Genesischapter 10

32 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 204 cross-references outward and receives 241 — heaviest partner: Genesis.

Chapter summary

The table of nations. Seventy peoples descend from the three sons of Noah — Japheth's maritime fringe, Ham's southern kingdoms (including Nimrod's tower-builder empire), Shem's central east. The chapter is not merely geography; it is the covenantal setting for the call of Abram that is coming. Henry notes that every human being alive traces through this table; Calvin emphasises the unity of the human race. Nimrod is named twice — ‘a mighty hunter before the LORD’ — and the founding of Babel is flagged. The chapter sets up the Babel narrative as its theological interpretation.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Genesis overview for the book's full setting.

1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, namely, of 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 Of these were the isles of the nations 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 Put, and Canaan.

7 And the sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabteca; 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 Jehovah: wherefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah.