Bible Strands
Genesis 10:22
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text functions as a genealogical entry in the Table of Nations, recording Shem’s descendants immediately after the account of Ham’s sons and before the list of Aram’s descendants.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בְּנֵי שֵׁם (benei Shem) literally means “sons of Shem,” followed by a direct list of five names: עֵילָם (Elam), אַשּׁוּר (Asshur), אַרְפַּכְשַׁד (Arphaxad), לֻד (Lud), and אֲרָם (Aram).
The thread — Genesis 14:1 later identifies Chedorlaomer as king of Elam, Isaiah 66:19 lists Lud among distant nations to receive a divine sign, and Genesis 9:26 establishes the theological context by having Noah bless the LORD, the God of Shem.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to trace historical lineages before drawing theological conclusions about covenant inheritance or national identity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 66:19 I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.
- Genesis 9:26 He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem.
- Genesis 14:1 In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim
- Numbers 23:7 And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
- 2 Kings 15:19 Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom.
- 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
- Job 1:17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
- Isaiah 11:11 On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
- Isaiah 21:2 A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”
- Isaiah 22:6 Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.