1. Genesis Genesis Chapter 10
The names of Noah’s descendants listed in the “Table of Nations” are designed to reflect the totality of humanity and to give at least a partial sense of their geopolitical divisions and affiliations. A total of seventy peoples are listed, a number found elsewhere in the text for the number of Jacob’s family to enter Egypt (Genesis 46:27) and as the representatives of the nation (seventy elders, Exodus 24:9; Ezekiel 8:11).

2. Since Noach’s 3 sons have populated the entire present world, it is only fitting that we would know something of those who followed them. Interestingly, though academics tend to scoff at the bible, they grudgingly admit that the 10th chapter of Genesis is the most accurate and complete document of its kind pertaining to the origination of the nations and races.

3. Firstborn Blessing Same pattern exhibited in Noah’s blessing and in
Jacob’s blessing
Like the reading of a will
Takes place before death
of the father
Tradition: 1st male son
born is the “Firstborn”
Firstborn Blessing
consists of two parts:
1. Right to Authority
2. Right to Wealth
Double-portion =
Firstborn gets double
wealth of his siblings
Firstborn
Blessing

4. Of Noah’s 3 sons, 2 got blessings, 1 got a curse
Firstborn blessings transfers leadership and wealth of
family to the next generation
By tradition, Firstborn son gets both the authority and
the wealth
But… in Noah’s blessing, the blessing was split: Shem
got authority and Japeth got wealth (fruitfulness)
Exact same thing occurred with Jacob (Israel) blessing
upon his sons
Judah got authority Joseph got wealth
Ham’s son Canaan is the founder of “The Land of
Canaan

5. Table of Nations
From wording in the last two verses of this chapter, this chapter is usually referred to as the Table of Nations.
31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. 32These 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.
The names of Noah’s descendants listed in the “Table of Nations” are designed to reflect the totality of humanity and to give at least a partial sense of their geographical and geopolitical divisions and affiliations.
It would not be inaccurate to say that, generally speaking, Shem populated Asia, Ham
populated Africa, and Yefet (Japheth) populated Europe. Of course, there are exceptions.

7. Chapter 10 will be a continuation of the generations listed in Gen 5

8. In chapter 10 seventy nations are listed
(14) Fourteen of them are from Japheth.
(30) Thirty of them come from Ham.
(26) Twenty-six nations come from Shem,

9. Noah’s Family Noah Shem (26) Ham (30) Japheth (14)
Elam Asshur Arphaxad Lud Aram
Cush Mizraim Put Canaan
Noah probably had many more sons. These are the only ones listed.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth probably had many more sons. These are the only ones listed.
The reason is probably their importance and it is through them that the biblical account carries on.
Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Meschech Tiras

10. Genesis 10:1
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

12. All humans alive today are connected to 1 or all 3 of Noah’s sons
Shem means name
(EDLS) Gen 1:21; Second letter, 11th word, - four.
(EDLS) Gen 1:8; Third letter, first word, - 48.
Ham means hot, warm, burning heat
Japheth means enlargement, beauty
(EDLS) Gen 1:21; Third letter, ninth word, - four.
Shem can also mean glory, not used as glory very often in the scripture.

13. Genesis 10:2
The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

14. Moses does not always give the name of the first settler in a country, but rather that of the people from whom the country afterwards derived its name. Thus Mizraim is the dual of Mezer, and could never be the name of an individual. The like may be said of Kittim, Dodanim, Ludim, Ananim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, Philistim, and Caphtorim, which are all plurals, and evidently not the names of individuals, but of families or tribes. The “im” ending is plural in Hebrew.
Moses also, in this genealogy, seems to have introduced even the name of some places that were remarkable in the sacred history, instead of the original settlers. Such as Hazarmaveth, Genesis 10:26; and probably Ophir and Havilah, Genesis 10:29.

15. Magog
Meschech

16. Sons of Japheth Gomer: means end or finished
Cimmerians settled along the Danube and Rhine.
They were the ancient Galatians, (aka Gomerites).
Descendants formed the principal branch of the population of South-eastern Europe. He is generally regarded as the ancestor of the Celtae and the Cimmerii, who in early times settled to the north of the Black Sea, and gave their name to the Crimea, the ancient Chersonesus Taurica.
The whole Celtic race may be regarded as descended from Gomer.
The progenitor of the ancient Galatians and Phrygians, Josephus, who says that the Galatians were anciently named Gomerites, from which came the natives of northern Europe known as the Gauls and Celts, and in later times as the Germans, French, Welsh, Irish, Britons and various other Anglo-Saxon races.

17. Sons of Japheth
Magog: Perhaps the name “represents the Assyrian Mat Gugi, or ‘country of Gugu,’ the Gyges of the Greeks”
They are described as skilled horsemen, and expert in the use of the bow.
The progenitor of the Scythians and Tartars whose descendants are predominant in modern Russia (Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:6; Rev. 20:8).
“Scythians” (Critical to understanding Ezek 38 & 39).
The progenitor of the Scythians and Tartars whose descendants are predominant in modern Russia (Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:6; Rev. 20:8). “Scythians” (Critical to understanding Ezek 38 & 39). Magog was also a general name of the country north of the Caucasus mountains which are between the Black and Caspian seas.
We know a lot of these people from the historian Hesiod, Greed didactic poet 8th Century BC
And from Herodotus, “The Father of History”, 5th century BC
Lived about Ezekiel’s time

18. Sons of Japheth Madai: means “middle land”
Progenitor of the ancient Medes, Persians, and perhaps the Hindus. Represented the Medes east of Assyria and southwest of the Caspian Sea.
Medes are the Kurds
Emerged in history about the 10th century B.C.;
coalition with Persia (Elam), 7th century B.C.
Represented the Medes east of Assyria and southwest of the Caspian Sea.
Medes (Kurds) have always been considered a people without a country

19. Sons of Japheth
Javan:
Progenitor of he Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, Portuguese Ionia, which bears the name of Javan in Hebrew.
Alexander the Great is called the “king of Javan” (rendered “Grecia,” Dan. 8:21; 10:20; compare Dan. 11:2; Zech. 9:13).
This word was universally used by the nations of the East as the generic name of the Greek race.

20. Sons of Japheth
Tubal:
Progenitor of the Iberians, Georgians, Cappadocians and other Asiatic and European races.
Eastern Anatolia (Turkey)
It is mentioned by Isaiah (Isa. 66:19), along with Javan, and by Ezekiel (Ezek. 27:13), along with Meshech, among the traders with Tyre, also among the confederates of Gog (Ezek. 38:2, 3; 39:1), and with Meshech among the nations which were to be destroyed (Ezek. 32:26).

21. Sons of Japheth Meshech: means “drawing out”
Eastern Anatolia (Turkey)
Sons of Japheth
Meshech: means “drawing out”
Progenitor of the Muscovite tribes that now inhabit Russia. Eastern Anatolia (Turkey)
They were in all probability the Moschi, a people inhabiting the Moschian Mountains, between the Black and the Caspian Seas. Became known as Muscovs, and gave that name to the Russian nation and its ancient capital by which they are still generally known throughout the East.
Tubal and Meshech are promenate players in the invasion of Israel that is about to take place.

22. Eastern Anatolia (Turkey)
Sons of Japheth
Tiras:
The Progenitor of the Thracians and perhaps the Etruscans who migrated to Italy. It may refer to the seafaring Pelasgians of the Aegean coasts the Etruscans of Italy.

23. Genesis 10:3
And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

24. Japheth Sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz Related to the Scythians
Riphath Founder of the Paphlagonians
Togarmah The Sauromates, distant northern tribes
1. [Ashkenaz] (related to the Scythians), Probably gave his name to Sacagena, a very excellent province of Armenia. Pliny mentions a people called Ascanitici, who dwelt about the Tanais and the Palus Maeotis; and some suppose that from Ashkenaz the Euxine Sea derived its name, but others suppose that from him the Germans derived their origin.
 2. [Riphath] Or Diphath, the founder of the Paphlagonians, which were anciently called Riphataei, distant northern tribes. The word Europe is dirived from their language.
 3. [Togarmah] The Sauromates, or inhabitants of Turcomania, distant northern tribes.

25. Genesis 10:4
And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

26. Japheth
Sons of Javan: Two geographical names and two tribal names – all kin to the Greeks
Elishah Cyprus, Greece
Tarshish Distant coast Asia Minor, Cilicia
Kittim Cyprus, the Macedonians
Dodanim Dodona, Greece Island of Rhodes
Tarshish may have been in the British Isles.
They knew from history Tarshish was a source of tin and British isles were known for their tin.

27. , it is about all Israelites returning to Israel

29. 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.
[isles of the Gentiles] a phrase by which the Hebrews described all countries which were accessible by sea (Is 11:11; 20:6; Jer 25:22). Maritime countries of the Mediterranean (Isaiah 42:4,10; Isaiah 49:1; Isaiah 66:19; Jeremiah 2:10; Ezekiel 27:3-7,15,35; Daniel 11:18).
After his tongue – reference to change of languages, however that has not happened yet, it will happen in Gen 11:1 That will come in the tower of Babel incident in Chapter 11. That will be a recapitulation to show how the languages were changed.
This is not about the continental drift

30. Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
The descendants of Ham (vv. 6-20) emigrated southward, and their settlements were: formed the eastern and southern peoples of Mesopotamia.

32. In reality there are no Palestinians now
In reality there are no Palestinians now. They were completely wiped out in history. This label was first given by the Romans to as a name for the land and people to aggravate the Jews. The British also carried on the name for the land and people for the same reason. The Palestinians claim is a lie.

33. Cush progenitor of various Ethiopian tribes that settled south of Egypt and also overran Arabia, Babylonia, and India.
[Mizraim] (Genesis 10:6,13-14; 1 Chron. 1:8-11), progenitor of various Egyptian tribes. Mizraim means "double." Tribes of the double Egypt (upper and lower Egypt). It is generally thought that his father accompanied him and personally superintended the formation of the settlement, whence Egypt was called “the land of Ham” (Psalm 78:51; Psalm 105:23-27; Psalm 106:22). The Philistines also came from Mizraim (Genesis 10:14). The two capitals of Egypt were Memphis and Thebes.

36. Sons of Ham
Cush:
Progenitor of various Ethiopian tribes that settled south of Egypt.
Overran Arabia, Babylonia, and India.

37. Sons of Ham Mizraim: Progenitor of various Egyptian tribes.
Mizraim means "double." Tribes of the double Egypt (upper and lower Egypt).
It is generally thought that his father accompanied him and personally superintended the formation of the settlement, whence Egypt was called “the land of Ham” (Psalm 78:51; Psalm 105:23-27; Psalm 106:22).
The two capitals of Egypt were Memphis and Thebes.
The Philistines also came from Mizraim (Genesis 10:14).

38. Genesis 10:32
19In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. 20And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
Progenitor of various Egyptian tribes. Mizraim means "double." Tribes of the double Egypt (upper and lower Egypt).
The two capitals of Egypt were Memphis and Thebes.
There are scholars who believe this verse refers to the great pyramid, but others say no because it is not on the border. However it was on the border of northern Egypt and Southern Egypt at this time.
Giza means border in Arabic.
Isaiah 19:19-20

39. Sons of Ham
Phut:
Progenitor of the Libyans and other tribes in northern Africa.
(Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5; Ezekiel 38:5; Jeremiah 46:9; Nahum 3:9).

40. Sons of Ham Canaan: Canaan in the country known by his name.
Progenitor of peoples that settled mainly in Palestine, Arabia, Tyre, Sidon, and other parts of the land promised to Abraham.
These nations are often mentioned in connection with Israel (Genesis 10:15-19; Genesis 15:18-21; Deut. 7:1-3; Joshua 12).

41. Genesis 10:7
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

42. Ham Sons of Cush: Seba Upper Egypt
Havilah Northern Eastern Arabia Pursian Gulf
Sabtah Western shore of Persian Gulf
Raamah Southern Arabia
Sabtechah Southern Arabia

43. Ham
Sons of Raamah:
- Sheba Area was in southwest Arabia (cf. the queen of Sheba, 1 Kgs 10:1-13),
- Dedan Northern Arabia. Some of the people in these ancient kingdoms traced their lineage to Joktan from Shem (Gen :29). So there was a mixing in the settlement.

44. Genesis 10:8-9
8And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
[Nimrod] comes from the Hebrew marad (H4775), "to rebel." It points to some violent and open rebellion against God. Nimrod began to be a mighty one in the earth by bold and daring deeds.
The genealogy story here takes a break and talks a little about Nimrod
His rebellion is associated with the beginning of his kingdom and suggests that his hunting and mighty deeds were related primarily to hunting men by tyranny and force. He lorded it over others, hunting and destroying all who opposed him in his despotic rule over people.
Will talk more about Nimrod in next Chapter.
I believe Nimrod is a forerunner of the antichrist of the end times. He was the first world dictator and the antichrist will be the last.

45. Genesis 10:10
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
This is the beginning of empires among human beings—not necessarily divine institutions guaranteeing law and order, as ordained by God to Noah (Genesis 9), but the achievements of lawless tyrants who taught people to revolt against divine laws and true authority.

46. Nimrod Mighty Hunter Many Assyrian tablets mention Nimrod
Mighty hunter = fierce
warrior
First empire builder,
world tyrant

47. Genesis 10:10
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
This is the beginning of empires among human beings—not necessarily divine institutions guaranteeing law and order, as ordained by God to Noah (Genesis 9), but the achievements of lawless tyrants who taught people to revolt against divine laws and true authority.

48. Genesis 10:11-12
11Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 12And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
Next we’re told that “Asshur” went forth and built Nineveh, the fabulous city at the heart of Assyria. And, like in Babylon, this Asshur fellow built 3 more great cities in Assyria. Who is Asshur? Asshur is simply the Assyrian name for Nimrod (Nimrod being a Babylonian name). So, verse 11 is still speaking about the same man….just using a different language……and that man was Nimrod.

50. Genesis 10:13
And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,

51. Sons of Ham Sons of Mizraim: Names are all plural “im”
Ludim Inhabitants of Mareotis, Egypt
Anamim Ammon (Temple of Jupiter)
Lehabim Libyans, Libvo-Egyptians
Naphtuhim Marmarica or Troglodyae

52. Genesis 10:14
And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.

53. Sons of Ham Sons of Mizraim: Names are all plural “im”
Pathrusim The Delta in Egypt
Casluhim Egypt
Philistim The people called Philistines
Caphtorim Cyprus
The people called Philistines, the constant plagues and frequent oppressors of the Israelites, whose history may be seen at large in the books of Samuel, Kings, etc.

54. Genesis 10:15
And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
[Sidon] Who probably built the city of this name, and was the father of the Sidonians.
[Heth] From whom came the Hittites, so remarkable among the Canaanitish nations.

55. Sons of Ham Sons of Canaan: - Sidon Built city in this name
Father of the Sidonians
- Heth Hittites
Heth From whom came the Hittites, so remarkable among the Canaanitish nations.
Ancestor of the Hittites, whose great empire held sway from 1600–700 B.C. The principal cities of the Hittites were Carchemish on the Euphrates and Kadesh on the Orontes. These people settled in the vicinity of Hebron, and witnessed Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpelah from Ephron (23:8-10). Esau married into the tribe.
The Hittites found their way into the Assyrian and Egyptian inscriptions. Archaeologists have found valuable remains of the civilization of that powerful empire.

56. Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
Are well known as being the ancient inhabitants of Canaan, expelled by the children of Israel.
Amorite - was a general reference to western Semites, but here points to a smaller ethnic group in the mixed population of Canaan.

57. Sons of Ham Sons of Canaan: Jebusite Amorite Girgasite
Are well known as being the ancient inhabitants of Canaan, expelled by the children of Israel.
[Amorite] was a general reference to western Semites, but here points to a smaller ethnic group in the mixed population of Canaan.

58. Genesis 10:17-18
17And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 18And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
[Sinite] People went to China.
They were really spread abroad
Chinese are a derivative af Canaan

59. Sons of Ham Sons of Canaan: Hivite Arkite Sinite Arvadite Zemarite
Hamathite
[Sinite] People went to China.

60. Genesis 10:19-20
19And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. 20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
Again after their tongues - languages

63. Genesis 10:21-22
21Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. 22The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
Verses like this help us to understand the birth order, when names are mentioned in order of importance in other or previous verses.

64. Sons of Shem
Elam:
Progenitor of the Elamites who settled near the Persian Gulf (Genesis 14:1,9; Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 21:2; Isaiah 22:6; Jeremiah 25:25; Jeremiah 49:34-39; Ezekiel 32:24; Daniel 8:2).
Elamites, dwelt in the highlands east of Babylonia.
Elam “High” (Location of the Ark?)

65. Sons of Shem
Asshur:
Progenitor of the Assyrians (Numbers 24:22-24; Ezekiel 27:23; Ezekiel 32:22; Hosea 14:3).
Asshur was the name of the region and people of Assyria, where Nimrod, a Hamite, had founded several cities (v. 11).
This was not “The Nimrod”

66. Sons of Shem
Arphaxad:
Progenitor of the Israelites, Arabians, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Ishmaelites, Midianites, and other tribes of Asia.
(Genesis 11:10-32; Genesis 17:20; Genesis 25;
Arphaxad resided northeast of Nineveh

67. Sons of Shem
Lud: Proagenitor of the Lydians of Asia Minor, and the Ludim of chaldea and Persia. Lud was the Ludbu of the Assyrians.

68. Sons of Shem
Aram: Progenitor of Aramaeans, later called Syrians. Aram was an ancestor of the Aramean tribes in the steppes of Mesopotamia.
In the general division of the earth, the countries of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria fell to his descendants.

70. Genesis 10:23
And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.

71. Sons of Shem Sons of Aram: Uz Founder of Damascus Hul Armenia
Gether Itureans from Jordan
Mash Mesopotamia
River Mazeca gets its name from Mash

72. Genesis 10:24-25
24And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. 25And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

73. Sons of Shem
Sons of Eber: The Hebrew word Eber menas “across”, or “the oppostie side” reference to Euphrates.
Hebrew is derived from this word
- Peleg Earth divided among the sons on Noah. About years after the flood
Many try to put the continental drift here, probably not, probably happened during the flood.
Peleg means divided. The nations and language issue

74. Genesis 10:24-25
24And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. 25And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

75. Genesis 10:26-29
26And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, 27And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, 28And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, 29And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
Queen of sheba

76. Genesis 10:30-31
30And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east. 31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

77. Genesis 10:32
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.
Talking about divisions again, nations and language.

79. METHUSELAH 969 years (Gen. 5:27) LAMECH 777 years (Gen. 5:31)
ADAM 930 years (Gen. 5:5)
SETH 912 years (Gen. 5:8)
ENOSH 905 years (Gen. 5:11)
ENOCH 365 years (Gen. 5:23)
METHUSELAH 969 years (Gen. 5:27)
LAMECH 777 years (Gen. 5:31)
NOAH 950 years (Gen. 9:29)
The Flood
SHEM 600 years (Gen. 11:10, 11)
EBER 464 years (Gen. 11:16, 17)
TERAH 205 years (Gen. 11:32)
ABRAHAM 175 years (Gen. 25:7)
ISAAC 180 years (Gen. 35:28)
JACOB 147 years (Gen. 47:28)
JOSEPH 110 years (Gen. 50:26)
The patriarchs who lived before the Flood had an average lifespan of about 900 years (Gen. 5). The ages of post-Flood patriarchs dropped rapidly and gradually leveled off (Gen. 11). Some suggest that this is due to major environmental changes brought about by the Flood.

81. God sets boundaries for each of these.

86. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

87. Union Church Bible Study
Genesis
End
Genesis
Chapter 10
Union Church Bible Study