaan, son of Cham (Genesis 10), an ancient and warlike people of doubtful origin, inhabitants of the land of Chanaan before the advent of Israel. They first appear in the Bible as inhabitants of South Palestine (Genesis 14), where a war with the Israelites (Joshua 10) secured to the latter the tenure of Palestine. While the origin of this race is disputed, its language, religion, and institutions are Semitic.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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