בְּרֵאשִית Genesis Chapter 10

Hebrew genealogies often consolidate names and skip generations in order to create a numerical symmetry with the intention of conveying God’s meta-narrative rather than being scientifically precise in every detail.

Introduction:
 
We tend to want to skip over genealogies when reading through the Scriptures. It’s to our detriment that we fail to pause and ask, “What do these names mean? Why is God so concerned with listing the names of individuals?” There are of course a number of common responses to the latter question:
 
“God treasures the נֶפֶשׁ nefesh (self) of every human being”,
 
“God seems concerned to show us how our lives affect subsequent generations”,
 
“Nations are often listed as the progeny of certain patriarchs, thus showing the redemptive plan of God and His calling of individuals in each generation”,
 
“The listing of names is a solid proof of an historical document”, and so on.
 
These of course are all excellent parts of the whole answer.
 
However, we rarely take the time to consider each of the names in the genealogies and their Hebrew meanings. One wise rabbi has said, “We should not seek meaning in every name”, perhaps, however, If HaShem has ordered all things it stands to reason that all things have meaning. We would be better to say, as D’varim (Deut.) 29:29 does, that “The things that are hidden are unto God alone, and the things revealed are for you and your children…”
 
Each of the words and names of the Hebrew text possess a great depth of meaning, often conveying, at very least, a דְּרַשׁ d’rash (comparative teaching) or רֶמֶז‎ remez, a hint at a less obvious allegorical interpretation.
 
Therefore, in addition to the plain reading of the genealogy and the subsequent historical, spiritual meaning, we’re also able to dig a little deeper and glean a wider understanding of God’s design and His redemptive purpose for humanity.
 
There are those who have suggested that the continuity shown in the meanings of the names listed in Biblical genealogies, is proof of mythos, a literary device, a human author’s manipulation, an imagined history. But this is not the case. We know that God chose our names before we were born (Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:16). Why then in our attempt to reason away the beauty of God’s story, do we reduce to temporary myth that which is so clearly eternal design? Yes, the design of an author, whose name is HaShem. Is it because we’ve become so certain that nothing exists outside our limited ability to comprehend the Universe, or universes, if you’re under the modern scientific manifestation of esoteric multiverse, tacit occult? Like rocks at the bottom of a pond, we refuse to believe that the sky exists, despite the fact that the sun’s rays shine down through the water to touch us.
 
Throughout this Chapter we read the refrain, “after their languages”, “in their countries”, and “in their nations.” Which is an allusion to the coming events at בָּבֶל Bavel (Babel: Confusion)
 
This 10th chapter of Bereishit (Genesis) lists 70 names representing the origin of the nations of the world. This is the multiple of 7 and 10, both numbers signifying completion and perfection. This is why Biblical Judaism understands the number 70 as a symbolic representation of humanity as a whole. Subsequently, this number is used many times throughout the TaNaKH (OT), both as an affirmation of chosen, ethnic, religious, empirical Israel (Genesis 46:27; Exodus 1:5; Deut. 32:8) and as a reminder of God’s redemptive purpose for all nations.
 
It’s important to note that the variations in the corresponding 1 Chronicles 1 genealogy are due to the specific purpose of each of these genealogies. The present text is recording the progeny of the new אדם Adam, נועה Noach, in order to set the stage for the unification and subsequent division of the nations of the world. Whereas the 1 Chronicles 1 genealogy is making a connection between אדם Adam and the patriarch אַבְרָהָם Avraham.
 
Hebrew genealogies often consolidate names and skip generations in order to create a numerical symmetry with the intention of conveying God’s meta-narrative rather than being scientifically precise in every detail. The composite identity of Hebrew names, which allows a name to refer to both an individual and a nation, is characteristic of the TaNakh (OT) literary style and is particularly common in the book of בראשית Bereishit (Genesis).
 
The purpose of this study is not to attempt to draw a connection between these ancient names and their modern descendants but rather to understand how this genealogy prepares us both for the following chapter and for understanding the nature of Israel’s calling as it pertains to her being predestined to be God’s chosen people. Additionally, within each set of names we find a redemptive story which conveys God’s desire to see all come to salvation through His Son Yeshua HaMelekh HaMashiach.
 
The Text both literal (BOLD) and by name meaning (italics):
 
וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת בְּנֵי־נֹ֔חַ שֵׁ֖ם חָ֣ם וָיָ֑פֶת וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם בָּנִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל׃
 
Gen 10:1 Now these are the generations תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot of the בְּנֵי־נֹחַ sons of Noach (Comfort, rest),  שֵׁם Sheim (Name), חָם Cham (Hot), and  יָפֶת Yafet (open): and to them were sons born after the flood.
 
Gen 10:1 These are the generations of Comfort: Name, Hot, Open, and they had sons after the flood.
 
בְּנֵ֣י יֶ֔פֶת גֹּ֣מֶר וּמָג֔וֹג וּמָדַ֖י וְיָוָ֣ן וְתֻבָ֑ל וּמֶ֖שֶׁךְ וְתִירָֽס׃
 
Gen 10:2 The sons of יֶפֶת Yafet (open): גֹּמֶר Gomer (Complete, perfect), and מָגוֹג Magog (From Gog [Roof], From the heights, possibly present day Russia), and מָדַי Maday (What is enough? Middle land: Middle Asia), and יָוָן Yavan (Supple clay: Greece), and תֻבָל Tuval (Flowing forth: East Asia Minor), and מֶשֶׁךְ Meshech (A sowing, a possession, a special price), and תִירָס Tiyras (Desire).
 
Gen 10:2 The sons of Open: Complete and perfect, From the heights, what is enough? Supple clay flowing forth and sowing seed, a possession, a special price and desire.
 
וּבְנֵ֖י גֹּ֑מֶר אַשְׁכֲּנַ֥ז וְרִיפַ֖ת וְתֹגַרְמָֽה׃
 
Gen 10:3 And the sons of גֹּמֶר Gomer (Complete, perfect); אַשְׁכֲּנַז Ashkanaz (A man is sprinkled: fire is scattered), and רִיפַת Riyfat (Spoken), and תֹגַרְמָה Togarmah (Bone breaker).
 
Gen 10:3 And the sons of Complete and perfect: a man sprinkled, fire scattered, Spoken, and Bone breaker.
 
וּבְנֵ֥י יָוָ֖ן אֱלִישָׁ֣ה וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ כִּתִּ֖ים וְדֹדָנִֽים׃
 
Gen 10:4 And the sons of יָוָן Yavan (Supple clay: Greece); אֱלִישָׁה Eliyshah (My God is Salvation), and תַרְשִׁישׁ Tarshish (Border of six: Search for alabaster: Jasper), כִּתִּים Kittim (Beaters: Pulverisers), and דֹדָנִים Dodaniym (Leaders).
 
Gen 10:4 And the sons of supple clay: My God is Salvation and Search for alabaster, Pulverisers and Leaders.
 
מֵ֠אֵלֶּה נִפְרְד֞וּ אִיֵּ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙ בְּאַרְצֹתָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לִלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:5 By these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands; every one after his language, after their families, in their nations.
 
Gen 10:5 By these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands; every one after his language, after their families, in their nations.
 
This refrain provides a geographic, ethnic, political and linguistic criteria for differentiating between various people groups.
 
וּבְנֵ֖י חָ֑ם כּ֥וּשׁ וּמִצְרַ֖יִם וּפ֥וּט וּכְנָֽעַן׃
 
Gen 10:6 And the sons of חָם Cham (Hot); כּוּשׁ Cush (Black, Black Countenance, Full Of Darkness), and מִצְרַיִם Mitzrayim (Egyptians, Double distress, double stronghold), and פוּט Put (A bow), and כְנָעַן Kenaan (Lowland, Slave, Merchant, Servant).
 
Gen 10:6 And the sons of Hot: Black countenance, Full of darkness, and Double distress, and a bow, and a slave.
 
וּבְנֵ֣י כ֔וּשׁ סְבָא֙ וַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה וְסַבְתָּ֥ה וְרַעְמָ֖ה וְסַבְתְּכָ֑א וּבְנֵ֥י רַעְמָ֖ה שְׁבָ֥א וּדְדָֽן׃
 
Gen 10:7 And the sons of כּוּשׁ Cush (Black, Black Countenance, Full of Darkness); סְבָא Seba (He drank wine, Drunkard), and חֲוִילָה Havilah (Circle), and סַבְתָּה Savtah (Strike), and רַעְמָה Ra’mah (Horses mane), and סַבְתְּכָא Sabtecha (Striking): and the sons of רַעְמָה Ra’mah (Horses mane); שְׁבָא Sheba (Seven, Oath, Blessing), and דְדָן Dedan (Leaning forward: Low Country).
 
Gen 10:7 And the sons of Black countenance, Full of darkness: Drunkard and Circle, Strike, Horses mane, (Wiped in the face while riding into the wind) Striking: and the sons of Horses mane: Seven, Oath, Blessing and Leaning forward.
 
וְכ֖וּשׁ יָלַ֣ד אֶת־נִמְרֹ֑ד ה֣וּא הֵחֵ֔ל לִֽהְי֥וֹת גִּבֹּ֖ר בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
 
Gen 10:8 And כּוּשׁ Cush (Black, Black Countenance, Full Of Darkness) begat נִמְרֹד Nimrod (Rebellion): he began to profane, defile, pollute and desecrate הֵחֵ֔ל Heicheil in order to become a powerful (mighty) one in the earth בָּאָרֶץ ba-aretz.
 
Gen 10:8 And Black countenance, Full of darkness begat Rebellion: he began to profane, defile, pollute and desecrate in order to become a powerful one on the earth.
 
 הֽוּא־הָיָ֥ה גִבֹּֽר־צַ֖יִד לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֙ יֵֽאָמַ֔ר כְּנִמְרֹ֛ד גִּבּ֥וֹר צַ֖יִד לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃
 
Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the face/faces לִפְנֵ֣י l’fneiy of יהוה HaShem, Mercy (YHVH): wherefore it is said, “Like נִמְרֹד Nimrod (Rebellion) the mighty hunter before the face/faces לִפְנֵ֣י l’fneiy of יהוה HaShem.
 
Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the face of Mercy: wherefore it is said, “Like Rebellion the mighty hunter before the face of Mercy.”
 
Both the Rambam (Maimonides) and Radak (Rabbi David Kimchi) [12th Century CE] suggest that prior to Nimrod there were neither mass conflicts nor reigning monarchs. Nimrod is said to have subjugated the Babylonians until they crowned him, after which he invaded Assyria and built great cities.
 
The text calls Nimrod a, “Mighty hunter” which Rashi interprets figuratively, explaining that Nimrod captivated human beings with his words and incited them to rebel against God. Nimrod’s first conquest was that of Bavel, which later became the centre of the Babylonian empire. An empire that would in turn attack Jerusalem and take Israel captive. Thus the Midrashic interpretation which sees rebellion as the root of captivity.
 
 וַתְּהִ֨י רֵאשִׁ֤ית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֶ֖רֶךְ וְאַכַּ֣ד וְכַלְנֵ֑ה בְּאֶ֖רֶץ שִׁנְעָֽר׃
 
Gen 10:10 As a result, the beginning of his kingdom was בָּבֶ֔ל Bavel (Confusion), and אֶרֶךְ Erech (long), and אַכַּד Akad (subtle), and כַלְנֵה Calneh (Fortress of Anu [answering]), in the land of שִׁנְעָר Shinar (That which is young).
 
Gen 10:10 As a result, the beginning of his kingdom was Confusion, and long, and subtle, and Fortress of answering, in the land of that which is young.
 
מִן־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַהִ֖וא יָצָ֣א אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ אֶת־נִ֣ינְוֵ֔ה וְאֶת־רְחֹבֹ֥ת עִ֖יר וְאֶת־כָּֽלַח׃
 
Gen 10:11 From the earth that specific male הַהִוא ha-hoo went forth אַשּׁוּר Asshur (a step: Assyria), and built, established נִינְוֵ֔ה Niyn’veih (Abode of Ninus [an ancient king]), and the city רְחֹבֹת Rechovot (Wide open streets/place), and כָּֽלַח Calach (vigour),
 
Gen 10:11 From the earth that he went forth a step, and built, established a place for an ancient king, and the city of Wide open streets, and vigour,
 
 וְֽאֶת־רֶ֔סֶן בֵּ֥ין נִֽינְוֵ֖ה וּבֵ֣ין כָּ֑לַח הִ֖וא הָעִ֥יר הַגְּדֹלָֽה׃
 
Gen 10:12 And רֶסֶן Resen (Bridle) between נִינְוֵ֔ה Niyn’veih (Abode of Ninus [an ancient king]) and כָּֽלַח Calach (vigour): it is a city of anguish, and great.
 
Gen 10:12 And Bridle between the place of an ancient king and vigour: it is a city of anguish, and great.
 
וּמִצְרַ֡יִם יָלַ֞ד אֶת־לוּדִ֧ים וְאֶת־עֲנָמִ֛ים וְאֶת־לְהָבִ֖ים וְאֶת־נַפְתֻּחִֽים׃
 
Gen 10:13 And מִצְרַיִם Mitzrayim (Egyptians, Double distress, double stronghold) begat לוּדִים Ludiym (firebrands, travailing, descendants of Lud), and עֲנָמִים Anamim (Answer the waters), and לְהָבִים Lehaviym (flames, blades), and נַפְתֻּחִים Naftuchiym (Opening),
 
Gen 10:13 And Double distress, begat firebrands, travailing, descendants of strife, and Answer the waters, and flames, blades, and opening
 
 וְֽאֶת־פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים וְאֶת־כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצְא֥וּ מִשָּׁ֛ם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וְאֶת־כַּפְתֹּרִֽים׃
 
Gen 10:14 And פַּתְרֻסִים Patrusiym (Pathros [Upper Egypt], South lands. Wet lands), and כַּסְלֻחִים Casluhiym (fortified), (out of whom came פְּלִשׁתִי Pelishtiy [Immigrants, land of Sojourners]) and כַּפְתֹּרִים Caftoriym (Cup, crown).
 
Gen 10:14 And Wet lands, and fortified, out of whom came Immigrants, a land of Sojourners and Cup, crown.
 
וּכְנַ֗עַן יָלַ֛ד אֶת־צִידֹ֥ן בְּכֹר֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֵֽת׃
 
Gen 10:15 And כְנַעַן Kenaan (Lowland, Slave, Merchant, Servant) begat צִידֹן Tziydon (Hunting) his firstborn, and חֵת Cheit (Terror),
 
Gen 10:15 And Slave, Merchant, Servant begat Hunting his firstborn, and Terror,
 
 וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַגִּרְגָּשִֽׁי׃
 
Gen 10:16 And the יְבוּסִי Yevusiy (Jerusalem dweller: Rain of Peace), and הָאֱמֹרִי the Emoriy (Sayer), and the גִּרְגָּשִי Girgashiy (Dwelling on clay soil),
 
Gen 10:16 And the one dwelling in the Rain of Peace, and the Sayer/prophet, and the Dwelling on clay soil,
 
וְאֶת־הַֽחִוִּ֥י וְאֶת־הַֽעַרְקִ֖י וְאֶת־הַסִּינִֽי׃
 
Gen 10:17 And the חִוִּי Hiviy (villager), and the עַרְקִי Arkiy (gnawing), and the סִּינִי Siniy (thorn),
 
Gen 10:17 And the villager, and the gnawing, and the thorn, clay,
 
וְאֶת־הָֽאַרְוָדִ֥י וְאֶת־הַצְּמָרִ֖י וְאֶת־הַֽחֲמָתִ֑י וְאַחַ֣ר נָפֹ֔צוּ מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת וְאֶת־הָֽאַרְוָדִ֥י וְאֶת־הַצְּמָרִ֖י וְאֶת־הַֽחֲמָתִ֑י וְאַחַ֣ר נָפֹ֔צוּ מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִֽי׃
 
Gen 10:18 And the אַרְוָדִי Arvadiy (I will break loose), and the צְּמָרִי Tzemariy (Two cuttings off, woolly boys), and the חֲמָתִי Chamatiy (Fortress, water skin): and afterward were the families of the כְּנַעֲנִי Kenaaniy (Lowland, Slave, Merchant, and Servant) spread abroad.
 
Gen 10:18 And I will break loose, and Two cuttings off, woolly boys, and the Fortress, water skin: and afterward were the families of the Lowland, Slave, Merchant, Servant spread abroad.
 
 וַֽיְהִ֞י גְּב֤וּל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מִצִּידֹ֔ן בֹּאֲכָ֥ה גְרָ֖רָה עַד־עַזָּ֑ה בֹּאֲכָ֞ה סְדֹ֧מָה וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה וְאַדְמָ֥ה וּצְבֹיִ֖ם עַד־לָֽשַׁע׃
 
Gen 10:19 And the border of the כְּנַעֲנִי Kenaaniy (Lowland, Slave, Merchant, and Servant) was from צִּידֹן Tzidon (Hunting), as one reaches to גְרָרָה Gerarah (lodging place), unto עַזָּה Aza (Gaza, the strong); as you go, to סְדֹמָה Sedomah (Burning), and עֲמֹרָה Amorah (Submersion), and אַדְמָה Admah (Red earth), and צְבֹיִם Tzevyim (Gazelles), even unto לָֽשַׁע Lasha (Fissure).
 
Gen 10:19 And the border of Lowland, Slave, Merchant, Servant was from Hunting, as one reaches to lodging place, unto the strong; as you go, to Burning, and Submersion, and Red earth, and Gazelles, even unto Fissure.
 
אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵי־חָ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לִלְשֹֽׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:20 These are the sons of חָם Cham (Hot), after their families, after their languages, in their countries, and in their nations.
 
Gen 10:20 These are the sons of Hot, after their families, after their languages, in their countries, and in their nations.
 
וּלְשֵׁ֥ם יֻלַּ֖ד גַּם־ה֑וּא אֲבִי֙ כָּל־בְּנֵי־עֵ֔בֶר אֲחִ֖י יֶ֥פֶת הַגָּדֽוֹל׃
 
Gen 10:21 Unto שֵׁם Sheim (Name) children were born, also, he is the father of all the children of עֵבֶר Eiver (the region beyond), the brother of יֶפֶת Yefet (opened) the great, numerous.
 
Gen 10:21 Unto Name children were born, also, he is the father of all the children of the region beyond, the brother of opened the great, numerous.
 
The name, עֵבֶר “Eiver” is the root for the word, עברית “Evriyt” meaning, “Hebrew”. Avraham is, העברי “Ha-Evriy” meaning, “The Hebrew”. Both the language and the father of the Judeo-Christian faiths have an intrinsic connection to the redemptive message of God’s salvation (Yeshua).
 
בְּנֵ֥י שֵׁ֖ם עֵילָ֣ם וְאַשּׁ֑וּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד וְל֥וּד וַֽאֲרָֽם׃
 
Gen 10:22 The children of שֵׁם Sheim (Name); עֵילָם Eiylam (Eternity), and אַשּׁוּר Asshur (a step), and אַרְפַּכְשַׁד Arfachshad (light trickles from the breast), and לוּד Lud (strife), and אֲרָם Aram (exalted).
 
Gen 10:22 The children of Name; Eternity, and a step, and light trickles from the breast, and strife, and exalted.
 
וּבְנֵ֖י אֲרָ֑ם ע֥וּץ וְח֖וּל וְגֶ֥תֶר וָמַֽשׁ׃
 
Gen 10:23 And the children of אֲרָם Aram (exalted); עוּץ Utz (soft sand), and חוּל Chul (Circle), and גֶתֶר Geter (fear), and מַשׁ Mash (Drawn out).
 
Gen 10:23 And the children of exalted; soft sand, and Circle, and fear, and Drawn out.
 
וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד יָלַ֣ד אֶת־שָׁ֑לַח וְשֶׁ֖לַח יָלַ֥ד אֶת־עֵֽבֶר׃
 
Gen 10:24 And אַרְפַּכְשַׁד Arfachshad (light trickles from the breast) begat שָׁלַח Shalach (Sprout, go forth); and שָׁלַח Shalach (Sprout, go forth) begat עֵבֶר Eiver (The region beyond).
 
Gen 10:24 And light trickles from the breast begat Sprout, go forth; and Sprout, go forth begat The region beyond.
 
וּלְעֵ֥בֶר יֻלַּ֖ד שְׁנֵ֣י בָנִ֑ים שֵׁ֣ם הָֽאֶחָ֞ד פֶּ֗לֶג כִּ֤י בְיָמָיו֙ נִפְלְגָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יָקְטָֽן׃
 
Gen 10:25 And unto עֵבֶר Eiver (The region beyond) were born two sons: the name of one was פֶּלֶג Peleg (division); for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was יָקְטָן Yoktan (smallness).
 
Gen 10:25 And unto The region beyond were born two sons: the name of one was division; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was smallness.
 
וְיָקְטָ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת־אַלְמוֹדָ֖ד וְאֶת־שָׁ֑לֶף וְאֶת־חֲצַרְמָ֖וֶת וְאֶת־יָֽרַח׃
 
Gen 10:26 And יָקְטָן Yoktan (smallness) begat אַלְמוֹדָד Almodad (not measured), and שָׁלֶף Shalef (drawing forth), and חֲצַרְמָוֶת Chatzarmavet (village of death), and יָרַח Yerach (New moon),
 
Gen 10:26 And smallness begat not measured, and drawing forth, and village of death, and New moon,
 
וְאֶת־הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת־אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת־דִּקְלָֽה׃
 
Gen 10:27 And הֲדוֹרָם Hadoram (The noble honour), and אוּזָל Uzal (shall be flooded), and דִּקְלָה Diklah (Palm grove),
 
Gen 10:27 And The noble honour, and shall be flooded, and Palm grove,
 
וְאֶת־עוֹבָ֥ל וְאֶת־אֲבִֽימָאֵ֖ל וְאֶת־שְׁבָֽא׃
 
Gen 10:28 And עוֹבָל Oval (Stripped bare), and אֲבִימָאֵל Aviymaeil (My Father is God), and שְׁבָא Sheva (Seven, oath, blessing),
 
Gen 10:28 And Stripped bare, and My Father is God, and Seven, oath, blessing,
 
וְאֶת־אוֹפִ֥ר וְאֶת־חֲוִילָ֖ה וְאֶת־יוֹבָ֑ב כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י יָקְטָֽן׃
 
Gen 10:29 And אוֹפִר Ofir (Abundance), and חֲוִילָה Chavilah (Circle), and יוֹבָב Yovav (Desert): all these were the sons of יָקְטָן Yoktan (smallness).
 
Gen 10:29 And Abundance, and Circle, and Desert: all these were the sons of smallness.
 
 וַֽיְהִ֥י מוֹשָׁבָ֖ם מִמֵּשָׁ֑א בֹּאֲכָ֥ה סְפָ֖רָה הַ֥ר הַקֶּֽדֶם׃
 
Gen 10:30 And their dwelling was from מֵּשָׁא Mesha (freedom), as you go unto סְפָרָה Sepharah (A numbering, census) a mountain forward (of the east).
 
Gen 10:30 And their dwelling was from freedom, as you go unto A numbering, census a mountain forward.
 
אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵי־שֵׁ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לִלְשֹׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם לְגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:31 These are the sons of שֵׁם Sheim (Name), after their families, after their languages, in their lands, after their nations.
 
Gen 10:31 These are the sons of Name, after their families, after their languages, in their lands, after their nations.
 
אֵ֣לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֧ת בְּנֵי־נֹ֛חַ לְתוֹלְדֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶ֑ם וּמֵאֵ֜לֶּה נִפְרְד֧וּ הַגּוֹיִ֛ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל׃
 
Gen 10:32 These are the families of the sons of נֹחַ Noach (Comfort, rest), after their generations תוֹלְדֹתָם Toldot, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
 
Gen 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Comfort, rest, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
 
A Paraphrase of Genesis 10: Using the Meanings of the Genealogical Names
 
The following paraphrase should be treated as a רֶמֶז‎ remez (hint) based allegory which uses the פְּשָׁט‎ p’shat (plain) meaning of the Hebrew names to generate a דְּרַשׁ d’rash (comparative teaching) or מָשָׁל mashal (parable, proverb, teaching story) and nothing more. I am in no way suggesting that this is the פְּשָׁט p’shat (plain) meaning of the text, which is a historical, literal genealogy of post flood humanity.
 
I’ve represented the meanings of the Hebrew names to the best of my understanding and where the names have multiple meanings I’ve chosen the meaning that I believe best fits the present text in light of the metanarrative of the Biblical Canon.
 
Genesis 10: Paraphrase of Names
 
 וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת בְּנֵי־נֹ֔חַ שֵׁ֖ם חָ֣ם וָיָ֑פֶת וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם בָּנִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל׃
 
Gen 10:1 This is the story of the comfort of the Name, in the midst of searing heat, in the open after a great immersion.
 
The Sons of Openness (Yafet) [Forebears of The Redeemed]
 
בְּנֵ֣י יֶ֔פֶת גֹּ֣מֶר וּמָג֔וֹג וּמָדַ֖י וְיָוָ֣ן וְתֻבָ֑ל וּמֶ֖שֶׁךְ וְתִירָֽס׃
וּבְנֵ֖י גֹּ֑מֶר אַשְׁכֲּנַ֥ז וְרִיפַ֖ת וְתֹגַרְמָֽה׃
וּבְנֵ֥י יָוָ֖ן אֱלִישָׁ֣ה וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ כִּתִּ֖ים וְדֹדָנִֽים׃
 מֵ֠אֵלֶּה נִפְרְד֞וּ אִיֵּ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙ בְּאַרְצֹתָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לִלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:2 Openness gave birth to complete perfection from the heights, isn’t this enough? The supple clay (of humanity) flowed forth and sowing seed took possession for a special price and desire. Gen 10:3 And the sons of complete perfection: men sprinkled with scattered fire spoke against the bone breaker. Gen 10:4 And the sons of supple clay (of humanity) called out, “My God is salvation” in their search for purity, among destroyers. Gen 10:5 By these were the countries of the world divided in their lands; every one after his language, after their families, in their nations.
 
The Sons of Heat (Cham) [Forebears of The Disobedient]
 
 וּבְנֵ֖י חָ֑ם כּ֥וּשׁ וּמִצְרַ֖יִם וּפ֥וּט וּכְנָֽעַן׃
 וּבְנֵ֣י כ֔וּשׁ סְבָא֙ וַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה וְסַבְתָּ֥ה וְרַעְמָ֖ה וְסַבְתְּכָ֑א וּבְנֵ֥י רַעְמָ֖ה שְׁבָ֥א וּדְדָֽן׃
 וְכ֖וּשׁ יָלַ֣ד אֶת־נִמְרֹ֑ד ה֣וּא הֵחֵ֔ל לִֽהְי֥וֹת גִּבֹּ֖ר בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
 הֽוּא־הָיָ֥ה גִבֹּֽר־צַ֖יִד לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֙ יֵֽאָמַ֔ר כְּנִמְרֹ֛ד גִּבּ֥וֹר צַ֖יִד לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃
 וַתְּהִ֨י רֵאשִׁ֤ית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֶ֖רֶךְ וְאַכַּ֣ד וְכַלְנֵ֑ה בְּאֶ֖רֶץ שִׁנְעָֽר׃
 מִן־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַהִ֖וא יָצָ֣א אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ אֶת־נִ֣ינְוֵ֔ה וְאֶת־רְחֹבֹ֥ת עִ֖יר וְאֶת־כָּֽלַח׃
 וְֽאֶת־רֶ֔סֶן בֵּ֥ין נִֽינְוֵ֖ה וּבֵ֣ין כָּ֑לַח הִ֖וא הָעִ֥יר הַגְּדֹלָֽה׃
 וּמִצְרַ֡יִם יָלַ֞ד אֶת־לוּדִ֧ים וְאֶת־עֲנָמִ֛ים וְאֶת־לְהָבִ֖ים וְאֶת־נַפְתֻּחִֽים׃
 וְֽאֶת־פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים וְאֶת־כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצְא֥וּ מִשָּׁ֛ם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וְאֶת־כַּפְתֹּרִֽים׃
 וּכְנַ֗עַן יָלַ֛ד אֶת־צִידֹ֥ן בְּכֹר֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֵֽת׃
 וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַגִּרְגָּשִֽׁי׃
 וְאֶת־הַֽחִוִּ֥י וְאֶת־הַֽעַרְקִ֖י וְאֶת־הַסִּינִֽי׃
 וְאֶת־הָֽאַרְוָדִ֥י וְאֶת־הַצְּמָרִ֖י וְאֶת־הַֽחֲמָתִ֑י וְאַחַ֣ר נָפֹ֔צוּ מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִֽי׃
 וַֽיְהִ֞י גְּב֤וּל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מִצִּידֹ֔ן בֹּאֲכָ֥ה גְרָ֖רָה עַד־עַזָּ֑ה בֹּאֲכָ֞ה סְדֹ֧מָה וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה וְאַדְמָ֥ה וּצְבֹיִ֖ם עַד־לָֽשַׁע׃
 אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵי־חָ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לִלְשֹֽׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:6 And the sons of heat with black countenance, full of darkness, and double distress, are enslaved with the bow. Gen 10:7 And the sons of black countenance, full of darkness drank wine perpetually, struck as if by a horses mane, and so they struck back: but the sons of the horses mane (wind that whips the face) are greatly blessed and Leaning forward. Gen 10:8 And black countenance, full of darkness gave birth to rebellion who began to profane, defile, pollute and desecrate in order to become a powerful one on the earth. Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the face of Mercy: that’s why people use the saying, “Like Rebellion the mighty hunter defiant in the face of Mercy”. Gen 10:10 As a result, the beginning of his kingdom was confusion that lasted a long time and was insidious dwelling in a fortress of false answers amongst the young. Gen 10:11 From the earth he went forward a further step and established a place for an ancient king, and a city of wide open streets, and vigour, Gen 10:12 And there was a bridle upon the ancient king and his vigour: his city is one of great anguish. Gen 10:13 And Double distress gave birth to revolution and turmoil, whose descendants were strife, which was answered by waters and flames in the open Gen 10:14 And wet lands that were fortified, produced a land of Sojourners, a cup and a crown. Gen 10:15 And the slave merchant first gave birth to hunters and terror, Gen 10:16 And then to one dwelling in the rain of peace, and the prophet, dwelling on clay soil (a man of the earth), Gen 10:17 And then the villager (the average man), and the one gnawing in suffering, and the one wearing thorns, Gen 10:18 And then I will break loose, and cut off twice the children of my sheep, and the fortress of the water skins: and afterward the families of the slave merchant were spread abroad. Gen 10:19 And the territory of the slave merchant covered hunting grounds and the dwelling place of the strong on the way to burning and submersion beneath the red earth, like Gazelles diving into a fissure. Gen 10:20 These were the sons of heat, after their families, after their languages, in their countries, and in their nations.
 
The Sons of The Name (Sheim) [Forebears of Redeemed Ethnic Israel]
 
 וּלְשֵׁ֥ם יֻלַּ֖ד גַּם־ה֑וּא אֲבִי֙ כָּל־בְּנֵי־עֵ֔בֶר אֲחִ֖י יֶ֥פֶת הַגָּדֽוֹל׃
 בְּנֵ֥י שֵׁ֖ם עֵילָ֣ם וְאַשּׁ֑וּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד וְל֥וּד וַֽאֲרָֽם׃
 וּבְנֵ֖י אֲרָ֑ם ע֥וּץ וְח֖וּל וְגֶ֥תֶר וָמַֽשׁ׃
 וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד יָלַ֣ד אֶת־שָׁ֑לַח וְשֶׁ֖לַח יָלַ֥ד אֶת־עֵֽבֶר׃
 וּלְעֵ֥בֶר יֻלַּ֖ד שְׁנֵ֣י בָנִ֑ים שֵׁ֣ם הָֽאֶחָ֞ד פֶּ֗לֶג כִּ֤י בְיָמָיו֙ נִפְלְגָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יָקְטָֽן׃
 וְיָקְטָ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת־אַלְמוֹדָ֖ד וְאֶת־שָׁ֑לֶף וְאֶת־חֲצַרְמָ֖וֶת וְאֶת־יָֽרַח׃
 וְאֶת־הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת־אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת־דִּקְלָֽה׃
 וְאֶת־עוֹבָ֥ל וְאֶת־אֲבִֽימָאֵ֖ל וְאֶת־שְׁבָֽא׃
 וְאֶת־אוֹפִ֥ר וְאֶת־חֲוִילָ֖ה וְאֶת־יוֹבָ֑ב כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י יָקְטָֽן׃
 וַֽיְהִ֥י מוֹשָׁבָ֖ם מִמֵּשָׁ֑א בֹּאֲכָ֥ה סְפָ֖רָה הַ֥ר הַקֶּֽדֶם׃
 אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵי־שֵׁ֔ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לִלְשֹׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם לְגוֹיֵהֶֽם׃
 
Gen 10:21 Unto the Name children were born, He was also the Father (God) of all the children of the region beyond, the Brother (Yeshua) Who opened the way for a great number. Gen 10:22 The children of the Name are eternal, and step forth from light that trickles from their mother’s breast, and through strife they are exalted. Gen 10:23 And the children of the exalted walked the sand in a circle, and from fear were drawn out, delivered. Gen 10:24 And light trickles from the breast (the feminine nature of God) and gives birth to new life that goes forward and new life goes forward and is born again in the region beyond. Gen 10:25 And unto the region beyond (eternity past, present, future) were born two sons: the name of one was division (The first Adam); for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was the least (The Last Adam: Yeshua the servant). Gen 10:26 And the least gave birth to that which can’t be measured, and drawn forth from the village of death is the Messiah (New moon), Gen 10:27 And the noble honourable one, shall bring a flood producing a fruitful garden, Gen 10:28 And He was stripped bare, the one called My Father is God, and was blessed abundantly, Gen 10:29 And abundance encompassed the desert: all these were the sons of the least. Gen 10:30 And their dwelling was in freedom and numbers on a mountain they moved forward. Gen 10:31 These are the sons of the Name, after their families, after their languages, in their lands, after their nations.
 
A Summation of all Sons [Humanity]
 
 אֵ֣לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֧ת בְּנֵי־נֹ֛חַ לְתוֹלְדֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶ֑ם וּמֵאֵ֜לֶּה נִפְרְד֧וּ הַגּוֹיִ֛ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל׃
 
Gen 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Comfort, rest, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
 
© 2024 Yaakov ben Yehoshua Brown