Genesis 6:10

What does Genesis 6:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:10 means

This verse provides a simple but essential genealogical detail about Noah, identifying his three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These sons are significant because they, along with Noah and his wife, will be the sole survivors of the flood, representing the continuation of humanity. Their names establish the lineage through which all future nations will descend, making this a foundational statement for the post-flood world and the peopling of the earth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Noah begetteth three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he begot three sons, Sem, Cham, and Japheth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Context

This verse follows the description of Noah's righteous character, providing the immediate family unit who will share in his salvation. It establishes the key individuals who will be preserved through the coming judgment and become the progenitors of all future humanity, setting the familial structure for the ark and the world to come.

v.9These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, andperfect in his generations: Noah walked with God.

v.10This passage

v.11And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 5:32

    And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

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