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Genesis 10

World English Bible

WEB

1Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. 2The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations. 6The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan. 8Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”. 10The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah. 13Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim. 15Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations. 21Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber. 22The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24Arpachshad became the father of Shelah. Shelah became the father of Eber. 25To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan. 26Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations. 32These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these on the earth after the flood.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Genesis Chapter 10 presents the Table of Nations, detailing the descendants of Noah's three sons: #Shem, #Ham, and #Japheth. This chapter serves as a crucial genealogical record that illustrates the spread of humanity after the Great Flood. Each son’s lineage is traced, highlighting the various nations and peoples that emerged from them. For instance, the descendants of #Japheth are noted for their expansion into the coasts and islands, while #Ham's descendants include notable nations such as Egypt and Canaan, which play significant roles in the biblical narrative. The chapter emphasizes God's command to Noah and his sons to 'be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth' (Genesis 9:1), showcasing the fulfillment of this divine directive through the proliferation of nations.

The chapter also highlights the diversity of languages and cultures that arose from these families, setting the stage for the events that follow in the biblical story. The mention of Nimrod, a mighty hunter and a key figure from the line of Ham, introduces the concept of organized kingdoms and the beginnings of human civilization. His establishment of cities like Babel foreshadows the future events of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, where humanity's pride leads to divine intervention. Overall, Genesis 10 not only provides a historical account of the nations but also underscores God's sovereignty in the unfolding of human history.

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Referenced by

  1. 1 Chronicles 1:10v81 Chronicles 1:10 mentions Nimrod as a mighty warrior, echoing Genesis 10:8-10, which describes Nimrod as a mighty hunter before the Lord.
  2. 1 Chronicles 1:19v251 Chronicles 1:19 notes the division of the earth in the days of Peleg, which is also mentioned in Genesis 10:25, indicating a significant event in human history.
  3. Psalms 120:5v2Psalm 120:5 mentions Meshech, which is also listed among the descendants of Japheth in Genesis 10:2, indicating a distant and foreign land.
  4. Isaiah 23:13v10Isaiah 23:13 refers to the land of the Chaldeans, a people not originally significant but who became powerful. Genesis 10:10-11 mentions the founding of Babylon by Nimrod, illustrating the rise of powerful nations from humble beginnings.

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