share torah logo

Genesis 9:19 - Humanity's threefold origin

Genesis 9:19 - בראשית 9:19

Hebrew Text

שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵלֶּה בְּנֵי־נֹחַ וּמֵאֵלֶּה נָפְצָה כָל־הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

These are the three sons of Noaĥ: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

Transliteration

Shlosha ele bnei-Noach ume'ele naf'tza kol-ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵי־נֹ֑חַ וּמֵאֵ֖לֶּה נָֽפְצָ֥ה כׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵי־נֹ֑חַ וּמֵאֵ֖לֶּה נָֽפְצָ֥ה כׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Bereshit 9:19) states: "שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵלֶּה בְּנֵי־נֹחַ וּמֵאֵלֶּה נָפְצָה כָל־הָאָרֶץ" ("These are the three sons of Noaĥ: and of them was the whole earth overspread."). This verse serves as a summary of the repopulation of the world after the Mabul (Flood) through Noaĥ's three sons—Shem, Ḥam, and Yefet.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that this verse emphasizes that all humanity descends from these three sons of Noaĥ. He notes that the phrase "נָפְצָה כָל־הָאָרֶץ" ("the whole earth was overspread") teaches that the entire post-Flood population dispersed from these three individuals. Rashi further connects this to the earlier verse (Bereshit 9:18), which mentions that Noaĥ's descendants were the only ones to emerge from the Ark, reinforcing the idea of a new beginning for mankind.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (30:10) elaborates that each of Noaĥ's sons became the progenitor of distinct nations and civilizations. Shem fathered the Semitic peoples, Ḥam the African and Canaanite nations, and Yefet the Indo-European peoples.
  • The Midrash also highlights that this dispersion was part of Hashem's plan to repopulate and diversify the earth, fulfilling the command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Bereshit 9:7).

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:30), Rambam discusses the significance of this verse in the context of Divine providence. He explains that the survival and proliferation of Noaĥ's sons demonstrate Hashem's covenant with humanity, ensuring continuity despite the destruction of the Flood. The verse underscores that all future generations stem from these three righteous survivors, symbolizing a renewed moral responsibility for mankind.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 108b) derives from this verse that all humanity shares a common ancestry, reinforcing the principle of "בריות" (the inherent dignity of all human beings as descendants of Noaĥ). This forms the basis for the Noachide laws, which apply universally to all of Noaĥ's descendants.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 108b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the descendants of Noah and how they repopulated the earth after the flood.
📖 Yevamot 17a
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the lineage and the spread of humanity from Noah's sons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the three sons of Noah mentioned in Genesis 9:19?
A: The three sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Yefet (Japheth). According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, these three sons repopulated the earth after the flood, with each becoming the ancestor of different nations.
Q: Why is Genesis 9:19 important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is important because it establishes how humanity spread after the flood. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108b) and Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) explain that all nations descended from these three sons, fulfilling God's command to Noah to 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 9:1).
Q: What can we learn from Genesis 9:19 today?
A: This verse teaches that all humanity shares a common ancestry, emphasizing unity and mutual responsibility. The Rambam (Maimonides) notes in his writings that despite differences among nations, all people originate from Noah's family, reinforcing the Torah's universal message.
Q: How does Genesis 9:19 connect to later events in the Torah?
A: This verse sets the stage for later events, such as the division of nations after the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Rashi explains that the phrase 'the whole earth was overspread' refers to how Noah's descendants eventually formed distinct nations with different languages and territories.