Genesis 10 13

Genesis 10:13 kjv

And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,

Genesis 10:13 nkjv

Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

Genesis 10:13 niv

Egypt was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,

Genesis 10:13 esv

Egypt fathered Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

Genesis 10:13 nlt

Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 13 Meaning

Genesis 10:13 records specific peoples descended from Mizraim, who is known as the progenitor of Egypt. The verse lists Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, identifying them as distinct ethnic or tribal groups originating from or associated with the Egyptian lineage, thus tracing a portion of the post-Flood population dispersal.

Genesis 10 13 Context

Genesis chapter 10 is often referred to as the "Table of Nations," serving as a comprehensive genealogical record of the descendants of Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who dispersed across the earth after the great flood. This chapter meticulously traces the origins of various peoples and nations known to the ancient Israelites, providing a framework for understanding global human populations. Verse 13 specifically falls within the section detailing the descendants of Ham, identifying several ethnic groups that emerged from Mizraim, who represents Egypt. This lineage establishes a familial connection between the Israelites (descendants of Shem) and the Egyptians, alongside these other named peoples, asserting a common human ancestry rooted in the family of Noah.

Genesis 10 13 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A common conjunction, indicating continuation in the genealogical list.
• Mizraim (מִצְרַיִם - Mitsrayim): Hebrew for Egypt. It is a dual form, literally "the two Egypts," likely referring to the unified Upper and Lower Egypt. In the biblical context, Mizraim is a son of Ham (Gen 10:6) and serves as the eponymous ancestor of the Egyptians and associated peoples.
• begat (יָלַד - yalad): The Hebrew verb meaning "to bear, give birth, bring forth." In genealogies like the Table of Nations, while it can mean direct father-son descent, it often implies "was the progenitor of," "gave rise to," or "was the ancestor of" the subsequent peoples or nations.
• Ludim (לוּדִים - Ludim): This plural name refers to a people. Their exact identity is debated; they are sometimes linked to African groups, possibly a Libyan or Ethio-Egyptian people, often mentioned in prophetic books as warriors or mercenaries alongside other Hamitic peoples like Put and Cush (Jer 46:9, Ezek 30:5), distinct from Lydians (descendants of Shem).
• Anamim (עֲנָמִים - Anamim): Another people group originating from Mizraim. This group remains largely obscure with no definitive identification in external historical records, though some scholars place them in the Nile Delta or coastal North Africa.
• Lehabim (לְהָבִים - Lehavim): Widely identified with the Libyans (often called Lubim elsewhere in the Old Testament, e.g., 2 Chr 12:3, Nah 3:9). They were a significant people living west of Egypt in North Africa, frequently mentioned as allies or military participants with Egypt.
• Naphtuhim (נַפְתֻּחִים - Naphtuchim): This group is also largely unconfirmed by external sources. Scholarly speculation connects them to parts of the Nile Delta, the "mouth" (Hebrew petah) of the Nile, or perhaps a people from a specific region within Egypt, potentially northern Egypt or its coasts.

Genesis 10 13 Bonus section

• The names in Genesis 10 often appear with a plural ending (-im in Hebrew), signifying collective groups or descendants rather than individual persons, reinforcing that these are tribal or national entities.
• The inclusion of specific, sometimes obscure, groups within Mizraim's lineage implies that the Table of Nations is not just a theoretical framework but draws upon real historical and ethnic understandings, albeit presented genealogically.
• The "Table of Nations" overall subtly argues against polytheistic creation myths, affirming monogenism—the belief that all humanity descended from a single pair and thus, in this post-flood context, from Noah's family, implying shared humanity and responsibility before the one true God.
• Not all descendants of Mizraim are listed in Gen 10:13; verse 14 provides further names like Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim, from whom the significant Philistine nation arose. This shows the selectivity and importance placed on various branches.

Genesis 10 13 Commentary

Genesis 10:13, as part of the "Table of Nations," highlights the diverse groups that populated the earth through Mizraim (Egypt). This verse is a concise genealogical entry, demonstrating how various known or lesser-known ancient peoples traced their origins back to a common ancestor within the Hamitic line. It reveals a specific understanding of ethno-geographic relationships within the ancient world, situating groups like the Libyans within the broader Egyptian sphere of influence. While some of these "begotten" groups, such as the Anamim and Naphtuhim, remain archaeologically or historically obscure, their inclusion points to a detailed, if condensed, knowledge of the complex tapestry of nations and tribes contemporary to the biblical authors. This establishes the framework for understanding the global population, affirming that all nations stem from a single human family. For example, understanding the shared ancestry could underscore that God’s providential care extends to all peoples, not just Israel.