Genesis 10:31

31 These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

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 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these [were] the sons of Joktan.

30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest to 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.