Bible Studies In The Word of God

GENESIS 10

 

Verse 1. Generations. For the definition of this word see at 2:4. The great point of interest in this whole chapter is that it gives prophetically as well as historically, the names of the principal nations that came from Noah. Some of the names came to have other forms than those given here which may be discovered by reading secular history. The reader is recommended to read a volume by George Rawlinson on this matter. The title of the volume la Origin of Nations. In this work the author traces, through dependable history, the origin of various nations and shows them to to have started from the very sources set forth in this chapter. It is a strong showing for the truth of the statements of Moses and ia helpful for the instruction of the student of Holy Writ. It is not questioned by lovers of the Bible as to whether the narratives therein are true. Yet it is wholesome reading to find that whenever secular history deals with subject matter presented also in the Bible that it always corroborates that divine volume. The student is therefore advised to procure said treatise for this chapter.

Verse 2. The modern names that correspond to moat of the names in this verse will here be subjoined to them. This information is based on the History of Rawlinson referred to in previous paragraph. Gomer—Celts. Magog—Slavs. Javan—Greek. Madai —Medes. Tiras-—German. 

Verses 3-5, Gentiles and nations. Both these words are from eoi and this word has been rendered In the A, V. as follows. Gentile, 30 times; heathen, 142; nation, 373; people, 11. From this it should he understood that the word Gentile does not always denote the opposite of Jew as Is so generally thought. There were Gentiles before any Jew was known. But because of the wide latitude of meaning of the word, after there did come a people restricted to one common head and which came to be called Jews, then the term Gentiles was to be understood as being any of the peoples of the earth outside the Jews.

Verses 6, 7. The name Cush Is from the same Hebrew word as Ethiopia. Therefore, the people referred to as the sons of Cush, and the Ethiopians, are the same. Mizraim. This means "upper and lower Egypt." Therefore the people of that area are meant when the name Mizraim is named. Canaan. From this man came the people forming one of the most noted heathen nations of the country west of the Jordan and generally referred to in terms of reproach.

Verses 8, 9. Although verse 7 above starts out with "And the sons of Cush,” with a number of names following, yet that of Nimrod is not mentioned. Evidently it was reserved for special mention which we have in the present paragraph. This was because he became noted in history for two facts. He became a mighty hunter before the Lord, and the other is in the following verse.

Verse 10. Babel. This Is from the same word as Babylon and is defined as follows: "Confusion; Babel (i, e., Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire"—Strong, The fact that Nimrod was the founder of the famous community here named explains the prominence given him in this and preceding paragraph. Shinar. This is the name of a plain in the region of Babylonia.

Verse 11. Asshur. He was the founder of the Assyrian Empire with its capital at Nineveh. This power became an enemy of Babylon. But when it reached its height a mighty officer by name Nabopolassar (father of Nebuchadnezzar), revolted from his lord and founded the later Babylonian Empire, See Myers' Ancient History, pp. 66, 72.

Verses 12-14. The chief reason for calling attention to this passage is that Philistine is mentioned, and he was the founder of the Philistines.

Verses 15-20. Principal name mentioned In this paragraph is Jebusite. By reference to Josh. 15:63 we learn this was a name for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Verses 21-31. Eber. According to Josephus, Ant. 1-6-4, this name came to be the origin of the word Hebrews which is one of the names Applied to the people of the Jews.

Verse 32. By beginning and ending this chapter with a verse that cites the reader to the family history of Noah, the importance of that piece of history is emphasized.  I have not said anything special about many of the names recorded In this chapter. This is not because I don’t think they had any importance, for they did or else they would not have been given space in a book as concise as the Bible. But their importance to us is not always shown and hence nothing much can be said of them without speculation.