🔽 Click here to read the KJV 🔽
¹ Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
² The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
³ And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
⁴ And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
⁵ By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
⁶ And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
⁷ And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
⁸ And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
⁹ He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.
¹⁰ And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
¹¹ Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
¹² And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
¹³ And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
¹⁴ And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
¹⁵ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
¹⁶ And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
¹⁷ And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
¹⁸ And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
¹⁹ And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
²⁰ These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
²¹ Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
²² The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
²³ And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
²⁴ And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
²⁵ And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
²⁶ And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
²⁷ And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
²⁸ And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
²⁹ And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
³⁰ And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
³¹ These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
³² These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
🌍 The Nations Born of Noah: The Roots of Humanity Unfold 🌍
“These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.” – Genesis 10:1
Genesis 10, often called the Table of Nations, is a powerful genealogical chapter that outlines the descendants of Noah’s three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It is not just a list of names—it is the blueprint of the early dispersion of mankind after the Flood. These names represent the birth of nations, peoples, and languages, many of which shaped the ancient world and continue to influence our modern era.
This chapter builds a foundation for understanding God’s movement across the earth through generations. It’s not just historical—it’s prophetic. Through these lineages, we begin to see the fulfillment of God’s command in Genesis 9:1 to “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 10
Verses 1–5: The Descendants of Japheth – The Maritime Peoples
Japheth’s line includes Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. These sons are linked with the isles of the Gentiles—likely representing Europe and parts of Asia. The spreading of these descendants into “their lands; every one after his tongue” speaks to the early linguistic and cultural diversities that would later be addressed at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).
- Notable Nations:
- Gomer – Ancestor of the Cimmerians (linked to regions of Eastern Europe)
- Javan – Linked to the Greeks and maritime peoples
Key Insight: These nations became known for trade, exploration, and cultural exchange across seas. The blessings of Japheth’s expansion are reflected in Genesis 9:27.
Verses 6–20: The Descendants of Ham – The Builders of Civilizations
Ham’s sons—Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan—give rise to powerful ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Babylon, and the Canaanites. Among these, Nimrod (a descendant of Cush) stands out as a mighty hunter and the founder of major cities like Babel, Nineveh, and Calah. Nimrod’s ambition and legacy will connect directly to the rebellion at Babel in the next chapter.
- Notable People & Places:
- Nimrod – A powerful leader who established Babylon and Assyria (Genesis 10:9-12)
- Mizraim – The ancestor of the Egyptians
- Canaan – Ancestor of the Canaanites, whose land would later be promised to Israel
Key Insight: The sons of Ham populated regions known for their richness, idolatry, and later opposition to Israel. This genealogy foreshadows spiritual and historical conflicts.
Verses 21–31: The Descendants of Shem – The Line of Promise
Shem, the father of the children of Eber, is highlighted as the ancestor of Abraham and the Semitic peoples. His line includes Arphaxad, from whom would come Eber—the root of the word “Hebrew.”
- Notable People:
- Arphaxad – Links directly to Abraham through a detailed genealogy (Genesis 11)
- Eber – The name implies “beyond” or “to cross over,” hinting at the coming of a chosen people set apart
Key Insight: Shem’s line holds the messianic promise. Through these descendants, the covenant with Abraham and the birth of Israel unfolds.
Verse 32: Conclusion
“These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”
This final verse sums up the divine command fulfilled: the spreading of humanity into nations, according to God’s sovereign design.
💡 Key Themes
✨God’s Sovereign Design of Nations
This chapter demonstrates that the dispersion of peoples and the establishment of nations were not random but orchestrated by God. His hand guided the growth and placement of each group.
✨Generational Fulfillment of God’s Word
God told Noah and his sons to multiply and fill the earth. Genesis 10 is the record of that obedience and fulfillment, setting the scene for every human civilization to follow.
✨ The Rise of Nations and the Foreshadowing of Redemption
Among these names lies both the seed of rebellion (Nimrod and Babel) and the seed of promise (Shem to Abraham). God’s plan for redemption and judgment is woven through bloodlines.
👤 Key People
- Nimrod – A mighty leader and founder of Babel and Nineveh, linked with human pride and centralized rebellion.
- Shem – The chosen line through whom the Messiah will eventually come.
- Eber – Ancestor of the Hebrews, foreshadowing the calling of Abraham.
- Canaan – Forefather of a people later judged by God, reinforcing God’s justice and long-suffering.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 10 shows that no matter where we come from, all people are part of God’s story. It’s a map of God’s unfolding plan for redemption across every nation and generation.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- How do you see God’s divine hand in the spread of nations?
- What does the rise of Nimrod teach us about the dangers of prideful ambition?
- Are you aware of how your own spiritual lineage connects to God’s larger plan?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Genesis Chapter 11
Or, if you’d like to jump to a specific chapter in Genesis, simply click the chapter number below:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43| 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50