Genesis 10:7 kjv

And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

Genesis 10:7 nkjv

The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 10:7 niv

The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 10:7 esv

The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 10:7 nlt

The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 7 Meaning

Genesis 10:7 enumerates the first direct descendants of Cush, a son of Ham, and further details the offspring of one of Cush's sons, Raamah. This verse serves as a crucial segment of the "Table of Nations," which maps out the genealogical spread of humanity across various regions after the great Flood, identifying tribal and national groupings based on common ancestry. It establishes key lineage connections, linking powerful nations and influential trade centers of the ancient world back to Noah's family, affirming a singular origin for all mankind under God's sovereignty.

Genesis 10 7 Context

Genesis 10, often called the "Table of Nations," is a pivotal chapter outlining the rapid repopulation of the earth and the division of humanity into diverse families, clans, and nations after the global Flood. It acts as a bridge between the post-Flood era and the dispersion at Babel, presenting a genealogical and geographical overview of how descendants of Noah's three sons—Japheth, Ham, and Shem—spread across the world known to the ancient Hebrews. This verse (Gen 10:7) focuses specifically on the descendants of Cush, who is one of the four sons of Ham (Gen 10:6). Cush's lineage here points to specific geographic regions generally associated with the Horn of Africa, southern Arabia, and surrounding areas. This chapter not only serves as a historical record but also underlines the common origin of all humankind from one family, establishing a foundation for later biblical narratives and a theological argument against polygenism (multiple origins of humanity) and against the prevailing myths of ancient nations claiming unique divine ancestry for themselves.

Genesis 10 7 Word analysis

• And the sons of Cush: (וּבְנֵי כוּשׁ - ūvĕnēy Kûsh)

  • וּבְנֵי (ūvĕnēy): "And the sons of." The u (waw) functions as "and," linking this list of descendants to the preceding mention of Cush. Bney is the plural construct form of ben (בן), meaning "son." This common Hebrew construction introduces a new generation.
  • כוּשׁ (Kûsh): Refers to Cush. While sometimes associated with Ethiopia/Nubia (present-day Sudan), the lineage here, particularly Sheba and Dedan, points more broadly to a southern Arabian connection as well. The geographical and ethnic identity of "Cush" appears to have been vast and sometimes fluid in antiquity, spanning parts of Africa and Arabia. Its inclusion indicates an influential and widely recognized lineage.

• Seba: (סְבָא - Sebā’)

  • One of Cush's immediate sons. Often associated with a kingdom in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, sometimes considered a precursor to or contemporary of Sheba. Ancient inscriptions link the name with powerful southern Arabian tribes, renowned for trade in incense, gold, and precious stones (Psa 72:10, Isa 43:3, Isa 45:14).

• and Havilah: (וַחֲוִילָה - vachăwîlāh)

  • A significant place and possibly people. Notably, Havilah is mentioned elsewhere in connection with gold and the garden of Eden (Gen 2:11). This suggests two distinct geographical locations for "Havilah" in the biblical record – one near Eden, another associated with Cush's descendants. The latter points to regions in Arabia, emphasizing the spread of Cushite peoples into that peninsula.

• and Sabtah: (וְסַבְתָּה - vĕs̱abtâh)

  • A lesser-known Cushite descendant or tribe. Its precise geographical location is uncertain but is generally placed in southern Arabia or along the African coast, potentially near modern Eritrea or Somalia. Scholars connect it to regions that engaged in maritime trade routes of the ancient world.

• and Raamah: (וְרַעְמָה - vĕraʻmâh)

  • An important figure here as his sons are also listed. Raamah is consistently mentioned alongside other southern Arabian or African names. Like other Cushite names, it points towards influence in trade routes. This particular lineage (Raamah's sons) underscores a deeper level of detail provided for this branch of the family tree, signifying their prominence.

• and Sabteca; (וְסַבְתְּכָא - vĕs̱abtekā’)

  • Another name of uncertain precise location, likely in southern Arabia or near the Arabian/African Red Sea coast. Its presence completes the initial list of Cush's direct sons, outlining a network of early Cushite settlements.

• and the sons of Raamah: (וּבְנֵי רַעְמָה - ûvnēy Raʻmâh)

  • Indicates a sub-genealogy, showing the direct lineage continuing beyond the initial generation from Cush. This detailed extension is not given for all listed sons in the Table of Nations, suggesting the importance or prominence of Raamah's descendants, Sheba and Dedan.

• Sheba: (שְׁבָא - Shebā’)

  • Perhaps the most famous name in this verse. Sheba, distinct from Seba but often connected, is a renowned kingdom and people in ancient southwestern Arabia (modern Yemen), known for its vast wealth from trade, especially in spices, incense, gold, and precious stones (1 Kgs 10:1-10; Isa 60:6; Jer 6:20; Ezek 27:22-23; Matt 12:42). The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon highlights their power and knowledge. Its Cushite origin indicates the expansive reach of Cush's descendants.

• and Dedan. (וּדְדָן - ûdĕdān)

  • Often mentioned alongside Sheba (Ezek 27:22; 38:13). Dedan typically refers to a people or region located in northern Arabia, indicating another offshoot of the Cushite lineage, spreading geographically further north. They were known for trading and often acted as intermediaries between southern Arabia and the Levant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the sons of Cush: Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca": This primary listing establishes five direct male descendants of Cush. Their names broadly outline the early dispersal of the Cushite peoples. The recurrence of "and" (ve/waw) creates a rhythmic, sequential list, characteristic of ancient genealogies, marking clear distinctions between individuals. The placement of "Havilah" within this Arabian-leaning lineage is noteworthy given its mention in Gen 2.

• "and the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan": This second, nested listing provides further detail, specifically focusing on two highly prominent tribal/national groups (Sheba and Dedan). The fact that Raamah's lineage is singled out for further detail within Cush's overall genealogy implies the historical significance of these two groups. This nested structure within a genealogical list draws attention to their importance, foreshadowing their future appearance and roles in biblical history as significant nations and trading powers. Their specific mention illustrates the precise record-keeping concerning crucial trade routes and kingdoms linked to early post-Flood societies.

Genesis 10 7 Bonus section

• The placement of Havilah here (as a son of Cush) alongside other regions in southern Arabia and Africa is distinct from Havilah in Gen 2:11, suggesting that either the name was common for resource-rich areas, or Cush's descendants migrated to an area already bearing that name, or it describes a different, distinct Havilah entirely. This highlights potential geographical fluidity in early biblical records.
• The enumeration of Cush's lineage first, immediately after the listing of Ham's sons, underscores the rapid development and influence of the Cushite peoples in the ancient world, especially with the introduction of Nimrod immediately following this verse. This detail suggests a deliberate theological and historical emphasis on the rise of power structures and nation-building from this line.
• The Table of Nations subtly dismantles common ancient myths that various peoples originated independently or descended directly from gods. Instead, it offers a coherent, single origin for all humanity from Noah's family, implying universal accountability to the God of Abraham. This genealogical framework serves as an ancient historical refutation to prevalent origin myths among surrounding pagan cultures.

Genesis 10 7 Commentary

Genesis 10:7 provides a specific genealogical branch of the Cushites, tracing their initial spread and laying the groundwork for later historical and prophetic narratives. The individuals listed, particularly Sheba and Dedan, were not just names on a list; they represented prominent nations, kingdoms, and influential trading hubs of the ancient Near East and Arabian Peninsula. By meticulously detailing these connections, the inspired author validates the concept of a single human origin and highlights the geographic reach of Noah's descendants. The later prominence of places like Sheba (e.g., Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, its wealth mentioned in Isaiah and Ezekiel) roots them firmly in this early framework, confirming the foresight embedded in these genealogies. This verse, like the rest of the Table of Nations, serves as a divine geographic and ethnic map, demonstrating God's knowledge and plan for all peoples and showing that all human history is connected to His sovereign design from the beginning. It prefigures how people from these diverse, ancient groups would one day be gathered into the body of Christ.