1 Now these [are] the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same [is] a great city.
13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
20 These [are] the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, [and] in their nations.
21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were [children] born.
22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
23 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
24 And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one [was] Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name [was] Joktan.
26 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
28 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these [were] the sons of Joktan.
30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
31 These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
32 These [are] the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 10
Genesis Chapter 10 is often referred to as the “Table of Nations.” This chapter provides a genealogical account of the descendants of Noah’s three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It serves to illustrate the spread of nations and peoples after the Flood, establishing a framework for understanding the origins of various ethnic groups and their geographical distributions.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into distinct sections based on the descendants of Noah’s sons:
- Descendants of Japheth (verses 1-5)
- Descendants of Ham (verses 6-20)
- Descendants of Shem (verses 21-31)
- Summary of Nations (verse 32)
Descendants of Japheth (Verses 1-5)
Japheth’s lineage is noted for producing several nations, primarily located in the regions of Europe and parts of Asia. The descendants include:
- Gomer – believed to be associated with the Cimmerians or the Celts.
- Madai – linked to the Medes, an ancient Iranian people.
- Javan – associated with the Greeks.
- Tubal – thought to represent the peoples of the Caucasus.
- Meshech – possibly linked to the Moschi, a people from the region of modern-day Turkey.
- Tiras – often associated with the Thracians.
These descendants are described as the progenitors of various maritime nations, indicating their seafaring capabilities and the spread of their influence across the Mediterranean and beyond.
Descendants of Ham (Verses 6-20)
The lineage of Ham is particularly significant as it includes some of the most notable nations in Africa and parts of the Near East. The descendants include:
- Cush – often identified with the region of Nubia and later Ethiopia.
- Mizraim – associated with Egypt.
- Put – typically linked to regions in North Africa, possibly Libya.
- Canaan – the ancestor of the Canaanites, who inhabited the land of Canaan.
Ham’s descendants are noted for their diverse cultures and contributions to civilization, as well as their interactions with the Israelites. The chapter also highlights the cities founded by Nimrod, a notable figure among Ham’s descendants, who is described as a mighty hunter and the founder of several key cities, including Babel, Erech, and Nineveh.
Descendants of Shem (Verses 21-31)
Shem’s lineage is vital in biblical history, as it includes the Semitic peoples and ultimately leads to Abraham. The descendants include:
- Elam – associated with the Elamites, an ancient civilization in modern-day Iran.
- Asshur – linked to the Assyrians.
- Arphaxad – considered the ancestor of the Hebrews, leading to Abraham.
- Lud – possibly associated with the Lydians.
- Aram – linked to the Arameans, who played a significant role in the history of the region.
This section emphasizes the importance of Shem’s descendants in the unfolding narrative of the Hebrew Bible, as they are directly connected to the covenantal promises made to Abraham and his descendants.
Summary of Nations (Verse 32)
The chapter concludes with a summary statement that encapsulates the dispersion of the nations. It emphasizes that these are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, and that they spread out over the earth after the Flood. This serves to reinforce the idea of a shared ancestry among the nations, while also highlighting the diversity that emerged from Noah’s lineage.
Theological Implications
Genesis Chapter 10 carries significant theological implications, including:
- Unity and Diversity: It illustrates the unity of humanity in its origins while acknowledging the diversity of cultures and nations that emerged.
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter reflects God’s sovereignty in the establishment of nations and the unfolding of human history.
- Preparation for Israel’s Story: By outlining the genealogies, the chapter sets the stage for the narrative of Israel, emphasizing the importance of lineage and covenant.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 10 serves as a foundational text for understanding the origins of various nations and peoples in the biblical narrative. It highlights the genealogical connections between them, establishing a framework for the unfolding story of God’s relationship with humanity, particularly through the lineage of Shem and the eventual emergence of the Israelite nation.
