Genesis 10 1

Genesis 10:1 kjv

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

Genesis 10:1 nkjv

Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

Genesis 10:1 niv

This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah's sons, who themselves had sons after the flood.

Genesis 10:1 esv

These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.

Genesis 10:1 nlt

This is the account of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the great flood.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 1 Meaning

This verse serves as the introduction to the "Table of Nations," establishing that all human families on Earth after the global flood originated from the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It marks the commencement of a new genealogical section in Genesis, focusing on the repopulation and dispersion of humanity from a single lineage after the devastating judgment of the flood.

Genesis 10 1 Context

Genesis 10:1 serves as a pivotal bridge within the book of Genesis. It immediately follows the account of the global flood, God's covenant with Noah, and Noah's private interactions with his sons. Historically, it anchors the narrative to a point after the catastrophic divine judgment, signifying a new beginning for humanity. Literarily, it opens a section often referred to as the "Table of Nations" (Genesis 10:1-32), which details the ethnological and geographical dispersion of peoples across the ancient world. This "table" highlights the diverse origins of the various nations known to Israel, emphasizing their common descent from a single family and affirming God's overarching sovereignty in populating the Earth after the flood. This chapter stands as a theological assertion of humanity's unified origin, a direct refutation of any notion that different peoples sprung forth independently. It sets the stage for God's particular plan of redemption through Shem's lineage, eventually leading to Abram.

Genesis 10 1 Word analysis

• Now these are the generations: The Hebrew phrase is וְאֵ֣לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת (wə'elleh tôlᵉḏōt).
  • וְאֵ֣לֶּה (wə'elleh): "And these" or "Now these." The 'waw' conjunction ("and") connects it to the preceding narrative, while 'elleh ("these") introduces the specific subject of the ensuing account.
  • תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת (tōlᵉḏōt): "Generations," "account of births," "lineage," or "history." This is a crucial literary marker in Genesis, appearing eleven times to divide the book into its major sections (e.g., Gen 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 11:27; 25:12; 25:19; 36:1; 36:9; 37:2). It signifies a shift in focus to the descendants or history arising from a particular person or group. Its use here indicates the start of the section dealing with the descendants of Noah's sons.
• of the sons of Noah: Direct lineage from the flood's survivors. This phrase emphasizes the singular source of all post-flood humanity, grounding all future nations in this one family. It reinforces the universal scope of the flood.
• Shem, Ham, and Japheth: These are Noah's three sons, who survived the flood with him. Their consistent mention together throughout Genesis (Gen 6:10, 9:18-19) reinforces their role as the progenitors of all humanity. While Shem is listed first, he is sometimes listed last (Gen 9:24), though usually first in Genesis (Gen 5:32; 6:10; 7:13; 9:18). This verse sets them forth as the patriarchal heads of the new world. The naming order often highlights prominence in the subsequent narrative, with Shem's line leading to Abraham.
• and unto them were sons born after the flood:
  • and unto them were sons born: This signifies the expansion and proliferation of Noah's family, fulfilling the divine command to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" (Gen 9:1, 7). It points to the repopulation of the world through their progeny.
  • after the flood: This phrase is a critical chronological marker. It distinguishes the entire human lineage traced in Chapter 10 from the pre-flood world, emphasizing the divine judgment and the new beginning. It also underpins the universal reach of the flood and its complete impact on the former population, establishing all subsequent humanity as descendants of this single family line. This context clarifies that God, through Noah's family, sovereignly repopulated the earth.

Genesis 10 1 Bonus section

The concept of tōlᵉḏōt is not merely a literary device; it reflects a biblical understanding of history as a series of divine acts and human generations unfolding according to God's purpose. The repetition of "generations" through Genesis provides internal cohesion to the book, mapping the trajectory from creation to the patriarchs. The verse sets the stage for understanding that the diversity of nations, which later appears chaotic (e.g., Babel), originates from a single, blessed source and unfolds under God's providential care. This common ancestry is a foundational truth upon which the biblical understanding of humanity's shared fallenness (all descended from Adam through Noah) and the universal need for salvation (Christ as the second Adam for all peoples) are built. The fact that Shem's lineage, eventually leading to Abraham and ultimately Jesus, is emphasized in the subsequent chapters (Gen 11) indicates that while all nations are present, one line is chosen for the continuation of God's covenant promise.

Genesis 10 1 Commentary

Genesis 10:1 stands as the theological and structural linchpin for the "Table of Nations," asserting a foundational truth: all post-flood humanity stems from the three sons of Noah. This immediately undercuts any polygenistic theories, emphasizing a singular origin point for diverse peoples and nations. The introductory "these are the generations" acts as a literary signpost, marking a transition to a new segment detailing the historical expansion of God's redemptive plan through distinct family lines. The specific mention of "after the flood" reinforces the absolute demarcation between the antediluvian world and the re-established human race, highlighting God's faithful preservation and subsequent mandate for global repopulation. It prepares the reader to understand that while humanity spread across the earth and developed different languages and cultures, there is an underlying unity and common heritage established by God. This common origin will become significant in understanding God's covenant with Abraham, whose family, through Shem, will become a blessing to "all the families of the earth" (Gen 12:3).