Genesis 10:5

Translations

Modern

From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.

Traditional

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

Literal

From these were separated the coastlands of the nations, in their lands, each according to his language, according to their clans, in their nations.

Latin

Ab his divisæ sunt insulæ gentium in regionibus suis, unusquisque secundum linguam suam et familias suas in nationibus suis.

Original

Hebrew

English

From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.

Notes

Genesis 10:5

maritime peoples … into their territories: These were seafaring people who settled around the Mediterranean Sea and on different islands.
languages: This happened after the tower of Babel story (11:1–9; see study note on 10:1–11:9).

Genesis 10:2–32

This section explains where the ancient Near Eastern nations came from. Ham was at the center (10:6–20)while the descendants of Japheth and Shem spread out to the surrounding regions of Greece, Crete, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Madai, the Arabian peninsula, and northeast Africa.
The list is selective in focusing on nations important to Israel. The 70 names (seven times ten) indicate completeness (see 46:27; Deuteronomy 32:8). These names represent the whole world, which Abraham's descendants would later bless (Genesis 18:18).
Although Shem is mentioned first in 10:1, he is addressed last in the Table because of his connection to Abram (10:21–31; 11:10–32; 12:1). Although God established the boundaries of all nations (see Deuteronomy 32:8; Amos 9:7; Acts 17:26), Israel was his special creation (a small group of 70 people; Genesis 46:27). God called them to be a blessing to a world of 70 nations (see 12:3).

Genesis 10:1–11:9

The fifth account (10:1) in Genesis (see study note on 2:4) unites the Table of Nations (10:2–32) and the Babel story (11:1–9) around the theme of scattering the nations (10:5, 18; 11:4, 8–9). The Table of Nations appears before the Babel story, but the Babel event explains how the nations and languages in that list came to exist.

By placing these events in this order, Genesis connects the filling of the earth with the blessing God gave to Noah and his sons (see 9:1 and study note). It shows that the growth of the nations comes from God’s blessing.

This order also prepares for Abram’s call (12:1–3). Abram’s call shows God’s answer to the problem seen at Babel (11:1–9), where humans were separated from God. Through Abram, God begins to restore that relationship.

Theme notes and profiles

Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Zephaniah 2:11
The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.
Jeremiah 2:10
Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:
Isaiah 42:4
He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”
Genesis 10:20
These are the sons of Ham according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
Jeremiah 25:22
…all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;
Isaiah 60:9
Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.
Isaiah 49:1
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
Isaiah 42:10
Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.
Isaiah 59:18
So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.
Isaiah 24:15
Therefore glorify the LORD in the east. Extol the name of the LORD, the God of Israel in the islands of the sea.
Genesis 10:25
Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.

Genesis 10:5

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