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Genesis 9:19

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These [are] the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

These are the three {H7969} sons {H1121} of Noah {H5146}: and of them was the whole earth {H776} overspread {H5310}.

These three were the sons of Noach, and the whole earth was populated by them.

These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.

These three were the sons of Noah: and of these was the whole earth overspread.

Commentary

Genesis 9:19 identifies the lineage from which all post-flood humanity descended, stating that the entire earth was repopulated through the families of Noah's three sons.

Context

This verse appears immediately after the account of God establishing His covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never again to destroy all life with a flood (see Genesis 9:11). Having survived the global deluge in the ark, Noah and his family are now tasked with the mission of filling the earth again. The verse serves as a crucial transition point, setting the stage for the dispersal and diversification of humanity detailed in the subsequent chapters.

Key Themes

  • Repopulation of the Earth: The primary message is that Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—were the sole ancestors of the human race after the flood, from whom the earth was "overspread" or repopulated.
  • Fulfillment of Divine Mandate: This verse highlights the beginning of the fulfillment of God's command to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, first given to Adam and Eve and reiterated to Noah (see Genesis 9:1).
  • Ancestry of Nations: The verse points forward to the subsequent chapters (particularly Genesis 10, the Table of Nations), which trace the lineage of different peoples and nations back to these three sons, demonstrating the shared origin of all humanity. From these three families, the various nations and peoples of the world descended.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "overspread" is naphatz (נָפַץ), which carries the sense of being scattered, dispersed, or spread abroad. This isn't just about filling empty space but implies a process of spreading out and populating different regions, foreshadowing the later dispersion described in Genesis 10 and 11.

Reflection

Genesis 9:19 underscores the biblical view of a common ancestry for all people groups, tracing everyone back to Noah's family. It reminds us of God's faithfulness in preserving humanity through the flood and His plan for the world to be populated. It also sets the stage for understanding the diversity of languages and nations as they developed from this single source family.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 5:32 (2 votes)

    And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

  • Genesis 8:17 (2 votes)

    Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

  • 1 Chronicles 1:4 (2 votes)

    Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

  • 1 Chronicles 1:28 (2 votes)

    ¶ The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.

  • Genesis 10:2 (2 votes)

    The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

  • Genesis 10:32 (2 votes)

    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.