Module 8b
Genesis 10:1-32
Reading Component
Read Genesis 10-12 (Genesis 12 begins the next major division in Genesis). Note on your summary whether you completed the reading. Write a 5-7 word descriptive title for Genesis 10:1-32. Read material covering Genesis 10:1-32 in the three textbooks and write a one-page summary comparing and contrasting the three commentaries. Post title and summary to the on-line classroom. Read the titles and summaries posted by other students. Be prepared to read and discuss your title and summary in class.
Genesis 10:1-32…all reading assignments completed.
Descriptive Title:
Toward God’s Plan To Bless Through Israel
Reading Summary:
If you’ve ever wondered why the issue of context is so very important to the interpretation of Scripture, consider Genesis 10. In today’s society, Scripture is most often read as if it applies directly to the modern reader. The primary application becomes whatever the reader has understood the passage to be saying directly to him. This method totally disregards the fact that there was an original author who had written for a specific purpose to an original audience. Genesis 10 is a great example of why context matters. How would the modern reader make himself the focus of Genesis 10? Why would theses genealogies be of any importance and to whom would they hold significance?
The answers lie within the context. Moses had written Genesis 10. He had written originally to the nation of Israel in preparation for their entering and taking possession of the Promised Land. In Genesis 10 Moses would communicate that all the families, tribes and nations had descended from the sons of Noah. Noah had blessed his son Shem and cursed the descendants of his son, Ham. Moses would trace the nation of Israel back to Shem and show that they were the heirs to the blessing that Noah had given to Shem. Moses would also trace the lineage of the then occupants of the Promised Land back to Ham and in so doing demonstrate that they were the heirs to the curse that Noah spoke concerning the descendants of Ham.
The descendants of Shem, Japheth and Ham were defined in terms of their family affiliations, the languages that they spoke, the nations that they became and the lands that they occupied. Those peoples that would have a direct impact on the nation of Israel would be further developed; those that did not impact Israel were not. Ross noted that “showing such kinship was necessary for confederations, intermarriage, habitations, possessions of lands, and holy war.” He also pointed out that Israel’s relationship with these nations was the focus of Moses’ writings, “All the nations listed in the table are arranged with Israel and the land of Palestine at the center of the writer’s thoughts, so that God’s plan to bless through Israel has great bearing on Israel’s relationship with these nations.”
REBELLION CONTINUES AS A FAMILY TRADITION
Genesis 10- Module 8b
Genesis 10 is the completion of the continuous linage of mankind from the creation of Adam until God enforces his commission to repopulate the now dry but modified Earth at the Tower of Babel. As such, this chapter can be used to define the heritage of various populations as they moved into new environs around the globe, and one line (that of Shem) moves to become God’s chosen race through Abram in Chapter 11.
Many commentators believe that this section was derived from the journals of Shem, although it is not explicitly stated. The genealogy is a bare bones horizontal account (Constable) as opposed to the vertical accounts recounted in chapters 5 and 11. There are two segments in which more than the basic name, age, and nation are recounted. The first is the account of Nimrod, and the second is a short comment on the times of Peleg. Secular literature has been used in various ways to try to “fill in the gaps” as to the movements of the various family units- some apparently accurately and some with expansasive speculation.
After the introduction in verse 1, the next four verses enumerate the descendents of Japheth for two generations. The sparcity of information likely is due to the distances of their new home (Northern Europe to Russia) from that of Shem (the chronicler) who stayed in the Middle East area. It is speculated that he and much of his family remained near his father (Noah) until the patriarch’s death in the Mesopotamia.
Genesis 10:6-20 is dedicated to recounting the lives of the progeny of Ham, some of who led the rebellion against God on the Plains of Shinar. They became the peoples of Africa and the seafarers of the coastal waters of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Their linage also is included for two generations past their forefather Ham.
The “great” hunter, Nimrod, has a special inglorious place in human history. Most commentaries say that his “hunting” was for fellow rebels against God. Some also make a comment that he made a reputation of saving communities from large apparently violent creatures. The Gilgamesh legend is possibly based on his supposed heroics. These creatures (dragons/dinosaurs) were at this time in a state of ill health due to climate change making them an easy target, allowing for good public relations opportunities. His grudge against God might have resulted from his respect for his uncle Canaan of whom God pronounced an unfavorable judgment. Close quarters of man allowed for the disenchanted to become community leaders (much as today) with no respect to the God of their creation. This then brings on the next judgment resulting in the dispersion of man throughout the earth.
Genesis 10:21-32 outlines the continuing heirs of Shem. Little is known of the Abrahamic line through Peleg from this chapter other than that they existed. This would make one think that Shem lived with his son Joktan, of which he was most familiar, and thus as his linage is more detailed, including grandchildren through five generations, instead of two as previously recorded with the other brothers.
The division of the Earth during the time of Peleg gives a time frame for the judgment of the Tower of Babel. (I thought that this was a geographical event, but on further study I find this to be in error). The father of Peleg was Eber of whom the Hebrew nation derived this name.
The stage is now set for the judgment of Babel. Man did not listen, and thus God’s will will be done. Man, even though having experienced the flood, has an exaggerated sense of power. Although rebellion, based in Adam abounds, God is still in control.
Genesis 10:1-32 – I read Chapters 10-12 this week
What came of Noah’s sons
In chapter 11, Moses provides another genealogy of sorts, labeled as the Table of Nations. This genealogy is different though because it is not linear in following one line of descendents, but follows individuals, families, tribes, and places in order to display what became of Noah’s descendents with an emphasis on how this would affect the nation of Israel. Constable and Ross both agree that this is Moses’ intent in this passage, but provide a unique presentation of their commentaries. The majority of Ross’ commentary is focused on the purpose of the commentary and the writing style in developing this purpose, while Constable provides a more detailed discussion of the genealogy of each son in relation to Israel.
Constable describes Japheth’s descendents as settling in the north east and west of Ararat, which would be the current coastline from Turkey to Spain. He indicates that this group settled the furthest distance from Israel and suggests this is why less commentary is given to them. Ross states that Japheth’s descendents formed the Greek and Scythian tribes. Ham’s descendents, as described by Constable, went east, south and southwest in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Africa. In particular, Canaan’s descendents, who did not move as far south, settled in Palestine. Constable points out that this is the geographical intersection of all three son’s descendents. A much lengthier discussion is provided for Ham’s descendents, because of the greater importance in Israel’s history. Finally, Shem’s descendents settled to the northeast and southeast of the Canaanites and also played a large role in Israel’s history. Ross describes their geographical area as the eastern lands and Persian Gulf.
In addition, both Ross and Constable dedicate portions of their commentaries to the numerical identifications in the passage. As listed, Japheth had seven sons and all three brother’s descendents numbered seventy (Abraham would have seed of 70 later). Moses perhaps uses this constant of seven to show God’s divine role to the Israelites. Constable even suggests that since there is a lack of sevens listed in Canaan’s genealogy, this may indicate the presence of chaos. Ross points out that at the very least the reader can recognize that there is order in this passage.
Finally the significance of this genealogy is in the relationship of the peoples/places described to Israel. Moses, in leading the Israelites, attempted to show them that the God they served was constant. Ross describes this genealogy as a segmented genealogy and Constable describes it as a horizontal genealogy showing the geological spread of people. This is in contrast to the linear genealogies elsewhere, like Genesis five. Moses wrote this way to outline what became of the sons of Noah. The story originates with each son, but develops into a story that better identifies the son’s end relationship to Israel. Ross states that the sons/descendents are divided by anthropological, linguistic, political and geographical criteria. Although they began as one people, the genealogy of the sons of Noah shows the development of many nations.
To summarize, perhaps an initial glance into this chapter would deem it insignificant to the Gentile, but upon further examination, it is clear that this is an important part in the history of God’s people. Moses, leading the Israelites out of Egypt needed to instill a love for God into His people. In order to do this, he spends much of the first 11 chapters showing the consistency of God in His dedication to the righteous believers and His will for His people. Chapter 10 also shows this by demonstrating that, as Ross states, “the human race, although united by origin, is divided by language, territory, and politics as a part of God’s design to bring blessing to the human race” and in particular, Israel.