Devine Scripture

Genesis 10:4

What does Genesis 10:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 10:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 10:4 means

Here, the narrative specifies the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. These descendants are generally associated with maritime peoples and islands in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating an early spread of Japheth's lineage into seafaring cultures. This detail highlights the geographical reach of Noah's descendants and their diversification into various environments. The mention of these names provides an ancestral link to groups known in ancient history and further illustrates the rapid dispersion of humanity after the Flood.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the sons of Javan: Elishah and Tarshish, the Kittim and the Dodanim.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And sons of Javan <FI>are<Fi> Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the sons of Javan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cetthim and Dodanim.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

Context

This verse continues the Japhetic lineage, focusing on the descendants of Javan, another son of Japheth. It maintains the systematic listing of family lines, demonstrating how distinct groups emerged from specific patriarchs. This further fills out the 'Table of Nations' by showing the internal breakdown of Japheth's family before moving to a summary statement about their settlement.

v.3And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

v.4This passage

v.5Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 27:25

    The ships of Tarshish were thy caravans for thy merchandise: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the heart of the seas.

  • Numbers 24:24

    But shipsshall comefrom the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber; And he also shall come to destruction.

  • Isaiah 23:12

    And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon: arise, pass over to Kittim; even there shalt thou have no rest.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 23:1

    The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Kittim it is revealed to them.

  • Daniel 11:30

    For ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and shall return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and shall do his pleasure: he shall even return, and have regard unto them that forsake the holy covenant.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 10

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 10.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 10:4.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary