Genesis 10:31

31 These are the descendants of Shem, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.

Genesis 10:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 10:31

These are the sons of Shem
His sons, and grandsons, and great grandsons, in all twenty six, no doubt but there were many more, but these are only mentioned; for none of the sons of Elam, Ashur, and Lud, are named, and but one of Arphaxad's, and one of Salah's, and two of Eber's, and none of Peleg's; when it is not to be questioned but they had many, as is certain of Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, and Peleg, ( Genesis 11:13-15 Genesis 11:17 Genesis 11:19 )

after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after
their nations:
from hence sprung various families at first, and these of different languages upon the confusion of Babel, which thenceforward formed different nations, dwelt in different lands; which have been pointed at as near as we can at this distance, and with the little helps and advantages we have: it seems from hence that Shem's posterity were of different languages as well as those of Ham and Japheth.

Genesis 10:31 In-Context

29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the descendants of Joktan.
30 The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east.
31 These are the descendants of Shem, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
32 These are the families of Noah's sons, according to their genealogies, in their nations; and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.