Chapter 10
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Scripture
KJV1Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
2The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
4And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
5By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
6And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
7And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
8And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
9He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
10And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
11Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
12And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
13And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
14And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
15And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,
16And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
17And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
18And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
19And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
21Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
22The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
23And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
24And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
25And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
26And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
27And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
28And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
29And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
30And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
32These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
“These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”
Overview
Known as the Table of Nations, Genesis 10 traces the descendants of Noah's three sons — Japheth, Ham, and Shem — as they spread across the earth after the flood. The chapter identifies the founders of various nations and peoples, showing how the families of the earth multiplied and dispersed. Notable figures include Nimrod, a mighty hunter and founder of Babel and Nineveh, from Ham's line. The genealogy provides the historical backdrop for the events of Babel in chapter 11.
Key Themes
The Unity of the Human Race
All nations and ethnic groups descend from one family through Noah, establishing the biblical principle that every human being shares a common origin and dignity.
The Spread of Nations by Divine Design
The dispersion of peoples across the earth fulfills God's command to fill the earth and sets the stage for His plan to bless all nations through Abraham.
Nimrod and the Rise of Empires
Nimrod's kingdom — including Babel — represents the first organized human power opposing God, foreshadowing the pattern of empires that resist God's purposes throughout Scripture.
Study Questions
Why does Scripture include this detailed genealogy, and what does it teach about God's interest in all nations?
How does the Table of Nations connect to God's later promise to Abraham that 'in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed' (Genesis 12:3)?
What is significant about Nimrod being described as 'a mighty hunter before the LORD' (v. 9), and what does his kingdom represent?
How does knowing that all humanity descends from one family affect our understanding of racial and ethnic differences?
In what ways does this chapter set the historical stage for the tower of Babel incident that follows?
Connection to Christ
The Table of Nations shows that God's plan of redemption is not for one people alone but for all nations descended from Noah. This global scope anticipates the Great Commission and the vision of Revelation 7:9, where people from every nation stand before the Lamb. Christ came to reunite what was scattered and to bless every family on earth.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Genesis 10. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?