(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ These [are] the generations of Shem: Shem [was] an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
Here is the genealogy of Shem. Shem was 100 years old when he fathered Arpakhshad two years after the flood.
This is the account of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad.
These are the generations of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and begat Arpachshad two years after the flood:
These are the generations{H8435} of Shem{H8035}: Shem{H8035} was an hundred{H3967} years{H8141} old{H1121}, and begat{H3205} Arphaxad{H775} two years{H8141} after{H310} the flood{H3999}:
Genesis 11:10 is part of the Table of Nations section in the Book of Genesis, which outlines the descendants of Noah's sons after the Great Flood. The verse specifically introduces the lineage of Shem, one of Noah's three sons, and provides a chronological note that Shem was 100 years old when he fathered Arphaxad, two years after the flood. This verse is significant as it begins the genealogy that leads to Abraham, a pivotal figure in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early post-diluvian era, a time when humanity was repopulating the earth after the catastrophic flood described in Genesis 6-9. This period is characterized by the dispersion of peoples and the establishment of new nations, as reflected in the subsequent verses detailing the descendants of Shem's line.
Themes present in this verse and its broader context include:
1. **Divine Providence**: The narrative underscores God's oversight in the re-establishment of human society after the flood, with the lineage of Shem eventually leading to the chosen people of Israel.
2. **Genealogy**: The importance of familial lineage and heritage is a central theme, as the genealogies serve to connect the post-flood world with the ancestors who were divinely chosen to carry forward God's covenant.
3. **Human Origins and Diversity**: The Table of Nations illustrates the biblical explanation for the diversity of languages and peoples, which is further explained in the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9).
4. **Covenant Continuity**: Shem's lineage is significant because it leads to Abraham, with whom God makes a covenant that establishes the Israelites as His chosen people, a theme that is central to the Hebrew Bible.
5. **Chronology**: The precise dating of Shem's age at the birth of Arphaxad reflects an interest in chronological order, which is a recurring feature in the Book of Genesis, serving to anchor the narrative in a historical framework.
This verse serves as a bridge between the story of the flood and the subsequent narratives focused on the patriarchs, setting the stage for the stories of Abraham and his descendants, which are foundational to the biblical narrative.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)