Genesis 10:16

Posted on January 10, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Gn 10:16 et Iebusæum, et Amorrhæum, Gergesæum,

And the Jebusite, and the Amorrite, and the Gergesite.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 et and CONJ
2 Iebusæum Jebusite ACC.SG.M
3 et and CONJ
4 Amorrhæum Amorrite ACC.SG.M
5 Gergesæum Gergesite ACC.SG.M

Syntax

This phrase continues the genealogical enumeration begun in the previous verse.
The conjunction et links a coordinated series of direct objects of the implied verb genuit (“begot”) from the prior clause. Each ethnic name (Iebusæum, Amorrhæum, Gergesæum) represents a people descended from Chanaan.
Word Order: Simple additive coordination by repetition of et, following the formulaic genealogical pattern of Genesis 10.

Morphology

  1. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Connects coordinated elements in the list; Translation: “and”; Notes: Maintains parallel genealogical rhythm.
  2. Iebusæum — Lemma: Iebusæus; Part of Speech: Proper noun (ethnic designation); Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Direct object (implied genuit); Translation: “Jebusite”; Notes: Refers to descendants of Jebus, inhabitants of Jerusalem prior to Israelite conquest.
  3. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Links next member of the list; Translation: “and”; Notes: Maintains coordination within genealogical structure.
  4. Amorrhæum — Lemma: Amorrhæus; Part of Speech: Proper noun (ethnic designation); Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Direct object (implied genuit); Translation: “Amorrite”; Notes: Represents one of the principal Canaanite tribes inhabiting the hill country west of the Jordan.
  5. Gergesæum — Lemma: Gergesæus; Part of Speech: Proper noun (ethnic designation); Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Direct object (implied genuit); Translation: “Gergesite”; Notes: Another Canaanite people mentioned in several biblical tribal lists, likely dwelling near the Jordan valley.

About Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Born around 346 A.D. in Stridon, St. Jerome was a scholar fluent in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew whose ascetic discipline and deep engagement with Scripture prepared him for a monumental task: translating the Bible into Latin. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I around 382 A.D., Jerome began by revising the flawed Old Latin Gospels, then expanded his work to the entire Bible. For the New Testament, he corrected Latin texts using Greek manuscripts; for the Old Testament, he translated most books directly from Hebrew—a controversial but principled choice. His final Psalter, however, followed the Greek Septuagint tradition for liturgical use. This composite translation, later known as the Vulgate (editio vulgata), became the authoritative biblical text of the Western Church, formally endorsed at the Council of Trent in 1546. The Vulgate’s influence extends beyond theology into textual criticism and Latin education. As one of the earliest translations grounded in original-language scholarship, it offers a vital witness to the state of biblical texts in late antiquity. Jerome’s lexical and syntactic decisions are studied to trace manuscript history and assess variant readings. Its elegant Latin, consistent in grammar and rich in vocabulary, became a model for medieval and Renaissance learning, bridging classical and ecclesiastical Latin. More than a translation, the Vulgate helped define Christian doctrine, preserved the Latin language, and laid essential groundwork for the critical study of Scripture—remaining indispensable to students of Latin, theology, and textual history.
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