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Genesis 10:5

10:4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Dodanim: or, as some read it, Rodanim
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

KJV

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Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. ¶

10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

What does Genesis 10:5 mean?

Genesis 10:5 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אִי (ʼîy), גּוֹי (gôwy), פָּרַד (pârad). It connects to 12 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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By
these
were
the
islesאִיʼîy/ee/H339properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
of
the
Gentilesגּוֹיgôwy/go'-ee/H1471a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
divided
inפָּרַדpârad/paw-rad'/H6504to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)
their
lands;אֶרֶץʼerets/eh'-rets/H776the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
every
oneאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
after
his
tongue,לָשׁוֹןlâshôwn/law-shone'/H3956the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
after
their
families,מִשְׁפָּחָהmishpâchâh/mish-paw-khaw'/H4940a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
in
their
nations.גּוֹיgôwy/go'-ee/H1471a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Commentary on Genesis 10:5

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 10:3–7
>1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. Moses begins with Japheth's family, either because he was the eldest, or because his family lay remotest from Israel and had least concern with them at the time when Moses wrote, and therefore he mentions that race very briefly, hastening to give an account of the posterity of Ham, who were Israel's enemies and of Shem, who were Israel's ancestors; for it is the church that the scripture is designed to be the history of, and of the nations of the world only as they were some way or other related to Israel and interested in the affairs of Israel. Observe, 1. Notice is taken that the sons of Noah had sons born to them after the flood, to repair and rebuild the world of mankind which the flood had ruined. He that had killed now makes alive. 2. The posterity of Japheth were allotted to the isles of the Gentiles ( v. 5 ), which were solemnly, by lot, after a survey, divided among them, and probably this island of ours among the rest; all places beyond the sea from Judea are called isles ( Jer. xxv. 22 ), and this directs us to understand that promise ( Isa. xlii. 4 ), the isles shall wait for his law, of the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ. 6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, an

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 10:20

These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

Genesis 10:25

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. Peleg: that is Division

Genesis 11:1

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. language: Heb. lip. speech: Heb. words

Isaiah 24:15

Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea. fires: or, valleys

Isaiah 41:5

The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.

Isaiah 42:4

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. discouraged: Heb. broken

Isaiah 42:10

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. all: Heb. the fulness thereof

Isaiah 49:1

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Isaiah 51:5

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Jeremiah 2:10

For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. over: or, over to

Jeremiah 25:22

And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea, isles: or, region by the sea side

Zephaniah 2:11

The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. famish: Heb. make lean

Topics

JaphethSciencesTongue

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 10:5.

Exodus 34:24

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

Genesis 10:20

These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

Genesis 10:31

These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

Genesis 10:32

These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Exodus 4:10

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day

Exodus 9:24

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Genesis 42:13

And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

Nahum 3:4

Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 10:5 say?

Genesis 10:5 (King James Version) reads: "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations."

Is Genesis 10:5 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 10:5 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 10:5, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Genesis 10:5
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