This chapter is known as “The Table of Nations” and is unique in the annals of ancient history. The purpose of the chapter is given at the beginning in verse one and at the end in the last verse to explain how the earth was repopulated after the flood by the descendants of the three sons of Noah. There is a similar (but not identical) listing in 1 Chronicles 1.  I took a class in ancient history when I was in high school. Fortunately, the class was taught by a believer so we referred to the Bible often as we compared ancient writings to the information given to us by God in His Word.

Genealogies have sparked an increased interest in humans in the last few decades.  My mom began a study on her own of her family roots out of curiosity.  Be careful, it can be addicting! The more she discovered the more information she desired!  Now there are programs and aps such as Ancestry.com to do all the research for us.  If you are searching for a unique boy’s name, look no farther, this passage has many suggestions!  (Smiling)

We are all descendants of Adam and Eve; created in the image of God.  God preserved the original by saving Noah and his family.

Genesis 10

The Table of Nations

This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons, who themselves had sons after the flood.

The Japhethites

² The sons of Japheth:

Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.

³ The sons of Gomer:

Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah.

⁴ The sons of Javan:

Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites.⁵ (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.)

The Hamites

⁶ The sons of Ham:

Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

⁷ The sons of Cush:

Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteka.

The sons of Raamah:

Sheba and Dedan.

⁸ Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. ⁹ He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.” ¹⁰ The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar. ¹¹ From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah ¹² and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah—which is the great city.

¹³ Egypt was the father of

the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, ¹⁴ Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came) and Caphtorites.

¹⁵ Canaan was the father of

Sidon his firstborn,^[g] and of the Hittites, ¹⁶ Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, ¹⁷ Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, ¹⁸ Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites.

Later the Canaanite clans scattered ¹⁹ and the borders of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha.

²⁰ These are the sons of Ham by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations.

The Semites

²¹ Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

²² The sons of Shem:

Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.

²³ The sons of Aram:

Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

²⁴ Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,

and Shelah the father of Eber.

²⁵ Two sons were born to Eber:

One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

²⁶ Joktan was the father of

Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, ²⁷ Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, ²⁸ Obal, Abimael, Sheba, ²⁹ Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.

³⁰ The region where they lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

³¹ These are the sons of Shem by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations.

³² These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Why bother listing all the names, you might be asking?  God wants us to know: 

The list of names and places in chapter 10 carries with it some important theological truths, not the least of which is that Jehovah God is the Lord of the nations. God gave the nations their inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:8) and “determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).

Despite tryants Nimrod, Jehovah is the God of geography and of history; He is in control. What God promises, He performs, and Noah’s prophecy about his sons came true.

Despite external differences, all nations belong to the same human family. God made us all “from one man” (Acts 17:26), and no race or people can claim to be superior to any other race or people. While in His providence, God has permitted some nations to make greater progress economically and politically than other nations, their achievements don’t prove that they are better than others (Proverbs 22:2).

God has a purpose for the nations to fulfill. Genesis 9:24—11:32 makes it clear that God’s chosen nation was Israel.  Being with chapter 12; Israel will be center stage in the narrative. But God also used Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Media-Persia, and Rome to accomplish His purposes with reference to the Jewish people. God can use pagan rulers like Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Darius, and even Augustus Caesar to fulfill His Plan.  We must remember as we read, this is the story of God as He relates to mankind, made in His image.

God is concerned for all the nations. We read often through the Psalms, phrases like “all the earth” or “all nations.” Psalms 66:1–8 and 67:1–7 both express this unified vision that all the nations of the earth come to know God and serve Him. The church built on the foundation of Jesus Christ is commanded by Him to go into all the world—the teaching, as did Jesus, has already arrived in the story of God, tying the Old Testament with the New Testament!

“The listing is not a typical genealogy that gives only the names of descendants. The writer reminds us that these ancient peoples had their own clans and languages, territories and national identities. In other words, this is a genealogy, plus an atlas, plus a history book. We’re watching the movements of people and nations in the ancient world.” –Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Study Bible

Buckle your seat belts, the ride through Genesis has only just begun.  The list of characters has been given for “act one.”  The curtains will rise to reveal the continuing story of God that began with “In the beginning, God.”

Lord,

Thank you for reminding us with this list that you know our names and see us for who we are—made in your image!  It is not only names that describe real people but it declares the Truth of your existence as you relate to each one!  In your story, you describe your love, faithfulness, mercy, and grace that is unending!  You also give us the outline of your purpose for us that fits perfectly into your mission for all nations to know you. Thank you for so loving us so much that you included and provided salvation for all you call on Your Name, dear Jesus.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen