Shem, Eber, and Joktan’s line

Says Sons were also born to Shem, 'akhi yefet haggadol; he is father of all the sons of Eber (10:21; the BSB has the older brother of Japheth and forefather). His sons are Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram (10:22). The printed wording of 10:24 is the Masoretic Text, confidence medium: Arphaxad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. Swete adds Kainam between Arphaxad and Sala. Joktan’s thirteen sons and their dwelling, from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east, close the line (10:26–30; the BSB has the eastern hill country). Verse 31 repeats the four-part formula.

Implies Shem is named as father of all the sons of Eber before his own sons are listed, and Eber’s line is followed in two branches. The list is selective and leads to Shem, Eber and, in chapter 11, Abram.

Uncertain The Hebrew of 10:21 may mean “the older brother of Japheth” or “the brother of Japheth the elder.” Swete’s τοῦ μείζονος agrees with Japheth. Kainam may be a Greek addition (Luke 3:36 names a Cainan), a name lost from the Hebrew (the Hebrew lacks it, and the Alexandrian manuscript was corrected at 10:22 and 10:24), or a name Luke took from the Greek he used, or evidence for it. No lean is taken on originality. Lud under both Ham and Shem, and Elam’s place among Shem’s sons, remain open. No lean is taken.