Genesis 6 10

Genesis 6:10 kjv

And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6:10 nkjv

And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6:10 niv

Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Genesis 6:10 esv

And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6:10 nlt

Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 10 Meaning

Genesis 6:10 serves as a pivotal statement introducing Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who are foundational for the continuation and re-population of humanity after the coming Great Flood. This verse highlights the family through whom God's plan for humanity's future would unfold, despite the widespread corruption preceding the flood. It signals the beginning of a new chapter in biblical history, marked by divine preservation and a new genesis for the world through Noah's lineage.

Genesis 6 10 Context

Genesis 6:10 is embedded within the critical narrative preceding the Great Flood. The preceding verses (Gen 6:1-7) detail the widespread wickedness and corruption of humanity, leading to God's sorrow and decision to destroy all life on earth. Immediately prior to verse 10, Noah is singled out as a righteous man who "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen 6:8-9). This verse thus marks a transition from a world doomed by depravity to the specific lineage chosen for divine preservation. It sets the stage for the unfolding flood narrative and the re-establishment of humanity through Noah's family, anticipating the "Table of Nations" in Genesis 10 that outlines the ancestry of all peoples. Historically and culturally, patriarchal lineage was paramount in ancient Near Eastern societies, as it determined identity, inheritance, and the future of tribes and nations. The mention of Noah's sons is a direct answer to the threat of humanity's utter obliteration due to corruption, showcasing God's commitment to His original creative and redemptive purposes. It stands in subtle polemic to fertility cults prevalent in surrounding cultures by emphasizing that divinely ordained and preserved family lines, rather than chaotic procreation, are the means through which God fulfills His will.

Genesis 6 10 Word analysis

• And Noah: Introduces the central figure chosen by God. It signifies a divine shift of focus onto the individual and his household amidst global judgment, emphasizing God's selective grace.
• begot: From the Hebrew word יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth to," "to bring forth," or "to beget." This term underscores divine blessing and providence. In a context where humanity faced destruction, the act of begetting children implies continuation and hope, rather than an end. It reinforces the creational mandate for mankind to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28), now sustained through Noah.
• three sons: Emphasizes the specific number and collective significance of the progenitors of all future humanity. This number foreshadows the subsequent diversity of nations descending from these three lines. It highlights a complete, divinely ordained group chosen for a specific purpose.
• Shem: From the Hebrew שֵׁם (Shem), meaning "name" or "fame." His line would hold particular importance, ultimately leading to Abraham and through him, to Christ (Gen 11:10-26, Luke 3:36). This points to the future covenant with Abraham, associated with a great name and blessing for all families of the earth.
• Ham: From the Hebrew חָם (Cham), often linked to "hot" or "burnt" (possibly suggesting "swarthy" or "dark"). He is known for his later transgression against Noah, leading to a curse on his son Canaan (Gen 9:20-27). This anticipates the diverse moral trajectories of humanity even within the "saved" line.
• and Japheth: From the Hebrew יֶפֶת (Yephet), meaning "he will enlarge" or "open." The prophecy in Genesis 9:27 regarding his descendants dwelling in the tents of Shem and being enlarged suggests expansion and broader influence, often associated with the Indo-European peoples.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Noah begot three sons": This phrase encapsulates divine election and providential preservation. Despite the world's deep depravity, God ensures humanity's survival and continuity through a specific, righteous lineage. The act of "begetting" highlights that God works through natural processes within His divine plan, raising up a new stock from which the world will be replenished.
• "Shem, Ham, and Japheth": These three names represent the tripartite division of humanity after the flood, the ancestors of all known nations (Gen 10). Their naming signifies the established order and diversity God would bring forth from one family. Each son's future would carry specific blessings, curses, and geographical destinies, underscoring the sovereignty of God in human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Genesis 6 10 Bonus section

The mention of Noah's sons in this verse, while critical, leaves open the precise chronological order of their births. Genesis 5:32 states that "Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth." However, later references (Gen 7:6, 11:10) suggest that Shem was 100 years old "two years after the flood," implying he was not the firstborn (as the flood started when Noah was 600, so Shem would have been born when Noah was 502, making Japheth or Ham possibly older). This seemingly reversed order in presentation (Shem first) hints at a theological, rather than purely chronological, priority, foreshadowing Shem's central role in the lineage leading to Abraham and the promised Seed. This highlights that biblical genealogies often serve a thematic or redemptive purpose beyond mere historical record, emphasizing God's chosen line for His covenant.

Genesis 6 10 Commentary

Genesis 6:10 is far more than a simple genealogical statement; it is a foundational declaration of divine preservation and the seed of new life after imminent judgment. Amidst God's sorrow over humanity's deep corruption, this verse introduces the chosen vessel for salvation, Noah, through his offspring. The explicit naming of Shem, Ham, and Japheth highlights God's intentionality in preserving a specific family, from whom all subsequent peoples and nations would descend. This prepares the reader for the detailed "Table of Nations" in Genesis 10 and, critically, for the unique lineage of Shem, through whom the Abrahamic covenant and, ultimately, the Messiah would come. The verse underscores that even in the face of widespread spiritual death and physical destruction, God ensures the continuation of humanity and His redemptive purposes through a righteous remnant. It stands as a testament to God's grace and fidelity to His creative intent, demonstrating His power to establish new beginnings even from the ashes of widespread sin. This pattern—judgment, preservation of a remnant, and a new beginning—recurs throughout biblical history, ultimately pointing to salvation found only in Christ.