Genesis 10:21 kjv

Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Genesis 10:21 nkjv

And children were born also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder.

Genesis 10:21 niv

Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

Genesis 10:21 esv

To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born.

Genesis 10:21 nlt

Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 21 Meaning

Genesis 10:21 introduces Shem, one of Noah's sons, highlighting his unique lineage. It identifies him as "the father of all the children of Eber" and as a brother of Japheth. This verse signifies Shem's crucial role as the progenitor of a specific and pivotal line of humanity, specifically leading to the Hebrew people, setting the stage for God's redemptive covenant that unfolds later in the biblical narrative.

Genesis 10 21 Context

Genesis 10 is widely known as the "Table of Nations," a genealogical list detailing the origins and dispersion of the diverse peoples inhabiting the world after the great Flood. It begins with Japheth's descendants (vv. 2-5), followed by Ham's (vv. 6-20), and concludes with Shem's (vv. 21-31). This structure serves to demonstrate the repopulation of the earth from a single family, reinforcing humanity's common ancestry.

Verse 21 specifically marks the beginning of the Shemitic lineage, which is distinct because it leads directly to Abram (Abraham), the progenitor of the chosen nation, Israel, and ultimately to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This chapter acts as a universal preamble to the particular history of redemption, showing how God prepared a specific line through which His covenant would be established, amidst the spread of all human communities. Historically, this genealogical account would have provided the ancient Israelite audience with a coherent understanding of their place among the nations and the divine significance of their heritage.

Genesis 10 21 Word analysis

• And also / to Shem (וּלְשֵׁם֙, u-lə-Šēm): The conjunction "And" connects this statement to the preceding accounts of Japheth and Ham, emphasizing the completeness of Noah's descendants. "Shem" (שֵׁם, Šēm), meaning "Name," carries prophetic weight. Though often listed third in birth order (or second with Ham as youngest), Shem is often discussed first or last with theological emphasis in narratives like Gen 9, indicating his narrative significance rather than strict chronology. His name could subtly foreshadow the preservation of God's own "Name" through his descendants.
• the father of all (אֲבִ֖י כָּל־, aḇī kōl-): This phrase highlights Shem's role as a broad ancestor, not necessarily a direct father of every individual, but the progenitor of various related tribes and peoples. It signifies a significant and encompassing lineage under his branch of the family.
• the children of Eber (בְּנֵי־עֵ֑בֶר, bə-nê ‘Ê-ḇer): "Eber" (עֵבֶר, ‘Ê-ḇer) is a crucial figure in this verse. His name is strongly associated with the term "Hebrew" ('Ivrî), signifying a close ancestral link to the chosen people. The "children of Eber" are therefore identified as the earliest forebears of the Abrahamic line and the later nation of Israel, marking their distinctive heritage and prophetic destiny within the broader Table of Nations. This implies a specific cultural and perhaps linguistic distinction, often linked to migration or crossing over a geographic boundary (the meaning of eber).
• the elder brother of Japheth (וַאֲחִ֣י יֶ֔פֶת הַגָּד֖וֹל, wa-’ă-ḥī Ye-p̄eṯ hag-gā-ḏōl): This is a point of nuanced translation and scholarly debate.
  • Grammatically, הַגָּדוֹל (hag-gā-ḏōl, meaning "the great" or "the elder/older") most directly modifies יֶפֶת (Japheth). Thus, it would literally read "and the brother of Japheth, the great one/the elder one." This interpretation supports the view that Japheth was Noah's eldest son, as suggested by his frequent listing first and chronological cues (Gen 5:32; 10:2, 11:10 imply Shem was 100 at the flood and Japheth likely older).
  • However, many English translations render it as "the elder brother of Japheth," which could be misunderstood to mean Shem was older than Japheth. While less common, some interpretations suggest "the great one" might refer to Shem's narrative importance, making him the "great brother of Japheth," irrespective of birth order.
  • Regardless of the precise order, the mention serves to identify Shem clearly within Noah's immediate family. If Japheth is indeed the elder, stating it here also subtly sets Shem apart as not being the firstborn yet receiving a distinct and more prominent narrative focus, a recurring theme in biblical genealogies (e.g., Jacob over Esau).

Genesis 10 21 Bonus Section

• Polemics Against Paganism: The structured genealogy of Genesis 10, particularly the focus on one originating family, implicitly stands in contrast to common Ancient Near Eastern mythological cosmologies that posited multiple divine origins for various people groups or viewed foreign nations as entirely distinct, often monstrous, creations. By demonstrating a common ancestor (Noah, and ultimately Adam), the biblical account asserts the unity of all humanity.
• The Name Eber (‘Ê-ḇer): The Hebrew word ‘ēḇer signifies "region beyond" or "crossing over." This ties into the later identity of Abraham as "Abram the Hebrew" (ha-Ivri), implying he was "from the other side" (of the Euphrates River, Gen 12:1; Josh 24:2-3). This linguistic connection is not coincidental; it points to a historical migration and the unique identity of a people chosen for a divine purpose, distinct from the surrounding nations.
• Theological Progression: While Japheth received a blessing of expansion, and Ham's line experienced a curse related to servitude, Shem's line is specifically identified as the lineage through whom Yahweh, the God of Abraham and Israel, would be known and worshipped. This verse is thus a critical hinge in moving from the general history of humanity to the particular history of redemption, foreshadowing the divine election of a people through whom blessing would extend to all families of the earth (Gen 12:3).

Genesis 10 21 Commentary

Genesis 10:21 acts as a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, moving from the broad universalism of the Table of Nations to the particularism of God's redemptive plan. After cataloging the expansive lineages of Japheth and Ham, the text meticulously narrows its focus to Shem. The emphasis on Shem as "the father of all the children of Eber" is foundational, indicating the specific emergence of the proto-Hebrews from whom Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would descend. This verse subtly contrasts with pagan narratives of human origins prevalent in the Ancient Near East, which often attributed diverse peoples to separate divine parentage or mythological encounters. Instead, the Bible presents a singular human family originating from Noah, yet highlights a divinely chosen line that carries the promise of redemption.

While the exact birth order of Noah's sons might be debated based on the precise grammatical interpretation of "the elder brother of Japheth," the verse unmistakably shifts the narrative's theological weight to Shem's descendants. It shows God's sovereign hand in electing a specific lineage through which His covenant and the ultimate salvation plan would unfold, affirming that even amidst global diversity, divine purpose is concentrated through a faithful few. This distinction ensures the reader understands the theological progression that leads to the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 and the eventual birth of the Messiah.