Genesis 10:23 kjv

And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.

Genesis 10:23 nkjv

The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

Genesis 10:23 niv

The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

Genesis 10:23 esv

The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

Genesis 10:23 nlt

The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 23 Meaning

Genesis 10:23 states that Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash were the direct male descendants, or "sons," of Aram. Aram himself was one of the five sons of Shem, making this verse a specific lineage within the "Table of Nations." It provides a foundational enumeration of early groups who originated from Aram, specifically laying the groundwork for the Aramean peoples.

Genesis 10 23 Context

Genesis chapter 10, often called the "Table of Nations," meticulously details the post-Flood dispersion of humanity through the three sons of Noah: Japheth, Ham, and Shem. It serves as a divinely inspired ethnographical map of the world known to the ancient Israelites, showing how all peoples descended from a single family. This chapter follows God's command to Noah and his sons to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" (Gen 9:1, 7).

Within this grand narrative, Genesis 10:23 is part of the section dedicated to Shem's descendants (Gen 10:21-31). Aram is identified as one of Shem's sons in the preceding verse (Gen 10:22). This specific verse provides the names of Aram's immediate sons, who became the progenitors of various Aramean (Syrian) subgroups. The historical context shows that the Arameans later emerged as significant peoples and kingdoms in Mesopotamia and the ancient Near East, frequently interacting with Israel, both culturally (e.g., Aramaic language) and politically (often as adversaries or allies). This genealogical record underscores the divine ordering of human history and the origins of nations that would subsequently play roles in God's covenantal unfolding.

Genesis 10 23 Word analysis

• The sons of (בְּנֵי֙ bə-nê):

  • Hebrew construct form, "sons of," indicating a direct lineal relationship.
  • Highlights male offspring specifically chosen to carry the patriarchal line.
  • Emphasizes family and clan formation as the basis for national identity in this historical account.

• Aram (אֲרָֽם ’ă-rā-m):

  • Means "Highland" or "Elevated."
  • A fifth son of Shem (Gen 10:22; 1 Chr 1:17).
  • Ancestor of the Arameans, who inhabited regions including modern-day Syria and parts of Mesopotamia.
  • His name gives rise to the region (Aram/Syria) and the language (Aramaic), which became widely spoken and used in portions of later biblical texts.

• Uz (עוּץ ‘ūṣ):

  • Can mean "Counsel" or "Wooded."
  • Listed here as a son of Aram, suggesting an early Aramean tribal branch.
  • A prominent name also associated with a region, the "land of Uz" (Job 1:1; Jer 25:20; Lam 4:21), famous as the dwelling place of Job, and sometimes associated with Edom. This may indicate various peoples or regions bearing the same or similar names across the Near East.
  • Its precise location relating to Arameans is generally seen northeast of Israel, extending towards Mesopotamia.

• Hul (חוּל ḥūl):

  • Meaning "Pain" or "Sandy Place" (possibly associated with desert regions).
  • A less prominent name in subsequent biblical history beyond this genealogy.
  • Likely represents a distinct, early Aramean clan or tribal group, whose influence may have been localized or became absorbed.

• Gether (גֶּ֫תֶר ge-ṯer):

  • Meaning "Winepress" or "Enclosure."
  • Similar to Hul, this name does not reappear elsewhere in the biblical narrative with significant historical or geographical reference.
  • Denotes another distinct sub-group within the early Aramean expansion.

• Mash (מָֽשׁ māš):

  • Meaning "Draw out" or "Attract."
  • Another name specific to this list of Aram's direct descendants.
  • It, too, suggests an original clan or tribal unit that emerged from Aram, likely settling in the broader Aramean territories.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The sons of Aram:" This phrase sets the immediate focus on the direct, paternal line of Aram, separating this specific branch from other Shemite descendants. It highlights the formation of a distinct ethno-linguistic group through direct descent.
• "Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash." This precise enumeration signifies the foundational heads of distinct clans or tribal groupings that together constitute the nascent Aramean people. This structure allows for a comprehensive, divinely sanctioned account of how nations emerged and dispersed across the earth after the Flood. While some names become prominent (like Uz), the inclusion of all four underscores the thoroughness of the biblical record in documenting the beginnings of global population.

Genesis 10 23 Bonus section

• Geographical Implication: The names Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash are generally understood by scholars to point towards settlements in northern Mesopotamia or Syria, outlining the earliest known regions of Aramean inhabitation. This is crucial for tracing early migration patterns and the geographical distribution of Noah's descendants.
• Significance for New Testament: The "Table of Nations" overall (including this verse) forms the essential historical backdrop for the New Testament's proclamation of the Gospel to "all nations" (Matt 28:19; Acts 1:8). Since all humanity descends from a common ancestor, the universality of sin (Rom 3:23) and the universality of salvation in Christ are affirmed, offering redemption not just to one people, but to descendants of every listed nation.
• Completeness of God's Word: The inclusion of less known or seemingly insignificant names like Hul, Gether, and Mash, alongside Uz, reinforces the meticulous and comprehensive nature of God's revealed Word. Every detail contributes to the overarching historical and theological narrative, testifying to the accuracy and scope of divine revelation regarding the world's origins.

Genesis 10 23 Commentary

Genesis 10:23 concisely continues the monumental "Table of Nations," tracing the line of Shem through his son Aram. This brief verse details the four foundational groups (Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash) that constituted the initial expansion of the Aramean people. While many names in Chapter 10 do not reappear, they collectively establish a complete record of humanity's dispersion, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His command for humanity to "fill the earth." The Arameans, descended from Aram, would later become culturally, linguistically (Aramaic became a regional lingua franca), and politically significant, often interacting with Israel. This verse lays the essential ethnographic and genealogical bedrock for understanding the future tapestry of biblical history, grounding all nations in a single human lineage from Noah, distinct from the mythological origins found in other ancient Near Eastern cultures.