Genesis 10

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:31:23utc

AFTER THE FLOOD AND THE TOWER OF BABEL

Ch. 10 and 11

It is hard to know what to do with chapter 10. The Pulpit Commentary says: "It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the ethnological table. Whether regarded from a geographical, a political, or a theocratical standpoint, 'this unparalleled list, the combined result of reflection and deep research,' is 'no less valuable as a historical document than as a lasting proof of the brilliant capacity of the Hebrew mind.' Undoubtedly the earliest effort of the human intellect to exhibit in a tabulated form the geographical distribution of the human race, it bears unmistakable witness in its own structure to its high antiquity, occupying itself least with the Japhetic tribes which were furthest from the theocratic center, and were latest in attaining to historic eminence, and enlarging with much greater minuteness of detail on those Hamitic nations, the Egyptian, Canaanite, and Arabian, which were soonest developed, and with which the Hebrews came most into contact in the initial stages of their career. It describes the rise of states, and, consistently with all subsequent historical and archaeological testimony, gives the prominence to the Egyptian or Arabian Hamites, as the first founders of empires. It exhibits the separation of the Shemites from the other sons of Noah, and the budding forth of the line of promise in the family of Arphaxad. While thus useful to the geographer, the historian, the politician, it is especially serviceable to the theologian, as enabling him to trace the descent of the women's seed, and to mark the fulfillment of Scripture prophecies concerning the nations of the earth. In the interpretation of the names which are here recorded, it is obviously impossible in every instance to arrive at certainty, in some cases the names of individuals being mentioned, while in others it is as conspicuously those of people."

That is probably the most that can be said about this chapter. From a devotional viewpoint, there is little to be gathered on the surface. It seems that, like in previous chapters, Moses runs ahead of his subject. What is described here is the result of the confusion and subsequent dispersion of mankind over the globe. We would actually have to read chapter 11 before being able to grasp the message of chapter 10.

The table of nations is written in retrospect. It seems to be more an effort of orientation for the people of Israel on its way to the Promised Land than a record of nations however much importance it may have to the geographer, historian, politician and theologian, as The Pulpit Commentary puts it. Our saying this is no reflection on the historicity of the chapter.

The record starts with Japheth's sons. Of the seven only two are traced in their offspring: Gomer and Javan. The Pulpit Commentary makes a rather extensive effort to trace the peoples, who are descendants from the ones mentioned. So Gomer is supposed to have spread out as far as the Atlantic coast. Ezekiel mentions the name in prophecy: "Also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops; the many nations with you."[ 1 ] According to writing of Josephus, the Galatians, who at that time were supposedly immigrants from Western Europe, correspond to the description.

We find Magog also mentioned in Ezekiel,[ 2 ] and, of course, in Revelations. Gog is apparently a title like Pharaoh and Caesar. In Revelations we read: "And will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth; Gog and Magog; to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore."[ 3 ] The last remark about the descendants of Japheth is made in vs.5: "From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language," or as the KJV puts it: "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations." It seems that this description pertains particularly to the sons of Javan, but it could bear on the whole of Japheth's offspring also. Obviously the mention of the division of language points to the building of the tower of Babel. The sea-faring character of these people puts them at the farthest distance from the people of Israel. The Israelites, generally speaking, seem to have been afraid of water.

In the record about Ham, Put's descendants are not mentioned. Only the lines of Cush, Mizraim and Canaan are followed. We get the impression that those people who were of no interest to Israel, or who never got to play a part in their history, were omitted.

The highlight of the chapter is Nimrod, the son of Cush. Highlight may be the wrong word in this context, because Nimrod is more outstanding as a rascal than for anything else. Five verses are devoted to one man. If we consider that only 32 verses are devoted to the whole world population, we have to say that Nimrod occupied a very prominent place in post-diluvian history. The Bible says about him that he was the first mighty warrior. KJV says "the first mighty one" (RSV - "the first mighty man"). Furthermore, he is called "a mighty hunter before the LORD." And finally he is credited with the foundation of several cities that remained centers of power for centuries to come. He founded both Babylon and Nineveh.

He became a proverb in ancient times. Vs. 9 says: "He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.' "

The founding of the cities, which were spread out quite a bit, presupposes the ability to travel considerable distances, much more than we would give people at that place in history credit for. Adam Clarke says about Nimrod: "Though the words are not definite, it is very likely he was a very bad man. His name Nimrod comes from 'marad,' 'he rebelled'; and the Turgum, on I Chron.1: 10 say: 'Nimrod began to be a mighty man in sin, a murderer of innocent men, and a rebel before the Lord. The word that we render hunter signifies 'prey'; and is applied in the Scriptures to the hunting of men by persecution, oppression, and tyranny. Hence it is likely that Nimrod, having acquired power, used it in tyranny and oppression; and by rapine and violence founded that domination which was the first distinguished by the name of a kingdom on the face of the earth."

His name is further mentioned in I Chronicles: "Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on earth,"[ 4 ] and also in Micah: "They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land and marches into our borders."[ 5 ]

In the chapter that precedes the flood, ch. 5 the highlight falls on Enoch, who walked with God. In this chapter, the first one after the flood, Nimrod catches the full attention. The flood does not seem to have done much to cleanse the earth!

Of Ham's four sons only the lineage of three is traced. Put is left out of the picture completely. Again we see that mainly the peoples who played an important role in the later history of Israel are given prominence. Vs. 19 even treats the name Canaan more as a country than as a person.

Shem had five sons, but only the lineage of two of them is developed: Aram and Arphaxad. Evidently, the line of promise was continued in Arphaxad. The book of I Chronicles puts it more concisely: "Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah and Abram (that is, Abraham)."[ 6 ]

Scripture itself does not claim to give us a complete picture. Even at this rather early stage in human history, the statistics were sufficiently overwhelming to lose one's self in them. How much more in the world of today with its approximately 6 billion inhabitants? No modern computer has them all. Yet God knows every one of His creatures. Jesus' reminder should be remembered here: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."[ 7 ] This chapter reminds us of the contrast between God's omniscience and man's incomplete knowledge.

There also is a way in which God does not know who we are. Paul says: "But the man who loves God is known by God."[ 8 ] And Jesus says to some people, who never loved Him, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "[ 9 ] The message of the Bible is that it is important to be known by God, because our names are registered in the Book of Life.

[ 1 ] Ezek. 38:6

[ 2 ] See ch. 38 and 39

[ 3 ] Rev. 20:8

[ 4 ] I Chr. 1:10

[ 5 ] Micah 5:6

[ 6 ] I Chron.1:24-27

[ 7 ] Matt. 10:29-31

[ 8 ] I Cor. 8:3

[ 9 ] Matt. 7:22,23