The Table of Nations: Shem’s Descendants
Genesis 10:21–32 (NASB95)
21Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of Japheth, children were born. 22The sons of Shem were Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram. 23The sons of Aram were Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash. 24Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 26Joktan became the father of Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah 27and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah 28and Obal and Abimael and Sheba 29and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan. 30Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31These are the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, according to their nations. 32These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.
Genesis 10:21-32 traces the descendants of Shem, one of Noah’s sons, highlighting his role as the ancestor of all the sons of Eber. Eber is the forefather of the Hebrews, marking Shem’s line as the one through which God’s covenant and promises will continue. Shem’s sons include Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram, with Aram’s sons further listed. This genealogy maps key peoples and regions of the ancient Near East, such as Elamites in southwestern Iran, Assyrians in northern Mesopotamia, and Arameans in Syria.
A significant detail appears in verse 25, where it says, “in his days the earth was divided.” This refers to Peleg, a descendant of Eber. The division points to the scattering of humanity and the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, which is narrated in the next chapter. This division explains the origin of different nations and languages, setting the stage for the unfolding story of human history after the flood.
Why do we care about Shem’s descendants? Moving into chapter 11, the narrative focus shifts dramatically. Instead of listing all the sons and nations, the story narrows to one family line. Arpachshad, Shem’s son, is the ancestor of Abram, later called Abraham. Up to this point, God has been working with humanity as a whole. Now, God chooses to work through one man. This marks a major biblical theme: God uses imperfect humans to carry out His redemptive purposes. It begins with Abraham, then continues through one family—Jacob’s—and one nation, Israel. This theme will develop throughout the rest of Genesis and the entire Bible.
Today, we need to remember that God’s redemptive work uses individuals and families. These individuals and families are imperfect but called by God into His plan. As we will see through the stories of the patriarchs, imperfect humans will make mistakes, even those called by God. We will see this idea develop starting with the next chapter.