Genesis 11:10
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The genealogical record shifts to Shem's line, beginning with his sons after the flood.
Context
After the account of Babel's confusion, the narrative transitions to genealogy. 'These are the generations of Shem' introduces a formal ancestral line. Shem is noted as 100 years old when he became the father of Arphaxad, with the explicit reference 'two years after the flood.' This genealogy continues the line of humanity's righteous remnant beyond the catastrophic judgment.
What Does Genesis 11:10 Mean?
After the account of Babel's confusion, the narrative transitions to genealogy. 'These are the generations of Shem' introduces a formal ancestral line. Shem is noted as 100 years old when he became the father of Arphaxad, with the explicit reference 'two years after the flood.' This genealogy continues the line of humanity's righteous remnant beyond the catastrophic judgment.
The genealogical formula marks a shift from narrative (what happened) to chronology and family structure. Recording ages and descendants establishes continuity through time. The reference 'two years after the flood' anchors this genealogy in the aftermath of the previous judgment and shows humanity's survival and continued blessing.