Genesis 10:31

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 10:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Genesis 10:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“These are the sons of Shem, etc.] 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, (<011113>Genesis 11:13-15,17,19) 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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- XXXIII. Shem 21. אבר 'eber, “‘Eber, yonder side; verb: pass, cross.” 22. עילם 'eylām, “‘Elam.” עוּל ‛ûl, “suckle.” עלם ‛ālam, “hide; be mature.” ארפכשׁד 'arpakshad, “Arpakshad.” כשׂד ארף 'arp keśed, “boundary of Kesed, or (von-Bohlen) Arjapakshata, beside Aria.” ארם 'ǎrām, “Aram, high; verb: be high.” 23. עוּץ ‛ûts, “‘Uts; verb: counsel; be firm, solid.” חוּל chûl, “Chul; verb: rub, twist, writhe, be strong, await.” גתר geter, “Gether, bridge?” משׁ meshek, “Mash; related: feel, touch.” 24. שׁלח shelach, “Shelach, missile, shoot.” 25. פלג peleg, “Peleg; noun: brook, canal; verb: divide.” יקטן yāqṭān, “Joctan, small.” 26. אלמודד 'almôdād, “Almodad.” למד lāmad, “learn.” מדד…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification