Shem
maleAntediluvianMeaning: “Name; renown”
The son of Noah blessed above his brothers, and ancestor of the Semitic peoples — including the line of Abraham through which the Messiah came.
Biography
Shem is one of the three sons of Noah and the bearer of the covenant line. His name, meaning "name" or "renown," fittingly attaches to the peoples called "Semitic" after him.
The blessed son
After the flood, when Ham dishonored Noah, Shem and Japheth covered their father with averted eyes (Genesis 9:23). Noah then blessed Shem distinctly: "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem" (Genesis 9:26), associating the covenant God especially with Shem's descendants.
Father of the covenant line
Genesis 11 traces Shem's line through Arphaxad down to Terah and Abram (Genesis 11:10–26). Thus from Shem comes Abraham, Israel, and ultimately Jesus, whom Luke's genealogy lists as a son of Shem (Luke 3:36). Shem lived 600 years (Genesis 11:10–11).
Life Timeline
Born to Noah; enters the ark before the flood
With Japheth, honors Noah; receives his father’s blessing
Fathers Arphaxad two years after the flood
On the Bible timeline
Shem 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 Shem
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Shem appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
16 verses in 2 booksGenesis13 verses
Genesis 5:32
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 6:10
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 7:13
In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
Genesis 9:18
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. Canaan: Heb. Chenaan
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 9:26
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. his servant: or, servant to them
Genesis 9:27
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. enlarge: or, persuade
Genesis 10:1
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
Genesis 10:21
Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
Genesis 10:22
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. Arphaxad: Heb. Arpachshad
Genesis 10:31
These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Genesis 11:10
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
Genesis 11:11
And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 1:4
Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1 Chronicles 1:17
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech. Meshech: or, Mash
1 Chronicles 1:24
Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
Frequently asked about Shem
Who was Shem in the Bible?
The son of Noah blessed above his brothers, and ancestor of the Semitic peoples — including the line of Abraham through which the Messiah came.
What does the name Shem mean?
The name Shem means “Name; renown”.
What did Shem do in the Bible?
Shem served as patriarch.
Who were Shem's parents?
Shem was the child of Noah.
Where does Shem appear in the Bible?
Shem is mentioned 16 times across 2 books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Shem?
The story of Shem touches on themes of shem, genealogy, arphaxad, sciences — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Shem's life.
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