Genesis 10:2
What does Genesis 10:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 10:2 means
This verse begins the listing of Japheth's seven sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. These names represent the foundational ancestors of various peoples who settled primarily in the northern and western regions relative to ancient Israel. This genealogy demonstrates the initial expansion from Noah's family, illustrating the immediate post-Flood diversification of humanity. It provides the literal roots for nations that would appear in later biblical narratives and historical records, fulfilling the divine command to 'be fruitful and multiply' after the Flood.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The sons of Japheth: Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Sons of Japheth <FI>are<Fi> Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Thubal, and Mosoch, and Thiras.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
Context
Following the introductory verse, this verse immediately dives into the first of the three genealogical lines, starting with Japheth. It provides the direct descendants who will populate distant lands, establishing the pattern for the subsequent lists of Ham and Shem's offspring. Understanding these specific names helps to trace the geographical and ethnic dispersion of humanity as described in the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 27:12
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for thy wares.
- Ezekiel 38:6
Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with thee.
- Ezekiel 38:15
And thou shalt come from thy place out of the uttermost parts of the north, thou, and many peoples with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army;
- Isaiah 66:19
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
- Ezekiel 27:7
Of fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was thy sail, that it might be to thee for an ensign; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was thine awning.
- Ezekiel 27:19
Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise.
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