Genesis 10:5
What does Genesis 10:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 10:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 10:5 means
This verse summarizes the settlement of Japheth's descendants, stating that they divided the "isles of the nations" in their lands, each according to their unique tongue, families, and nations. This signifies the spread of these peoples into distinct geographical regions, likely referring to coastal territories and islands. It also introduces the concept of linguistic and national distinctiveness, foreshadowing the later confusion of languages at Babel. This verse emphasizes the initial fulfillment of God's command to fill the earth, with each group establishing its own identity and territory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949From these came the nations of the sea-lands, with their different families and languages.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By these have the isles of the nations been parted in their lands, each by his tongue, by their families, in their nations.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By these were divided the islands of the Gentiles in their lands, every one according to his tongue and their families in their nations.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890From these came the distribution of the isles of the nations, according to their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Context
This verse concludes the section on Japheth's descendants, providing a general summary of their geographical and cultural dispersion. It acts as a transitional statement before the chapter moves to Ham's lineage, emphasizing the establishment of distinct nations and languages among this branch. Understanding this verse helps to frame the purpose of the preceding lists as showing the origins of diverse peoples.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 10:20
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, in their nations.
- Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
- Isaiah 40:15
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
- Zephaniah 2:11
Jehovah will be terrible unto them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the nations.
- Isaiah 41:5
The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.
- Isaiah 42:10
Sing unto Jehovah a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
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