Genesis Chapter 10

The Generations of Noah

Introduction to Genesis Chapter 10

Genesis chapter 10 is commonly known as the Table of Nations because it records the descendants of Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—after the Flood. Rather than being merely a genealogy, this chapter reveals how God fulfilled His command for humanity to multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 9:1). It traces the origin of the world's earliest nations, peoples, languages, and territories, demonstrating that every nation ultimately shares a common ancestry through Noah.

Genesis 10 also emphasizes God's sovereignty over history. As families grew into tribes, kingdoms, and nations, God was already directing the unfolding of His redemptive plan. From these seventy traditional nations, the biblical story moves toward God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, through whom "all the families of the earth" would be blessed.

Within the chapter, special attention is given to Nimrod, whose kingdom laid the foundation for the events of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Thus, Genesis 10 serves as a bridge between the Flood narrative and the call of Abraham, showing both the spread of humanity across the earth and the beginning of the nations that would shape biblical history.

Genesis 10 reminds believers that all humanity descends from one family created in the image of God. Although nations would later become divided by language and geography, God's ultimate purpose has always been to gather people from every nation into His kingdom through His covenant and His promise of redemption.

Genesis 10:1

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

Genesis 10:2

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

Genesis 10:3

And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

Genesis 10:4

And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. {Dodanim: or, as some read it, Rodanim}

Genesis 10:5

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Genesis 10:6

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

Genesis 10:7

And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

Genesis 10:8

And Cush begat Nimrod (rebel) : he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

Genesis 10:9

He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

Genesis 10:10

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. {Babel: Gr. Babylon}

Genesis 10:11

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, {went...: or, he went out into Assyria} {the city...: or, the streets of the city}

Genesis 10:12

And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.

Genesis 10:13

And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,

Genesis 10:14

And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.

Genesis 10:15

And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth, {Sidon: Heb. Tzidon}

Genesis 10:16

And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,

Genesis 10:17

And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,

Genesis 10:18

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. {Gaza: Heb. Azzah}

Genesis 10:20

These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

Genesis 10:21

Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Genesis 10:22

The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. {Arphaxad: Heb. Arpachshad}

Genesis 10:23

And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.

Genesis 10:24

And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. {Salah: Heb. Shelah}

Genesis 10:25

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. {Peleg: that is Division}

Genesis 10:26

And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,

Genesis 10:27

And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,

Genesis 10:28

And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,

Genesis 10:29

And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.

Genesis 10:30

And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.

Genesis 10:31

These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

Genesis 10:32

These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

(KJV)