Genesis 10:20-30

20 These were the descendants of Ham, identified by clan, language, territory, and national identity.

21 Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.

22 The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

23 The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

24 Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.

25 Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother’s name was Joktan.

26 Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba,

29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan.

30 The territory they occupied extended from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern mountains.

Genesis 10:20-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 10

This chapter gives an account of the posterity of the three sons of Noah, by whom the world was peopled after the flood, Ge 10:1 of the posterity of Japheth, Ge 10:2-5 of the posterity of Ham, Ge 10:6-20 and of the posterity of Shem, Ge 10:21-32.

Footnotes

• [a] Or Shem, whose older brother was Japheth.
• [b] Greek version reads Arphaxad was the father of Cainan, Cainan was the father of Shelah. Compare Luke 3:36 .