Genesis 10

The spreading of the mankind of the three sons of Noah whose posterity is recounted together with their habitations of Japheth verse 2 of Cham 6 amongst them there are Nimrod and Assure 8. 11 of Sem, 21

1. These now [the scope of this account is principally to shew out of which fathers and progenitors the Messiahs sprung forth after the flesh among which people in the mean time the church of God was maintained and the secondarily to make known the original rise of the several nations and the division of the countries which they inhabited all which serves very much of the clearing of many scripture places as well appear in the sequel] are the births [or generations] of the sons of Noah , Sem, Cham, and Japheth and to them sons were born after the flood.

2. The sons of Japheth are [these have spread themselves from the place of their habitation mostly towards the north and west part; for being first set down in the lesser Asia, they had by degrees almost filled the northern countries and Europe] Gomer [this man's posterity inhabited the north quarter of the lesser Asia wherefore they are likewise ranked among the northern nations Ezekiel 38:6 and whereas they spread themselves westwards also they are held to be progenitors withall of those people whose countries the Gallo-Grecian afterwards inhabited] and Magog [the source of the Scythians of whom see Ezekiel 38:2 and 39.6] and Madai [of whom the Medes came see 2Kings 15.6, Isaiah 13:17 Jeremiah 25:25 Daniel 5:6,8] and Javan [the father of the Greeks see of these Isaiah 66:19 Daniel 8:21 Joel 3:6 Ezekiel 27:13,19] and Tubal [from him it is thought the Iberians come forth as from those the Spaniards see Ezekiel 27:13 and 38.2,3 and 32.26] and Moshech [Heb. Meshech who they be that issued from him is uncertain some conceive the Cappadocians others those of Mysia others the Mosches or Moscovites see Ezekiel 38:2,3] and Tiras [of him there is no further mention made in the holy scripture nevertheless by most opinion there should be the Tracians neighbors to the Macedonians.]

3. And the sons of Gomar are Askenaz [the father of the inhabitants of Pontus and Bithynia countries lying in Asia the less some do hold the Dutch have come from him see Jeremiah 51:27]and Riphath [others Diphath 1 Chronicles 1:6 he was the forefather of the Paphlagonians a people likewise of the lesser Asia formerly called Riphatees or Ripheans] and Torgarma [he is commonly held to have given beginning to the people in the lesser Armenia or according to the others to the high Germans see Ezekiel 27:14 and 38.6.]

4. And the sons of Javan are Elisa [of whom the Aeolians descended a certain people of Greece compare Ezekiel 27:7] and Tarsis [of whom Tarsis the metropolis in Cilicia the apostle Paul’s place of nativity doth bear the name acts 22.3 so that this Tarsis seems to have been the head-spring of Cilicians see Ezekiel 27:12 John 1:3] Chittim [the father of the inhabitants of Macedonia or of Italy or of Cyprus or of a part of Cilicia the opinions differing from about see numbers 24.24 Isaiah 23:1 Jeremiah 2:10] and Dodanim [ others Rodanim 1 Chronicles 1:7 it is held the Rodians and Doreans came from this man.

5. By these were divided the islands of the nations in their countries [understand the countries situated on the sea-side west-ward of Syria between the midland sea and the ocean namely not only those properly called island but those on the continent likewise which is so lie along the sea there that they seem to be the islands] each according to its language [the division of the languages was not as yet introduced see below chapter 11 but Moses speaks according to the time in which he wrote this see likewise example Genesis 12:8 and 13.3 &c.] according to their families among their people.

6. And Cham’s sons are [the posterity of Cham divided themselves from Babel for the most part southward into a part of Asia and Africa and for a time in Palestine see of these 1Corinthians 4.40 Psalms 105:27.]Cus [of whom came the Arabians and the Moors or Ethiopians see above the annotate on chapter 2.13 item 2Kinhs 19.9 Job 28:19 Jeremiah 13:23 and 46.19] and Mitzraim [the father of the Egyptians whose name occurs frequently the holy scripture and it is the name likewise both of the country and the inhabitants of Egypt] and Put [who is conceived to have planted and inhabited part of Lybia where the river of Put is see Jeremiah 46:9 Ezekiel 27:10 and 38.5] and Canaan [the fore-fathers of the Canaanites sufficiently known in the scripture see above chapter 9.25 and below here verse 18.]

7. And the sons of Cus are Seba [from whom the Sebean came in Arabia desserta see Psalms 72:10 and Isaiah 43:3] and Havila [the father of the inhabitants of Havila a country of so named see above chapter 2.11] and Sabia [the learned to hold that this mans progeny inhabited the lower part of rich and happy Arabia] and Raema [likewise one of the progenitors of a people in the same Arabia see Ezekiel 27:22] and Sabiecha [and this is held to have been a planter of the same nation]and the sons of Raema are Scheba [dwelling southwards in Ethiopia whence it is conceived that the queen of Sheba descended see 1 Kings 10:1, 4 Ezekiel 27:22 Matthew 12:42 Acts 8:27 others do pace him in rich Arabia] and Dedan likewise an inhabitant of Arabia or as others conceive of Ethiopia see Ezekiel 27:13 and 38.23.]

8. And Cus begat Nimrod this man began to be mighty upon the earth [see above chapter 6 verse 4]

9. He was a mighty hunter [Heb. Mighty in hunting viz. not only of the wild beasts but of men also with whom he dealt little otherwise then the hunter do deer killing and subduing them to their own pleasure see the like expression Jeremiah 16:16 Lam. Jeremiah 3:25] before the face of the Lord [that is openly daringly without either fear of God or shame before men compare above chapter 6.11] therefore it is said like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the face of the Lord.

10. And the beginning of his kingdom [Nimrod is held to be the founder of the first Monarchy and the first builder of the cities after the flood even as Cain was the first that built a city before the same] was Babel and Erich and Accad and Calne in the land of Sinear [Heb. Schinar the land of Mesopotamia and Chaldea thus named from the hill lying by it see further of this Sinear below chapter 11.2 and 14.1 and Joshua 7:21.]

11. out of this land of Assure went forth [others out of this land of Nimrod namely went forth to Assyria] and built Nineveh [the metropolis of Assyria John 1:2] and Rehoboth Ire and Calab [others Rhoboth the city or the streets of the city viz. of Nineve.]

12. And Resen between Nineveh and between Caleb that is that great city [Nineve namely see John 3:3 and 4.11.]

13. Mitzraim begat Ludim [the planter of the people of Lydia in Mauritania see of these Isaiah 66:19] and Anamim [who is held the source of Cyrenians] and Lebahim [the father of the Lybians in Africa] and Nephtuhim [from whom some hold the Ethiopians to issue the Numidians.]

14. And Pathrusim [who dwelt about the city of Pathrose in Egypt of whom see Isaiah 11:11] and Casluhim [the inhabitants of Cassiotis] from whence [as also the Capthorim see Deuteronomy chapter 2.23 Jeremiah 47:4 Amos 7:9 it should seem that some of the posterity of both these brothers went forth together out of their own habitation and took possession of the land of Palestine from whence they were called Philistines] the Philistines [that is the inhabitants of Palestine] went forth [other descended or issued] and Capthorim [descending from Caphor of whom see Deuteronomy 2:23.]

15. And Canaan begat Zidon [Heb. Tzidon the builder of the city of Tzidon or Zidon in Phenicia whereof see Joshua 11:8 and chapter 19.28 and Judges 1:3 &c.] his first born and Heth [the father of Hithites of whom see Joshua 1:4 and 9.1 &c.]

16. And [these following names are not only the proper names of persons but of the whole nation besides such as descended from them and are therefore by others red and rendered the Jebusites the Amorites &c.] the Jebusi [of whose posterity see Joshua 15:8 and Judges 3:9] and the Emori [of the Emorites see Deuteronomy 2:24] and the Girgas [see Matthew 8:28.]

17. And the Hivvi [see Judges 3:3] and Arki and Sinni [mentioned Isaiah 49:12.]

18. And the Arvadi [see Ezekiel 27:8, 11] and the Zemari [see Joshua 18:22 and 2 Chronicles 13:4] and the Hamathi [se Amos 6:2, 14 Zac.9.2 of some of these together see Genesis 15:19, 20, 21] and according to that are the families of the Canaanites spread forth [understand here all the Canaanites in general all the posterity and people of Canaan.]

19. And the border of the Canaanites was Zidon wee ye go towards Gerar [here the borders or limits of the land of Canaan are described which were in length of the west side Zidon Northward and Gaza southward on the east side Laza and on the south end Gaza and Sodoma] unto Gaza [Heb. Azza] where ye go to Sodom [Heb. Sedom of which and the three following places see below chapter 13.10 and 14.2] and Gomorra [Heb. Amora] and Adama [Heb. Adma] and Zeboim [Heb. Tzeboim] unto Lasa [Heb. Leschab]

20. These are the sons of Cham after their families after their languages in their countries in their nations.

21. Further unto Sem sons were born [Heb. Is or was born so verse 25 These chose their habitation of the most part eastward in Asia the greater wherein Syria Assyria Mesopotamia Chaldea &c. are situated] the same is likewise the father [not only the first planter of them according to the flesh in regard of the primogeniture but likewise a pattern and leader of them according to the spirit in regard of regeneration] of all the sons of Heber [that is of the Hebrews who are likewise therefore are likewise called Heber Numbers 24:24 with whom the true church of God and the true doctrine religion and worship of God continued for a long time others children of the passage or passing over in regard of the river Euphrates which Abraham passed over Joshua 24:3 see further of Sem above chapter 6 verse 10] brother of Japheth [named here in particular as having had a share in the blessing pronounced by God upon Sem of which Cham was excluded see chapter 6.10] the greater [that is the eldest.]

22. The sons of Sem [of their habitation or plantation see verse foregoing] were Elam [of whom are Elamites that is the Persians see of these chapter 14.1, 19 Jeremiah 49:34 &c. Daniel 8:2 Acts 2:9] and Assure [the father of the Assyrians a nation sufficiently known in holy writ compare above verse 11] and Arphaxad [of whom it is conceived the Chaldeans had their beginnings being called Casdim] and Lud [of whom are in Lydia in Asia the less] and Aram [the original of the Syrians see of another Aram below chapter 22.21 of both which it is held that the land of Syria and Syrians had their denomination.]

23. And Arams sons were Uz [Heb. Uts who is supposed to be the progenitor of the country of Trachonitis though others assign him rather to some that inhabited about Idumea of Uts see Job 1:1 Lamentations 4:21] and Hul [who it is thought inhabited the country of Palmyrenians or of Armenia] and Gether [of whom were Bactrians or the inhabitants of the Apamene] and Mas [others Mesech 1 Chronicles 1:17 who inhabited as some think the upper part of Syria between Cilicia and Mesopotamia by a part of mount Amans called Masius others do place him in Mysia.]

24. And Arphaxad [compare chapter 21 verse 13, 15] begat Selah and Selah begat Heber.

25. And to Heber two sons were born the name of the one was Peleg for in his days the earth divided [that is the time of his birth it happened that the inhabitants of the earth parted asunder upon the division of the languages related in the next chapter] and his brothers name was Jokian.

26. And Jokian begat Almodad [of Jokians posterity there is but little information to be found in either holy scripture or other writings] and Seliph and Hazarmavet and Jarah.

27. And Hadoram and Uzal and Dikla.

28. And Obal and Abimael and Scheba [this is a different one from him that was the son of Cus the son of Cham see above verse 7.]

29. And Ophir [see 1 Kings 9:28 and chapter 22.49 Psalms 45:10 Isaiah 13:12] and Havila [who is likewise to be distinguished from the other Havila descending from Cus the son of Cham of whom see above verse 7 of this man here some do hold that the country of the Ishmaelites and Amalekites is called thus Genesis 25:8 1Samuel 15.7] and Jobab all these were Joktans sons.

30. And their habitation was from ,Mescha off as ye g towards Sepgar the mountain of the east [that is of Chaldea see Numbers 23:7]

31. These are the sons of Sem after their families after their languages in their countries according t their nations.

32. These are the families of the sons of Noah according to their births [see above chapter 5 verse 1] in their nations and by them are the nations divided upon the earth after the flood.