These are the generations of the sons of Noah—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.
KJV Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
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Translator Notes
The fourth toledot formula (cf. 2:4; 5:1; 6:9). This chapter is often called the 'Table of Nations' — a unique document in the ancient world that maps the known peoples of the earth into a single family tree. It presents all humanity as descended from one family, unified by common origin despite linguistic and geographic diversity.
The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
KJV The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
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Translator Notes
Japheth's sons generally correspond to peoples in Asia Minor, the Aegean, and regions north and west of the ancient Near East: Gomer (Cimmerians), Magog (Scythians or a northern people), Madai (Medes), Javan (Ionians/Greeks), Tubal and Meshech (Anatolian peoples), Tiras (possibly Thracians or Etruscans). These identifications are approximate and debated.
The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
KJV And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
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Translator Notes
Ashkenaz is later associated with the Scythians and, in medieval Jewish tradition, with Germanic peoples (hence 'Ashkenazi Jews'). Togarmah is associated with Armenia or southeastern Anatolia (cf. Ezekiel 27:14; 38:6).
The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
KJV And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
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Translator Notes
Javan's sons represent Mediterranean peoples: Elishah (possibly Alashiya/Cyprus), Tarshish (a distant western port, possibly Tartessus in Spain or Tarsus in Cilicia), Kittim (Cyprus, later extended to other Mediterranean peoples), Dodanim (possibly Rhodes; 1 Chronicles 1:7 reads 'Rodanim').
From these the coastland peoples spread out in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations.
KJV By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
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Translator Notes
'Coastland peoples' (iyyei haggoyim, אִיֵּי הַגּוֹיִם) — iyy refers to islands or coastlands, typically the Mediterranean coasts and islands. The Japhethites are associated with maritime regions.
'Each with his own language' — this reference to diverse languages precedes the Tower of Babel narrative (chapter 11), which explains how linguistic diversity originated. The Table of Nations describes the result; Babel explains the cause.
KJV And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
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Translator Notes
Ham's sons represent African and Near Eastern peoples: Cush (Ethiopia/Nubia/Upper Nile region), Mizraim (Egypt — the Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitsrayim), Put (Libya or Punt), and Canaan (the land of Canaan / Levantine coast). The Hamitic peoples occupy Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.
The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
KJV And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
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Translator Notes
These names are associated with peoples and regions in Africa and Arabia. Sheba is linked to the Sabean kingdom of southwestern Arabia (modern Yemen). Havilah appears also in 2:11. Dedan is associated with northwestern Arabia.
Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first mighty warrior on the earth.
KJV And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
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Translator Notes
'Nimrod' (נִמְרֹד) — the first individual singled out for extended description in the Table of Nations. His name may be related to the verb marad (מָרַד, 'to rebel'), though this etymology is debated.
'The first mighty warrior on the earth' (hu hechel lihyot gibbor ba'arets) — literally 'he began to be a mighty one on the earth.' The word gibbor (גִּבֹּר, 'mighty one, warrior, hero') connects Nimrod to the gibborim of 6:4. The verb hechel ('began') suggests he was the originator or prototype of the warrior-king.
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. Therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD."
KJV He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
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Translator Notes
'A mighty hunter before the LORD' (gibbor-tsayid lifnei YHWH) — the phrase lifnei YHWH ('before the LORD') can mean 'in the LORD's sight/estimation' or 'in defiance of the LORD.' The proverb 'like Nimrod' suggests his reputation was proverbial — he became the standard by which mighty hunters were measured.
Whether 'before the LORD' is positive (with God's approval) or negative (in opposition to God) is debated. The context — his kingdom-building in Babylon and Assyria (vv. 10–12) — and the possible wordplay with 'rebel' have led many interpreters to see Nimrod negatively.
The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
KJV And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
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Translator Notes
'Babel' (בָּבֶל) — Babylon. This is the first mention of Babylon, which will become one of the Bible's most significant cities — the site of the Tower of Babel (chapter 11) and later the empire that destroys Jerusalem and exiles Judah. Its founding is attributed to Nimrod.
'The land of Shinar' (erets Shin'ar) — the region of southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). Shinar appears again in 11:2 as the location of the Tower of Babel.
Erech is ancient Uruk, one of the world's first great cities. Accad is the capital of the Akkadian Empire. These are historical cities of ancient Mesopotamia.
From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah,
KJV Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
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Translator Notes
The subject is ambiguous — 'he went to Assyria' could mean Nimrod went to Assyria (extending his kingdom), or Asshur (Assyria personified) went out. The rendering follows the reading that Nimrod is the subject, extending his empire from Babylon into Assyria.
Nineveh becomes the capital of the Assyrian Empire and plays a central role in the book of Jonah and in the prophets. Its founding is connected to Nimrod's expansionism.
and Resen between Nineveh and Calah—that is the great city.
KJV And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
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Translator Notes
'The great city' (ha'ir haggedolah) — which city is 'the great city' is ambiguous. It could refer to Resen, Calah, or the entire urban complex between Nineveh and Calah. Nineveh is called 'the great city' in Jonah 1:2; 3:2–3.
Mizraim fathered the Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
KJV And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
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Translator Notes
These names are in plural form (the -im ending), indicating peoples or ethnic groups rather than individuals. Mizraim (Egypt) is the ancestor of various North African peoples. The Ludim may be Libyans; the Lehabim are also possibly Libyan.
Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim.
KJV And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
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Translator Notes
'From whom the Philistines came' — this parenthetical note identifies the origin of the Philistines, Israel's future nemesis. However, other passages (Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4) associate the Philistines with Caphtor (likely Crete). The parenthetical may be displaced — some scholars suggest it originally modified Caphtorim rather than Casluhim.
Pathrusim are associated with Upper Egypt (Pathros). Caphtorim are from Caphtor, widely identified with Crete or the Aegean region.
KJV And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
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Translator Notes
Sidon is the ancient Phoenician city on the Lebanese coast. Heth is the ancestor of the Hittites (benei-Chet), who appear later in Genesis as inhabitants of Canaan from whom Abraham purchases a burial cave (chapter 23).
KJV And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
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Translator Notes
These are the peoples of Canaan who will be displaced by Israel. The Jebusites inhabit Jerusalem (called Jebus) until David's conquest. The Amorites are a major population group throughout Canaan and Transjordan.
KJV And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
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Translator Notes
The Hivites are a Canaanite people (cf. 34:2; Joshua 9:7; 11:19). The Arkites are from Arqa in northern Phoenicia (modern Lebanon). The Sinites are possibly from a town near Arqa.
the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites spread out.
KJV And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
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Translator Notes
Arvad is an island city off the Syrian coast. Hamath is a major city in Syria (modern Hama). These represent the northern extent of Canaanite territory. The Canaanites are presented as a widespread and diverse group of peoples.
The territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
KJV And 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.
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Translator Notes
The Canaanite territory is described by its boundaries — from the Phoenician coast (Sidon) south to Gaza and inland to the cities of the plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim). These cities will feature prominently in chapters 13–14 and 18–19. This geographical note anticipates the setting for Abraham's story.
These are the sons of Ham, by their clans, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
KJV These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
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Translator Notes
A summary formula closing the Hamite section, matching the Japhethite summary in verse 5. The four categories — clans, languages, lands, nations — present each people group as a complete social unit.
To Shem also, the father of all the sons of Eber and the older brother of Japheth, children were born.
KJV Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
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Translator Notes
'The father of all the sons of Eber' — Shem is identified specifically as Eber's ancestor. Eber (Ever, עֵבֶר) is the eponymous ancestor of the 'Hebrews' (Ivrim). The name Hebrew (Ivri) derives from Eber. This identification marks Shem's line as the one that leads to Abraham and Israel.
'The older brother of Japheth' (achi Yephet haggadol) — this phrase is ambiguous: either 'the brother of Japheth the elder' (Japheth is the older) or 'the elder brother of Japheth' (Shem is the older). The Hebrew allows both readings. The rendering follows the reading that Shem is older.
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.
KJV The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
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Translator Notes
Shem's sons represent peoples of the Near East: Elam (southwestern Iran), Asshur (Assyria), Arpachshad (uncertain — possibly associated with Chaldea/southern Mesopotamia), Lud (Lydia in western Anatolia), and Aram (Arameans of Syria). Arpachshad is the ancestor through whom the line leads to Abraham (11:10–26).
Genesis 10:23
וּבְנֵ֖י אֲרָ֑ם ע֥וּץ וְח֖וּל וְגֶ֥תֶר וָמַֽשׁ׃
The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
KJV And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
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Translator Notes
Uz is notable as the homeland of Job ('the land of Uz,' Job 1:1). The region is associated with the area east of the Jordan, possibly Edom or northern Arabia.
To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and the name of his brother was Joktan.
KJV And 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.
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Translator Notes
'Peleg' (פֶּלֶג) means 'division' — from palag (פָּלַג, 'to divide'). The explanation 'in his days the earth was divided' (niphlegah ha'arets) is a wordplay on his name. The 'division' likely refers to the division of peoples and languages at Babel (chapter 11), though some have suggested a geographical or political division.
Peleg's line leads to Abraham (11:18–26); Joktan's line leads to Arabian peoples (vv. 26–29).
KJV And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
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Translator Notes
Joktan's sons are associated with Arabian peoples and places. Hazarmaveth corresponds to the Hadramaut region of southern Arabia (modern Yemen). These names trace the genealogy of South Arabian peoples.
Genesis 10:27
וְאֶת־הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת־אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת־דִּקְלָֽה׃
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
KJV And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
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Translator Notes
Uzal may be associated with Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. Diklah may mean 'palm grove.'
Genesis 10:28
וְאֶת־עוֹבָ֥ל וְאֶת־אֲבִימָאֵ֖ל וְאֶת־שְׁבָֽא׃
Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
KJV And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
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Translator Notes
Sheba appears both here (in Joktan's line) and in verse 7 (in Cush's line). The Sabean kingdom may have had connections to both Cushite and Semitic populations.
Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
KJV And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
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Translator Notes
Ophir is famous as a source of gold (1 Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:48) — its location is debated (Arabia, East Africa, or even India have been proposed). Havilah, like Sheba, appears in multiple genealogies (v. 7 and 2:11), suggesting shared traditions or overlapping populations.
Their territory extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east.
KJV And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
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Translator Notes
The geographic boundaries of the Joktanite peoples — from Mesha to Sephar — are uncertain. 'The hill country of the east' (har haqqedem) points toward the mountainous regions of Arabia or beyond.
These are the sons of Shem, by their clans, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
KJV These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
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Translator Notes
The summary formula for the Shemite section matches the Japhethite (v. 5) and Hamite (v. 20) summaries. The four-category framework (clans, languages, lands, nations) applies uniformly to all three branches of humanity.
These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread out on the earth after the flood.
KJV 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.
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Translator Notes
The concluding formula encompasses all three sections. The Table of Nations presents a unified picture: all the peoples of the known world descend from one family, branching out from Noah's three sons after the flood. Despite the diversity of languages, lands, and nations, there is a fundamental unity of origin. The chapter anticipates the immediate question: how did this diversity arise? Chapter 11 will provide the answer in the Babel narrative.