Japheth
malePre-FloodMeaning: “Enlargement; may he expand”
The son of Noah from whom the coastland and northern peoples descended; blessed by Noah with enlargement and a share in Shem’s blessing.
Biography
Japheth is a son of Noah and, in the Table of Nations, the ancestor of many of the peoples spreading north and west from the Near East (Genesis 10:2–5).
Honor and blessing
Together with Shem, Japheth covered his father Noah without looking on his shame (Genesis 9:23). Noah blessed him: "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem" (Genesis 9:27) — words later seen as anticipating the inclusion of the nations in the blessings of Shem's covenant line.
Father of the coastland peoples
Japheth's sons include Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras (Genesis 10:2), "by these were the isles of the Gentiles divided" (Genesis 10:5).
Life Timeline
Born to Noah; enters the ark
With Shem, honors Noah and receives his blessing
On the Bible timeline
Japheth belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Japheth
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Japheth appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 1 bookGenesis5 verses
Genesis 5:32
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 9:23
And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
Genesis 9:27
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Genesis 10:2
The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
Genesis 10:5
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Frequently asked about Japheth
Who was Japheth in the Bible?
The son of Noah from whom the coastland and northern peoples descended; blessed by Noah with enlargement and a share in Shem’s blessing.
What does the name Japheth mean?
The name Japheth means “Enlargement; may he expand”.
What did Japheth do in the Bible?
Japheth served as patriarch.
Who were Japheth's parents?
Japheth was the child of Noah.
Where does Japheth appear in the Bible?
Japheth is mentioned 5 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Japheth?
The story of Japheth touches on themes of shem, japheth, sciences, canaanites — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Japheth's life.
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