Devine Scripture

Genesis 10:30

What does Genesis 10:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 10:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 10:30 means

This verse describes the dwelling place of Joktan's descendants, stating it was "from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east." This geographical indication provides a general location for these Arabian tribes, pinpointing their settlement in specific regions of the Near East. This detail helps to orient the reader, illustrating the physical dispersion of Shem's family and the territorial claims of various groups. It completes the picture of Joktan's progeny.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And their country was from Mesha, in the direction of Sephar, the mountain of the east.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and their dwelling is from Mesha, <FI>in<Fi> thy coming towards Sephar, a mount of the east.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And their dwelling was from Messa as we go on as far as Sephar, a mountain in the east.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And their dwelling was from Mesha, as one goes to Sephar, the eastern mountain.

Context

Following the exhaustive list of Joktan's sons, this verse provides a geographical summary of where these descendants settled. This offers a sense of the physical territory occupied by this branch of Shem's family. It mirrors the earlier summary statements for Japheth and Ham, providing a complete picture before the final summary of Shem's descendants.

v.29and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.

v.30This passage

v.31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 23:7

    And he took up his parable, and said, From Aram hath Balak brought me, The king of Moab from the mountains of the East: Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel.

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