Overview of Genesis 10

Says This is the account of Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, to whom sons were born after the flood (10:1; Hebrew toledot, generations, and a passive verb, and sons were born to them). Japheth’s sons are named, and from these the coastlands of the nations were separated by lands, languages, clans and nations (10:2–5; the BSB has maritime peoples). Ham’s sons are Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan; Cush fathered Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord, whose kingdom began at Babel in Shinar (10:6–14). Canaan’s sons and borders are given, and his clans were scattered (10:15–20). Sons were born to Shem, father of all the sons of Eber; Peleg is named because in his days the earth was divided; Joktan’s sons follow (10:21–31). From these clans the nations were separated on the earth after the flood (10:32; the BSB has spread out).

Implies All the nations named here come from Noah’s one family, carrying out the blessing to fill the earth (9:1) and the notice that the earth was peopled from these three (9:19). The list is selective and leads to Shem, Eber and, in chapter 11, Abram. Israel’s neighbors, Canaan and Egypt among them, stand among the nations before Israel exists. The persons and peoples are real.

Uncertain The genre and count, the principle of arrangement, Nimrod, the relation to Babel, Peleg’s name, the doubled names, identifications, sources, Kainam, and the sense of the elder in 10:21 are taken up below; no lean is taken here.