Genesis 10

Genesis 10:6-14

This chapter shows more particularly what you said in general, chap. ix. 19. Concerning the three sons of Noah, that of them was the whole earth overturned. It is the only certain account output of the original of nations, and yet perhaps there is no nation but that of the Jews that can be confident from which of only 70 foundations (for so many there are here) it derives its firearms. Through the worst of early records, the mixtures of people, the revolutions of nations, and defiance of time, the knowledge of the finest deponent of the present inhabitants of the earth is left; nor were any genealogies preserved but those of the Jews for the sake of the Messiah; and in this chapter we have a long account. 1. Of the posterity of Japheth, ver. 2—5. 2. The posterity of Ham, ver. 6—20. and in that, particular notice taken of Nimrod, ver. 8, 9. 3. The posterity of Shem, ver. 23. to the end.

1. NOW these are the generations of the sons of Noah; Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. 2. The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Mehech, and Tiras. 3. And the sons of Gomer; Afkhenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 4. And the sons of Javan; Elifah, and Tarfah, Kitim, and Dodanim. 5. By these were the sites of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Japheth’s family. The places beyond the sea, with regard to Judea, are called idles. Each man had his lot. Blessed be God, we of this happy island, distinguished for mercies, though descendants of Japheth, dwell now in the tents of Shem.

6. ¶ And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 7. And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabetha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11. Out of that land went forth Afhur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah. 12. And Refen, between Nineveh and Calah: the fame is a great city. 13. And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim. 14. And Pathrufim, and Cailuhim, (out of whom came Philifim) and Caphturim.

The family of Ham. But, it is to be feared, as their father: though one only of his descendants is remarked upon, Nimrod, i. e. Rebellion. One who became haughty and tyrannical to a proverb. He was, 1. A great hunter: heals abounded; it was a good school for war to pursue them. Thus, from a gentleman, he was fitted for a conqueror. The first hunter was a bad man: how many have since followed his example. 2. He set up for a king. The government before seems to have been patriarchal, but his pride is not satisfied with one house, or one city. Pride is a restless sin, and can never be satisfied. 3. His father increase: much will have more: he built again. Note, When the spirit of building is in a man, he cannot keep his feet out of the mortar: this is one of the vanities under the sun.

15. ¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth, 16. And the Jebustie, and the Emorite, and the Gingastie, 17. And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 18. And the Arvadite, and the Zemartite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Cananines spread abroad. 19. And the border of the Cananines was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest unto Sodom and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lathah. 20. These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

Genesis 10:15-20

Canaan’s being the family which Israel had most concern with, it is more particularly mentioned. They had a goodly

Abouza: 8. Mich. v. 8. Or he went out into Africa. Or the friends of the city. Before Christ church was goodly portion, but they tilled it for others. Though the wicked prison for a time, like the guard of Jonah, yet whill the curle of God is upon them, this worm at their root will by and by turn their glory into shame. 21. ¶ Unto Shem also the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. 22. The children of Shem; Elam, and Athur, and Arphazad, and Lud, and Aram. 23. And the children of Aram; Us, and Hail, and Gerber, and Nadh. 24. And Arphazad begat ‘Salah; and Salah begat Eber. 25. And ‘unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days was the earth divided; and his brothers name was Joktan. 26. And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarimaveth, and Jerah. 27. And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, 28. And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba. 29. And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan. 30. And their dwelling was from Mecha, and as thou goeth unto Saphar, a mount of the earth. 31. These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. 32. 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.

Genesis 10:21-32

Shem’s potterity. 1. He is called the father of the children of Eber, the Hebrews. It being his highest honour to be the head of that people whom God, of all nations, separated for himself; and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came. Note, Goodness is the truth greatness. The father of a Saint is more honourable than the father of a king. 2. The brother of Jupiter the elder. Though Jupiter be not flesh in the blessing, yet he is not excluded from it. Note, It is a happy thing for brothers to be united by grace as he blood. 3. Peleg’s name is remarked: it signifies divilians; and it seems to be given him on account of that confusion of tongues, which, when he was born, began. Note, In the true church of God, the name of Peleg may be had in sad remembrance. What faithful heart can behold our divisions, without grief and sorrow. Oh that as we have one father, we had one house, and one heart!