ChristianAnswers.Net WebBible Encyclopedia
Meaning: villagers; dwellers in the open country
the Canaanitish nation inhabiting the fertile regions south and southwest of Carmel
“They were the graziers, farmers, and peasants of the time.” They were to be driven out of the land by the descendants of Abraham (Gen. 15:20; Ex. 3:8, 17; 23:23; 33:2; 34:11). They are afterwards named among the conquered tribes (Josh. 24:11). Still lingering in the land, however, they were reduced to servitude by Solomon (1 Kings 9:20).