Devine Scripture

Genesis 10:1

What does Genesis 10:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 10:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 10:1 means

This verse introduces the central theme of the chapter: the generations of Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who were born after the Great Flood. This preface establishes the framework for understanding how humanity repopulated the earth. It emphasizes the direct lineage from Noah as the origin of all subsequent nations, underscoring continuity from the post-Flood remnant. The naming of the three sons highlights their role as the patriarchs from whom all diverse peoples would descend, initiating the unfolding of God's plan for humanity's dispersion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: these are the sons which they had after the great flow of waters

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And these <FI>are<Fi> births of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and born to them are sons after the deluge.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These are the generations of the sons of Noe: Sem, Cham, and Japheth: and unto them sons were born after the flood.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And these are the generations of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and to them were sons born after the flood.

Context

This opening verse serves as the heading for the entire chapter, signaling a shift from the previous chapter's account of the Flood and Noah's covenant with God. It sets the stage for the detailed genealogies that follow, explaining how the world was repopulated. This framing is crucial for understanding the diversity of nations that will be meticulously cataloged, linking them all back to a single family.

v.1This passage

v.2The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 5:1

    This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

  • Genesis 9:7

    And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

  • Genesis 9:1

    And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

  • Matthew 1:1

    The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

  • Genesis 2:4

    These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven.

  • Genesis 9:19

    These three were the sons of Noah: and of these was the whole earth overspread.

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