Genesis 10:5

5 (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.)

Genesis 10:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 From these the coastland peoples spread in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Their descendants became the seafaring peoples that spread out to various lands, each identified by its own language, clan, and national identity.
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 The seafaring peoples developed from these, each in its own place by family, each with its own language.
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 From these descendants the people of the coastlands spread into their own countries. Each nation had its own language and families.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 The coastland peoples spread out into their lands. These are [Japheth's sons] by their clans, in their nations. Each [group] had its own language.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 The people who lived by the sea came from all of them. Their tribes and nations spread out into their own territories. Each tribe and nation had its own language.

Genesis 10:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 10:5

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their
lands
That is, by those sons of Japheth before mentioned; and by "isles" are meant, not countries surrounded with water, for the isles in this sense would not have been sufficient for the posterity of Japheth; nor can it be thought they would leave the continent, where there was room enough for them, and go into islands; and besides must have found it difficult to get there, when shipping and navigation were little known: but it is usual with the Hebrews, of whom Moses, the writer of this history, was, to call all places beyond the Mediterranean sea, or whatsoever they went to by sea, or that were upon the sea coasts, islands, as Greece, Italy Moreover, the word sometimes signifies countries, as it does in ( Job 22:30 ) ( Isaiah 20:6 ) and so should be rendered here, as it is by some F25, "the countries of the Gentiles"; so called, because in the times of Moses, and at the writing of this history, those countries were inhabited by Heathens and idolaters, strangers to the true religion: and this division was not made at random, and at the pleasure of a rude company of men, but in an orderly regular manner, with the consent, and by the advice and direction of the principal men of those times; and especially it was directed by the wise providence of the most High, who divided to the nations their inheritance, and set the bounds of the people, ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ) .

everyone after his tongue, after their families, in their nations;
this shows, that what is said concerning the division of countries to the sons of Japheth is by way of anticipation; and that, though thus related, was not done till after the confusion of languages, since the partition was made according to the different languages of men; those that were of the same language went and dwelt together, the several nations of them, and the several families in those nations; by which it appears that this was done by consultation, with great care and wisdom, ranging the people according to their tongues; of which nations were formed, and with them were taken the several families they consisted of.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mywgh yya) "regiones gentium", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Patrick.

Genesis 10:5 In-Context

3 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah.
4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites.
5 (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.)
6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.
7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

Cross References 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.