Gen 10:21-31 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 21 Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber - It is generally supposed that the Hebrews derived their name from Eber or Heber, son of Shem; but it appears much more likely that they had it from the circumstance of Abraham passing over (for so the word עבר abar signifies) the river Euphrates to come into the land of Canaan. See the history of Abraham, (note).

‏ Genesis 10:21-31

Verse 21

Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber - It is generally supposed that the Hebrews derived their name from Eber or Heber, son of Shem; but it appears much more likely that they had it from the circumstance of Abraham passing over (for so the word עבר abar signifies) the river Euphrates to come into the land of Canaan. See the history of Abraham, Gen 14:13 (note). Verse 22

Elam - From whom came the Elamites, near to the Medes, and whose chief city was Elymais.

Asshur - Who gave his name to a vast province (afterwards a mighty empire) called Assyria.

Arphaxad - From whom Arrapachitis in Assyria was named, according to some; or Artaxata in Armenia, on the frontiers of Media, according to others.

Lud - The founder of the Lydians. In Asia Minor; or of the Ludim, who dwelt at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris, according to Arias Montanus.

Aram - The father of the Arameans, afterwards called Syrians. Verse 23

Uz - Who peopled Caelosyria, and is supposed to have been the founder of Damascus.

Hul - Who peopled a part of Armenia.

Gether - Supposed by Calmet to have been the founder of the Itureans, who dwelt beyond the Jordan, having Arabia Desert on the east, and the Jordan on the west.

Mash - Who inhabited mount Masius in Mesopotamia, and from whom the river Mazeca, which has its source in that mountain, takes its name. Verse 24

Salah - The founder of the people of Susiana.

Eber - See Gen 10:21. The Septuagint add Cainan here, with one hundred and thirty to the chronology. Verse 25

Peleg - From פלג palag, to divide, because in his days, which is supposed to be about one hundred years after the flood, the earth was divided among the sons of Noah. Though some are of opinion that a physical division, and not a political one, is what is intended here, viz., a separation of continents and islands from the main land; the earthy parts having been united into one great continent previously to the days of Peleg. This opinion appears to me the most likely, for what is said, Gen 10:5, is spoken by way of anticipation. Verse 26

Joktan - He had thirteen sons who had their dwelling from Mesha unto Sephar, a mount of the east, which places Calmet supposes to be mount Masius, on the west in Mesopotamia, and the mountains of the Saphirs on the east in Armenia, or of the Tapyrs farther on in Media. In confirmation that all men have been derived from one family, let it be observed that there are many customs and usages, both sacred and civil, which have prevailed in all parts of the world; and that these could owe their origin to nothing but a general institution, which could never have existed, had not mankind been originally of the same blood, and instructed in the same common notions before they were dispersed. Among these usages may be reckoned,

1. The numbering by tens.

2. Their computing time by a cycle of seven days.

3. Their setting apart the seventh day for religious purposes.

4. Their use of sacrifices, propitiatory and eucharistical.

5. The consecration of temples and altars.

6. The institution of sanctuaries or places of refuge, and their privileges.

7. Their giving a tenth part of the produce of their fields, etc., for the use of the altar.

8. The custom of worshipping the Deity bare-footed.

9. Abstinence of the men from all sensual gratifications previously to their offering sacrifice.

10. The order of priesthood and its support.

11. The notion of legal pollutions, defilements, etc.

12. The universal tradition of a general deluge.

13. The universal opinion that the rainbow was a Divine sign, or portent, etc., etc. See Dodd.

The wisdom and goodness of God are particularly manifested in repeopling the earth by means of three persons, all of the same family, and who had witnessed that awful display of Divine justice in the destruction of the world by the flood, while themselves were preserved in the ark. By this very means the true religion was propagated over the earth; for the sons of Noah would certainly teach their children, not only the precepts delivered to their father by God himself, but also how in his justice he had brought the flood on the world of the ungodly, and by his merciful providence preserved them from the general ruin. It is on this ground alone that we can account for the uniformity and universality of the above traditions, and for the grand outlines of religious truth which are found in every quarter of the world. God has so done his marvellous works that they may be had in everlasting remembrance.