Genesis 10:22 kjv

The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

Genesis 10:22 nkjv

The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

Genesis 10:22 niv

The sons of Shem: Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.

Genesis 10:22 esv

The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.

Genesis 10:22 nlt

The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 22 Meaning

Genesis 10:22 identifies five direct sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. This verse is part of the "Table of Nations," a foundational biblical record detailing the lineages and spread of humanity after the great Flood through Noah's three sons. It specifically lists the progenitors of significant nations and ethnic groups in the ancient Near East, establishing a divine-historical framework for the subsequent interactions among these peoples and particularly for the lineage leading to Abraham and, ultimately, the Messiah.

Genesis 10 22 Context

Genesis 10 is widely known as the "Table of Nations." It serves as a pivotal bridge between the Flood narrative and the patriarchal history, systematically charting the genealogical dispersal of humanity from Noah's three sons—Japheth, Ham, and Shem—who repopulated the earth. This chapter begins by asserting the common ancestry of all peoples (Gen 10:1-2), thereby underscoring humanity's unity and shared origin in God's creative act and post-Flood recreation. Verse 22 specifically focuses on Shem's direct male lineage, which is distinct due to the special blessing pronounced upon Shem in Genesis 9:26-27. Unlike the more broadly distributed Japhethites or the cursed Canaanite branch of Ham's lineage, Shem's descendants are central to the unfolding redemptive narrative, leading directly to Abraham in the subsequent chapter. The meticulous listing of these five sons provides the historical and geographical foundation for many of the nations that will later interact with Israel, sometimes as allies, often as adversaries, all under the sovereign hand of God.

Genesis 10 22 Word analysis

• The sons of Shem: (Hebrew: בְּנֵ֣י שֵׁ֔ם B'nei Shem)

  • B'nei: "Sons of" or "descendants of." This term indicates a lineal, genealogical relationship, denoting progeny who continue the family line. It is not necessarily limited to direct sons but implies principal heirs or founders of sub-lines.
  • Shem: (Hebrew: שֵׁ֔ם Shem) Meaning "name" or "renown." This name is significant given Noah's blessing in Gen 9:26, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem." It suggests a prominent lineage, especially as it leads directly to the covenant line of Abraham. His descendants will carry the "name" of God's redemptive purpose.
  • Significance: This phrase immediately establishes the focus of this section of the Table of Nations, pivoting towards the line chosen by God for the unfolding of His redemptive plan, setting it apart from the lineages of Japheth and Ham.

• Elam: (Hebrew: עֵילָ֤ם ʿÊlām)

  • Progenitor of the Elamites, who inhabited the region of Elam (southwestern modern-day Iran). Elam was an ancient civilization often involved in conflicts and alliances with Mesopotamia and, later, a significant power. Known for their formidable archers.
  • Significance: Mentions of Elam in later prophetic books (Isa 11:11, Jer 49:34-39, Ezek 32:24-25) confirm their historical presence and their interaction with Israel's destiny, indicating that even seemingly distant nations fall under God's prophetic word. Elamites were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:9).

• Asshur: (Hebrew: אַשּׁ֖וּר ʾAššûr)

  • Progenitor of the Assyrians, a mighty Semitic people who established the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Their capital was Nineveh. Assyria became the major superpower that devastated the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and exerted heavy influence over Judah.
  • Significance: Assyria serves as a primary example in biblical prophecy of a powerful, idolatrous nation used by God as a "rod" of judgment (Isa 10:5-6) before being judged themselves.

• Arpachshad: (Hebrew: אַרְפַּכְשַׁ֣ד ʾArpakhšad)

  • This name's etymology and exact geographical connection are less clear than the others, which further emphasizes his purely genealogical significance. He is the ancestor in the direct line leading from Shem to Abraham, as detailed in Genesis 11 and later genealogies (1 Chr 1, Luke 3).
  • Significance: Arpachshad is genealogically crucial as the patriarch from whom the line of promise to Abraham (and ultimately the Messiah) directly descends. His inclusion highlights the careful divine selection of a specific lineage through which God's redemptive purpose for all humanity would unfold.

• Lud: (Hebrew: ל֥וּד Lûḏ)

  • Progenitor of the Lydians (located in western Asia Minor) or possibly another related people, perhaps connected to certain African groups or an Aramean subgroup. Identification is debated among scholars, though strong connections point towards Asia Minor.
  • Significance: Lud, like other listed descendants, reflects the widespread dispersion of humanity from Noah's family, reaching various regions of the ancient world. They are later mentioned in connection with trade and military forces (Ezek 27:10).

• and Aram: (Hebrew: וַֽאֲרָֽם waʾărām)

  • Wa-: Hebrew conjunction "and," connecting Aram to the list.
  • Aram: Progenitor of the Arameans, who inhabited a wide region including Syria (hence often translated "Syrians" or "Arameans"). Aramaic became a significant lingua franca in the ancient Near East and is present in later biblical texts.
  • Significance: The Arameans were close neighbors and frequent adversaries of Israel. Figures like Rebekah and Laban (Gen 25, 29) are from Aram, indicating the intertwined history and familial links between early Israel and Arameans. Their presence underlines the historical realities reflected in the Bible's narrative.

• Words-group Analysis: "The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram."

  • This listing serves as a theological statement about divine ordering. It is not just a random enumeration but a purposeful tracing of the principal branches originating from Shem.
  • The structure signifies the foundational role of these individuals as patriarchal heads of future nations.
  • The distinct inclusion of these names establishes the ethnological map upon which much of Israel's history will unfold, emphasizing that God's plans are embedded within the historical realities of humanity's spread. It prefigures the interaction and conflict with nations like Assyria and Aram, and most importantly, traces the sacred line that brings forth Abraham, the covenant, and the Redeemer.

Genesis 10 22 Bonus section

The "Table of Nations" (Genesis 10) is unparalleled in ancient literature as a comprehensive ethno-geographical document from a theological perspective. It affirms several crucial truths for the biblical worldview:

• Monogenesis: All humanity shares a common ancestor, Noah's family, contradicting polygenetic or disparate origins theories common in ancient myths.
• Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The detailed listing implies that the scattering and formation of nations were not random but part of God's design to fill the earth and establish the "boundaries of their dwelling places" (Acts 17:26).
• Preparation for Redemption: The precise identification of Shem's line lays the necessary groundwork for the covenant with Abraham. The listing implicitly marks out the arena where God's covenant people will emerge and interact with the world, leading to the fulfillment of His promises in Christ.
• Ethno-Prophetic Significance: Many nations listed here become active players in the Old Testament narrative and targets of prophetic messages, validating the historical reliability of Scripture and God's consistent dealings with humanity.

Genesis 10 22 Commentary

Genesis 10:22, nestled within the broader Table of Nations, is far more than a simple genealogical list; it is a divinely inspired blueprint of post-Flood humanity's repopulation and a critical foreshadowing of redemptive history. By detailing Shem's direct descendants, the verse meticulously sets the stage for God's concentrated work through a chosen lineage. The inclusion of names like Elam, Asshur, and Aram indicates a sweeping geographical scope, illustrating God's sovereign hand over the formation and dispersion of various peoples and nations—peoples who would profoundly interact with Israel later on, sometimes as powerful empires of oppression (Assyria), other times as close relatives and neighbors (Aram).

Most crucially, the verse introduces Arpachshad, a figure whose unique significance lies purely in his direct connection to the Abrahamic line, as elucidated in Genesis 11. Unlike his brothers, who become widely recognized national founders, Arpachshad's primary importance is genealogical, pointing explicitly to the focused divine selection of a path leading to the Messiah. This chapter and verse refute contemporary polytheistic myths that attributed the origins of various peoples to different deities; instead, all humanity originates from a single family through God's design. The verse, therefore, undergirds the biblical truth of monogenesis and highlights the particular favor upon Shem's descendants through whom the promised blessing for all nations would eventually come (Gen 12:3). It reminds us that even in the broadest sweep of human history, God's precise plan for salvation is at work, selecting and directing events for His ultimate purpose.