Genesis 10:31

31 These are the descendants of Shem by family, language, country, and nation.

Genesis 10:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 10:31

These are the sons of Shem
His sons, and grandsons, and great grandsons, in all twenty six, no doubt but there were many more, but these are only mentioned; for none of the sons of Elam, Ashur, and Lud, are named, and but one of Arphaxad's, and one of Salah's, and two of Eber's, and none of Peleg's; when it is not to be questioned but they had many, as is certain of Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, and Peleg, ( Genesis 11:13-15 Genesis 11:17 Genesis 11:19 )

after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after
their nations:
from hence sprung various families at first, and these of different languages upon the confusion of Babel, which thenceforward formed different nations, dwelt in different lands; which have been pointed at as near as we can at this distance, and with the little helps and advantages we have: it seems from hence that Shem's posterity were of different languages as well as those of Ham and Japheth.

Genesis 10:31 In-Context

29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab - all sons of Joktan.
30 Their land goes from Mesha toward Sephar as far as the mountain ranges in the east.
31 These are the descendants of Shem by family, language, country, and nation.
32 This is the family tree of the sons of Noah as they developed into nations. From them nations developed all across the Earth after the flood.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.