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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 10:21–32. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Two things especially are observable in this account of the posterity of Shem: -
I.The description of Shem, Gen 10:21.
We have not only his name, Shem, which signifies a name, but two titles to distinguish him by: -
1.He was the father of all the children of Eber. Eber was his great grandson; but why should he be called the father of all his children, rather than of all Arphaxad's, or Salah's, etc.? Probably because Abraham and his seed, God's covenant-people, not only descended from Heber, but from him were called Hebrews; Gen 14:13, Abram the Hebrew. Paul looked upon it as his privilege that he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, Phi 3:5. Eber himself, we may suppose, was a man eminent for religion in a time of general apostasy, and a great example of piety to his family; and, the holy tongue being commonly called from him the Hebrew, it is probable that he retained it in his family, in the confusion of Babel, as a special token of God's favour to him; and from him the professors of religion were called the children of Eber. Now, when the inspired penman would give Shem an honourable title, he calls him the father of the Hebrews. Though when Moses wrote this, they were a poor despised people, bond-slaves in Egypt, yet, being God's people, it was an honour to a man to be akin to them. As Ham, though he had many sons, is disowned by being called the father of Canaan, on whose seed the curse was entailed (Gen 9:22), so Shem, though he had many sons, is dignified with the title of the father of Eber, on whose seed the blessing was entailed. Note, a family of saints is more truly honourable than a family of nobles, Shem's holy seed than Ham's royal seed, Jacob's twelve patriarchs than Ishmael's twelve princes, Gen 17:20. Goodness is true greatness.
2.He was the brother of Japheth the elder, by which it appears that, though Shem is commonly put first, he was not Noah's first-born, but Japheth was older. But why should this also be put as part of Shem's title and description, that he was the brother of Japheth, since it had been, in effect, said often before? And was he not as much brother to Ham? Probably this was intended to signify the union of the Gentiles with the Jews in the church. The sacred historian had mentioned it as Shem's honour that he was the father of the Hebrews; but, lest Japheth's seed should therefore be looked upon as for ever shut out from the church, he here reminds us that he was the brother of Japheth, not in birth only, but in blessing; for Japheth was to dwell in the tents of Shem. Note,
(1.)Those are brethren in the best manner that are so by grace, and that meet in the covenant of God and in the communion of saints.
(2.)God, in dispensing his grace, does not go by seniority, but the younger sometimes gets the start of the elder in coming into the church; so the last shall be first and the first last.
II.The reason of the name of Peleg (Gen 10:25):
Because in his days (that is, about the time of his birth, when his name was given him), was the earth divided among the children of men that were to inhabit it; either when Noah divided it by an orderly distribution of it, as Joshua divided the land of Canaan by lot, or when, upon their refusal to comply with that division, God, in justice, divided them by the confusion of tongues: whichsoever of these was the occasion, pious Heber saw cause to perpetuate the remembrance of it in the name of his son; and justly may our sons be called by the same name, for in our days, in another sense, is the earth, the church, most wretchedly divided.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Shem, the third son of Noah, had five sons, who inhabited the land that began at Euphrates, and reached to the Indian Ocean. For Elam left behind him the Elamites, the ancestors of the Persians. Ashur lived at the city Nineve; and named his subjects Assyrians, who became the most fortunate nation, beyond others. Arphaxad named the Arphaxadites, who are now called Chaldeans. Aram had the Aramites, which the Greeks called Syrians; as Laud founded the Laudites, which are now called Lydians. Of the four sons of Aram, Uz founded Trachonitis and Damascus: this country lies between Palestine and Celesyria. Ul founded Armenia; and Gather the Bactrians; and Mesa the Mesaneans; it is now called Charax Spasini. Sala was the son of Arphaxad; and his son was Heber, from whom they originally called the Jews Hebrews. (18) Heber begat Joetan and Phaleg: he was called Phaleg, because he was born at the dispersion of the nations to their several countries; for Phaleg among the Hebrews signifies division. Now Joctan, one of the sons of Heber, had these sons, Elmodad, Saleph, Asermoth, Jera, Adoram, Aizel, Decla, Ebal, Abimael, Sabeus, Ophir, Euilat, and Jobab. These inhabited from Cophen, an Indian river, and in part of Asia adjoining to it. And this shall suffice concerning the sons of Shem.
(Verse 22.) The sons of Shem, Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. These hold the part of Asia from the Euphrates River to the Indian Ocean. Now Elam, from whom the Elamite princes of Persia descend. Concerning Asshur, it has already been said that he founded the city of Nineveh. Arphaxad, from whom the Chaldeans descend. Lud, from whom the Lydians descend. Aram, from whom the Syrians descend, with Damascus as their metropolis.
The sons of Shem: Elam, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. "These occupied part of Asia from the Euphrates river to the Indian Ocean. Now, Elam is from whom the Elamites, the chiefs of Persia, come. Of Assur, it has already been said before, that he founded the city of Nineveh. Arphaxad, from whom the Chaldeans come. Lud, from whom Lydia. Aram, from whom the Syrians, whose metropolis is Damascus. For in Hebrew, Syria is called Aram.
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Summary
Genesis 10:22, nestled within the comprehensive "Table of Nations," meticulously enumerates the five immediate sons of Shem—Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram—thereby establishing the foundational progenitors of several significant peoples and regions across the ancient Near East and beyond. This precise genealogical record is not merely a historical listing but a crucial component in tracing the divinely chosen lineage that would ultimately lead to Abraham and the Hebrew people, underscoring God's sovereign orchestration of human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
Context
Literary Context
Genesis 10, often referred to as the "Table of Nations," serves as a pivotal ethnographic and historical document, detailing the post-Flood dispersion and repopulation of the earth through the descendants of Noah's three sons: Japheth, Ham, and Shem. This chapter follows the account of the global flood and God's covenant with Noah in Genesis 9, which includes the command to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). Genesis 10:22 specifically focuses on the lineage of Shem, presented after the descendants of Japheth and Ham, highlighting Shem's unique significance in the unfolding biblical narrative. It acts as a bridge, laying the genealogical groundwork for the more detailed account of Abraham's family line in Genesis 11, which immediately follows this "Table of Nations."
Historical & Cultural Context
The "Table of Nations" reflects an ancient worldview of human origins and geographical distribution, rooted in the historical realities known to the biblical authors. The peoples listed in Genesis 10:22—the Elamites, Assyrians, Arameans, and possibly Lydians—were prominent civilizations and ethnic groups in the ancient Near East during various periods of biblical history. Elam was a powerful kingdom east of Mesopotamia; Assyria became a dominant empire that frequently interacted with Israel; Aram (Syria) was a neighboring region with significant cultural and linguistic influence; and Lud (Lydia) was a wealthy kingdom in Asia Minor. Understanding these connections provides crucial context for later biblical narratives, prophecies, and international relations described throughout the Old Testament, illustrating the historical grounding of the biblical account within the broader ancient world.
Key Themes
Genesis 10:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Order, as God orchestrates the dispersion and development of humanity according to His purposeful plan, even amidst human sin and rebellion. The meticulous listing also underscores the Unity of Humanity, tracing all peoples back to a common ancestry through Noah, reinforcing the shared origin of all human beings. Most critically, the verse highlights the theme of Redemptive Lineage. While all nations are listed, Shem's line is given particular prominence, especially through Arphaxad, because it is the divinely chosen conduit through which God's covenant promises would be fulfilled, ultimately leading to the "seed" who would bless all nations, as promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. This verse is a foundational piece for understanding the subsequent history of salvation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the root בָּנָה (banah), meaning "to build," this term signifies a son or descendant, emphasizing the role of offspring in building and continuing the family name or lineage. In this context, it denotes the direct male offspring of Shem, who in turn become the progenitors of distinct nations, highlighting the foundational nature of these individuals in the construction of human civilization post-Flood.
Meaning "name" or "renown," Shem is one of Noah's three sons and is presented as the ancestor of many Semitic peoples, including the Hebrews. His name's significance is often linked to the idea of a "good name" or "reputation," and his lineage is uniquely blessed by Noah in Genesis 9:26-27, setting him apart as the chosen line through which God's redemptive purposes would advance.
While the precise etymology is debated and likely foreign, Arphaxad is critically important not for the nation he founded (which is less prominent in later biblical history than Elam or Asshur), but because he is explicitly identified in Genesis 11:10-26 as the direct ancestor of Abraham. His inclusion here is therefore a subtle but profound pointer to the specific, divinely preserved lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come.
Verse Breakdown
"The children of Shem;"
This opening phrase clearly identifies the subject of this particular genealogical segment, establishing that the subsequent names are the direct male descendants of Shem, one of the three patriarchs of post-Flood humanity. It signifies a transition to detailing the specific branches of Shem's family tree.
"Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram."
This clause provides a precise enumeration of Shem's five immediate sons. Each name represents the progenitor of a distinct people group or nation that would play a significant role in the ancient Near East. The simple conjunction "and" links these individuals, emphasizing their direct fraternal relationship and their collective role in the repopulation and diversification of the earth. The order of names is significant, though not explicitly stated, as it lays the groundwork for understanding the geographical and historical landscape of the region.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Genesis 10:22, and indeed throughout the "Table of Nations," is Enumeration. This systematic listing of names and their relationships serves to establish a comprehensive genealogical record, providing a historical and geographical framework for the subsequent biblical narrative. The repetitive use of the conjunction "and" (a form of Polysyndeton) emphasizes the distinct yet connected nature of each son and the nations descended from them, creating a sense of thoroughness and deliberate progression. Furthermore, the very act of Selection and Inclusion of specific lineages, particularly Shem's, carries profound theological weight, subtly highlighting God's sovereign choice and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through a specific family line, culminating in the critical mention of Arphaxad.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 10:22, though a simple list of names, is pregnant with theological significance. It underscores God's meticulous attention to the details of human history and His sovereign hand in the formation and dispersion of nations. This verse, as part of the "Table of Nations," serves as a divine blueprint, demonstrating how humanity, stemming from a single family, diversified and spread across the globe, fulfilling the post-Flood command to fill the earth. The inclusion of Shem's lineage, with its specific emphasis on Arphaxad, subtly points to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, establishing the historical and genealogical foundation for the covenant with Abraham and the subsequent history of Israel. It reminds us that all human history, even the seemingly mundane details of genealogies, is purposefully orchestrated by God for the ultimate revelation of His glory and the salvation of humanity.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 10:22, while a seemingly dry list of names, invites us to marvel at the divine orchestration of history and the intricate tapestry of human origins. It reminds us that our diverse global family shares a common ancestry, fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness and a call to unity. For believers, this verse reinforces the truth that God is sovereign over all nations and that His redemptive plan has been unfolding meticulously through history, even through the seemingly ordinary details of family trees. It encourages us to see God's hand in the grand narrative of humanity, recognizing that every people group has a place in His creation and is ultimately called to His redemptive purposes. Understanding these ancient roots can deepen our appreciation for the global scope of God's mission and our shared humanity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are genealogies like Genesis 10:22 so important in the Bible?
Genealogies in the Bible serve several crucial purposes. They establish historical continuity, demonstrating that biblical events are rooted in actual history rather than myth. They validate claims to land, priestly lineages, and, most importantly, meticulously trace the specific line through which God's covenant promises would be fulfilled, culminating in the Messiah. They also highlight the unity of humanity, showing a common ancestry for all peoples, as seen in Genesis 10.
How does Genesis 10:22 relate to the rest of the Old Testament?
This verse lays the essential groundwork for understanding the geopolitical and ethnic landscape of the ancient Near East. The descendants of Shem (Elamites, Assyrians, Arameans, and especially the Hebrews) are central players in numerous Old Testament narratives, prophecies, and historical accounts. Knowing their origins helps contextualize the conflicts, alliances, and divine judgments described throughout the Bible, providing a crucial framework for interpreting events from the time of Abraham through the prophets.
What makes Shem's lineage particularly significant compared to Ham's or Japheth's?
While all three sons of Noah were instrumental in repopulating the earth, Shem's lineage is divinely chosen as the specific line through which God's redemptive plan would progress. The covenant with Abraham, the establishment of the nation of Israel, and ultimately the birth of the Messiah all occur within Shem's descendants. This highlights God's sovereign election and His specific pathway for bringing salvation to humanity, as foreshadowed in Noah's blessing upon Shem in Genesis 9:26.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Genesis 10:22 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment through the pivotal inclusion of Arphaxad among Shem's sons. This seemingly minor detail is, in fact, foundational, as Arphaxad is explicitly identified in Genesis 11:10 as the direct ancestor of Abraham. It is through Abraham that God promised to bless "all the families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3). This genealogical thread meticulously weaves its way from Noah through Shem and Arphaxad, eventually leading to David, and ultimately to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Thus, this verse, embedded within a historical record of nations, subtly yet powerfully points to the sovereign hand of God orchestrating human history—from the dispersion of peoples to the particular lineage—to bring forth the Savior. Jesus, the "seed" of Abraham and the Son of David, fulfills the ultimate purpose of creation and redemption, reconciling people from every tribe and nation to God, thereby demonstrating that the hope for all humanity, scattered across the globe, is found in the one who came from this divinely preserved line, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.