Shem
malePre-FloodMeaning: “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
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 2 booksGenesis5 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 9:26
And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
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 11:10
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
Luke1 verse
Luke 3:36
Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
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 6 times across 2 books: Genesis, Luke.
What can we learn from Shem?
The story of Shem touches on themes of shem, genealogy, arphaxad, canaanites — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Shem's life.
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