King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Complete Jewish Bible:
These were the descendants of Shem, according to their families and languages, in their lands and in their nations.
Berean Standard Bible:
These are the sons of Shem, according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
American Standard Version:
These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
These are the sons{H1121} of Shem{H8035}, after their families{H4940}, after their tongues{H3956}, in their lands{H776}, after their nations{H1471}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 10:20
- These [are] the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, [and] in their nations.
Genesis 10:5
- By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Acts 17:26
- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 10:31
Genesis 10:31 is part of the "Table of Nations" in the Bible, which outlines the descendants of Noah's sons after the Great Flood. The verse specifically mentions the sons of Shem, one of Noah's three sons, and sets the stage for the dispersal of peoples across the Earth following the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel.
**Themes:**
1. **Post-Diluvian World:** The verse reflects the repopulation and organization of the world after the Flood, emphasizing the genealogical and geographical spread of humanity.
2. **Ethnolinguistic Differentiation:** It highlights the emergence of different languages, families, and nations, which is a significant theme in understanding human diversity and the biblical explanation for the various peoples of the Earth.
3. **Divine Plan:** The listing of nations descending from Shem underscores God's plan for humanity's dispersion and the establishment of distinct peoples, which ultimately leads to the call of Abraham and the beginning of God's covenant with Israel.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events described in Genesis 10 likely reflect traditions from the ancient Near East concerning the origins of nations and are set in the post-diluvian era, which would be several centuries before the time of Abraham (around 2000-1800 BCE by most scholarly estimates).
- **Authorship and Composition:** Genesis is part of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, but modern biblical scholarship often dates its composition to a much later period, between the 10th and 5th centuries BCE, with various sources and traditions being woven together.
- **Cultural Background:** The Table of Nations reflects knowledge of various peoples known to the ancient Hebrews and reflects a worldview where ethnic identity is tied to common ancestry and language.
In summary, Genesis 10:31 is a snapshot of the biblical understanding of the early spread of humanity across the globe, emphasizing the divine order in the diversification of languages, clans, and nations, with Shem's lineage being particularly important for the subsequent narrative of the Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H8035
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: Shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: the same as שֵׁם; name; Shem, a son of Noah (often includ. his posterity); Sem, Shem. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - Strong's Number: H3956
There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָשׁוֹן
Transliteration: lâshôwn
Pronunciation: law-shone'
Description: or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from לָשַׁן; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water); [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people.