“Answers for a study in the book of Genesis” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.
Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word. Scripture references here are taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted.
The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!
Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.
Review and Bible Study
Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.
Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.
1. Review of Class Topic: With your table group, discuss the apologetic presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.
Answers will vary…
Read Genesis Chapter 10 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:
Note: Chapter 10 is often called “The Table of Nations” because it is here that we find the history of the generations that form all people groups today. The Bible, however, will focus in on one main group – the descendants of Shem, who would eventually birth the nation of Israel.
2. In 10:2-5 we find the generations of Japheth. Are there any familiar names in Japheth’s descendants, if so, what do you know about them, and about where this people group ended up settling?
This question can be used for researching Biblical names and geographical locations. You can go as deep as you want or you can generalize to find that most of the names end up as tribes or nations in historical records inside and even outside the Bible. Some are also found in prophecy. One example is given in the answers below…
“The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras. The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah. The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.” Genesis 10:2-5 (NASB)
- The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.
- One example: Magog – In prophecy it is a land/people in the Old Testament, and is also found in Revelation as a group that comes up against Israel, and God ultimately strikes them down (Ezekiel 38:2, 39:6 and Rev. 20:8).
- Japheth’s descendants settled in “the coastlands” which ultimately resulted in their dispersal throughout Europe and parts of Asia.
3. In 10:6-20 we find the generations of Ham. Are there any familiar names or places in Ham’s list of descendants, if so, what do you know about them and these locations?
This question can be used for researching Biblical names and geographical locations. You can go as deep as you want or you can generalize to find that most of the names end up as tribes or nations in historical records inside and even outside the Bible. Some are also found in prophecy One example is given in the answers below…
“The sons of Ham were Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan. The sons of Cush were Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city. Mizraim became the father of Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim and Pathrusim and Casluhim (from which came the Philistines) and Caphtorim. Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite and the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite; and afterward the families of the Canaanite were spread abroad. The territory of the Canaanite extended from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; as you go toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. These are the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, by their nations.” Genesis 10:6-20 (NASB)
- The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
- One example: Canaan – He will be the father of most of the “ites” we read about later on in Israel’s history, most are enemies of Israel. Also, Nimrod – He was the founder of Babel and is believed to be the leader of the building of the “Tower of Babel.”
- Ham’s descendants settle the continent of Africa and part of the Middle East.
- Specifically, the Canaanites will be in the Promised Land when Joshua enters the land to take it for the LORD. The Canaanites will be a thorn in the side of Israel, but God will use Israel to judge them by destroying them and/or taking them captive into slavery.
4. In 10:21-31 we find the generations of Shem. Are there any familiar names or places in Shem’s descendants, if so, what do you know about them and these locations?
This question can be used for researching Biblical names and geographical locations. You can go as deep as you want or you can generalize to find that most of the names end up as tribes or nations in historical records inside and even outside the Bible. Some are also found in prophecy.
“Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of Japheth, children were born. The sons of Shem were Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram. The sons of Aram were Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash. Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. Joktan became the father of Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah and Obal and Abimael and Sheba and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan. Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east. These are the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, according to their nations. These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.” Genesis 10:21-32 (NASB)
- The sons of Shem: Eber (the beginning of the name Hebrew), Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud and Aram.
- Shem’s descendants dispersed throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor.
- Line from Jesus back to Shem, Noah and ultimately Adam
- Note: Many scholars believe that Jobab in this line is the Job of the Biblical book.
5. Research: Shem’s line leads to Jesus – make a graph or chart to show that connection (you can cross-reference Luke chapter 3).
If we look directly at Luke chapter 3, verses 23 through 38, we get a genealogical record showing Jesus line back to Adam. This is considered to reflect Mary’s line as Joseph’s line, seen in Matthew 1, specifies his lineage back to Abraham. Joseph and Mary were from the same tribe and family clan, so their genealogies would be similar. The two authors are making different points based on their audience (Matthew – Jews vs. Luke – Gentiles).
23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years old, being, as was commonly held, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Luke 3:23-38 (NASB)
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15