Genesis 10:22
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
The sons of Shem
This phrase introduces the lineage of Shem, one of Noah's three sons. In the Hebrew context, "Shem" means "name" or "renown," signifying the importance of his lineage. Shem is traditionally considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites. This lineage is crucial as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's covenantal promises, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ. The mention of "sons" emphasizes the continuation of God's plan through family lines, highlighting the importance of heritage and legacy in biblical history.

Elam
Elam is identified as one of the sons of Shem, and historically, Elam refers to an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran. The Elamites were known for their interactions with Mesopotamian cultures. In the biblical narrative, Elam represents one of the early post-flood civilizations, illustrating the spread of humanity and the diversity of nations that arose from Noah's descendants. The mention of Elam underscores the interconnectedness of ancient peoples and the unfolding of God's plan across different regions and cultures.

Asshur
Asshur is another son of Shem, and he is traditionally associated with the Assyrian people. The Assyrians became a dominant empire in the ancient Near East, known for their military prowess and significant influence on the history of Israel. The name "Asshur" is also linked to the city of Assur, the religious and political center of Assyria. This connection highlights the complex relationship between the Israelites and their neighboring nations, as well as the overarching theme of God's sovereignty over all nations.

Arphaxad
Arphaxad is a key figure in the genealogy of Shem, as he is an ancestor of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation. The name "Arphaxad" is somewhat enigmatic, but it is crucial in tracing the lineage that leads to the Hebrew people. This connection emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises through specific family lines, demonstrating His faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history.

Lud
Lud is another descendant of Shem, and he is often associated with the Lydians, an ancient people located in western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The mention of Lud reflects the geographical spread of Shem's descendants and the diversity of cultures that emerged from this lineage. It serves as a reminder of the vastness of God's creation and His involvement in the history of all peoples.

Aram
Aram is traditionally linked to the Arameans, a Semitic people who inhabited regions of modern-day Syria. The Arameans played a significant role in the history of Israel, often interacting with the Israelites through both conflict and cooperation. The mention of Aram highlights the interconnectedness of the biblical narrative, where the history of God's chosen people is intertwined with that of surrounding nations. It also points to the broader theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through various peoples and circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shem
The son of Noah, from whom the Semitic peoples are descended. Shem is considered the ancestor of the Israelites and other related groups.

2. Elam
A region and people located east of Mesopotamia, known for its ancient civilization and interactions with the Israelites.

3. Asshur
The progenitor of the Assyrians, a powerful empire in ancient Mesopotamia, often in conflict with Israel.

4. Arphaxad
Ancestor of the Chaldeans and a key figure in the genealogy leading to Abraham.

5. Lud
Traditionally associated with the Lydians, an ancient people of Asia Minor.

6. Aram
The ancestor of the Arameans, who lived in the region of modern-day Syria and had significant interactions with Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy
Understanding the genealogies in the Bible helps us see God's unfolding plan through history, leading to the coming of Christ.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The descendants of Shem became significant nations, showing God's control over the rise and fall of empires.

Unity in Diversity
Despite the diverse nations that arose from Shem, God's plan included all peoples, culminating in the Gospel reaching every nation.

Heritage and Identity
Recognizing our spiritual heritage in Christ can strengthen our identity and purpose as part of God's family.

Interconnectedness of Scripture
The genealogies connect various parts of the Bible, demonstrating the unity and coherence of God's Word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy of Shem in Genesis 10:22 connect to the broader account of the Bible, particularly the account of Abraham?

2. In what ways do the nations descended from Shem play a role in the history of Israel and God's redemptive plan?

3. How can understanding the historical and cultural background of these nations enhance our reading of the Old Testament?

4. What lessons can we learn from the rise and fall of the nations descended from Shem about God's sovereignty and human history?

5. How does the inclusion of diverse peoples in the genealogy of Shem reflect the New Testament teaching on the unity of all believers in Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 11
The genealogy of Shem is expanded, leading to Abraham, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to Noah.

Isaiah 11
The mention of Asshur and Elam in prophetic contexts highlights their roles in God's plan for Israel and the nations.

Acts 2
The presence of Elamites at Pentecost demonstrates the far-reaching impact of the descendants of Shem in the spread of the Gospel.
A Chapter of GenealogiesT. H. Leale.Genesis 10:1-32
Circumstances Attendant on ManT. Carlyle.Genesis 10:1-32
Gospel ArcheryDr. Talmage.Genesis 10:1-32
Ham's PosterityG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 10:1-32
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 10:1-32
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 10:1-32
NimrodG. Gilfillan.Genesis 10:1-32
Oneness of HumanityJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 10:1-32
The Characteristics of a NationProf. J. G. Murphy.Genesis 10:1-32
The Planting of Nations Great ResponsibilityBishop Samuel Wilberforce.Genesis 10:1-32
People
Abimael, Almodad, Amorites, Anamim, Anamites, Aram, Arkite, Arkites, Arphaxad, Arvadite, Ashkenaz, Ashur, Canaanites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Casluhim, Casluhites, Dedan, Diklah, Dodanim, Eber, Elam, Elishah, Gether, Girgashite, Girgashites, Girgasite, Gomer, Hadoram, Ham, Hamathite, Hamathites, Havilah, Hazarmaveth, Heth, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Hul, Japheth, Javan, Jerah, Jobab, Joktan, Kittim, Lehabim, Lehabites, Lud, Ludim, Ludites, Madai, Magog, Mash, Mesha, Meshech, Mizraim, Naphtuhim, Naphtuhites, Nimrod, Noah, Obal, Ophir, Pathrusim, Peleg, Phut, Riphath, Sabtah, Sabtecha, Sabtechah, Salah, Seba, Shelah, Sheleph, Shem, Sinite, Sinites, Tarshish, Tiras, Togarmah, Tubal, Uzal, Zemarite, Zemarites, Zidon
Places
Accad, Admah, Assyria, Babel, Calah, Calneh, Canaan, Erech, Gaza, Gerar, Gomorrah, Lasha, Mesha, Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Resen, Sephar, Shinar, Sidon, Sodom, Tigris-Euphrates Region, Zeboiim
Topics
Aram, Arpachshad, Arpach'shad, Arphaxad, Ashur, Asshur, Elam, Lud, Shem, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 10:1-32

     7230   genealogies

Library
Ancient Chaldaea
The Creation, the Deluge, the history of the gods--The country, its cities its inhabitants, its early dynasties. [Illustration: 002a.jpg] "In the time when nothing which was called heaven existed above, and when nothing below had as yet received the name of earth,* Apsu, the Ocean, who first was their father, and Chaos-Tiamat, who gave birth to them all, mingled their waters in one, reeds which were not united, rushes which bore no fruit."** Life germinated slowly in this inert mass, in which the
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
(Region of Tyre and Sidon.) ^A Matt. XV. 22-28; ^B Mark VII. 24-30. ^b And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it [Jesus sought concealment for the purposes noted in the last section. He also, no doubt, desired an opportunity to impact private instruction to the twelve]; and he could not be hid. [The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide, and he and his disciples were too well known to escape the notice of any who had seen them or heard them described.] 25 But { ^a 22 And} behold,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Sea of Sodom
The bounds of Judea, on both sides, are the sea; the western bound is the Mediterranean,--the eastern, the Dead sea, or the sea of Sodom. This the Jewish writers every where call, which you may not so properly interpret here, "the salt sea," as "the bituminous sea." In which sense word for word, "Sodom's salt," but properly "Sodom's bitumen," doth very frequently occur among them. The use of it was in the holy incense. They mingled 'bitumen,' 'the amber of Jordan,' and [an herb known to few], with
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: Importance of regarding each story as a unit] Of all the different groups of writings in the Old Testament, undoubtedly the early narratives found in the first seven books present the most perplexing problems. This is primarily due to the fact that they have been subject to a long process of editorial revision by which stories, some very old and others very late and written from a very different point of view, have been closely joined together. While there is a distinct aim and unity
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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