Genesis 10:22 - Nations from Shem's lineage emerge

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Hebrew Text

בְּנֵי שֵׁם עֵילָם וְאַשּׁוּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁד וְלוּד וַאֲרָם׃

English Translation

The children of Shem; ῾Elam, and Ashshur, and Arpakhshad, and Lud, and Aram.

Transliteration

Bnei Shem Eylam ve'Ashur ve'Arpakhshad ve'Lud va'Aram.

Hebrew Leining Text

בְּנֵ֥י שֵׁ֖ם עֵילָ֣ם וְאַשּׁ֑וּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד וְל֥וּד וַֽאֲרָֽם׃

Parasha Commentary

The Lineage of Shem

The verse lists the descendants of Shem, one of Noach's three sons, whose lineage is particularly significant as it leads to Avraham Avinu and ultimately to the Jewish people. Rashi (on Bereishit 10:22) notes that the Torah enumerates Shem's descendants to trace the ancestry of Avraham, emphasizing the chosen line through which the covenant with Hashem would be established.

Significance of Each Son

Elam: The ancestor of the Elamites, a nation in ancient Persia. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 37:4) suggests that Elam's descendants were known for their strength and were later subdued by Avraham in the war against the four kings (Bereishit 14).
Ashshur (Asshur): The progenitor of Assyria. Rashi explains that Ashshur left the land of Shinar (where the Tower of Bavel was built) and settled in Nineveh (Bereishit 10:11), demonstrating his rejection of the sinful ways of his generation.
Arpakhshad: The most significant of Shem's sons in Jewish tradition, as he is the direct ancestor of Avraham (through his descendant Ever). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 69b) discusses his name, suggesting it may allude to the "boundaries of Kasdim" (ארפ כשד), indicating his connection to the region where Avraham would later emerge.
Lud: Associated with the Lydians in Asia Minor. The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Bereishit 61) links Lud to the descendants who would later oppose the Jewish people, such as during the times of the Greeks.
Aram: The forefather of the Arameans, including Lavan and the nation of Aram-Naharaim. The Torah frequently references Aram, particularly in the stories of Yaakov and his family. Ramban (on Bereishit 10:22) notes that Aram's descendants played a pivotal role in Jewish history, both as adversaries (e.g., Lavan) and as part of the familial backdrop of the Avos.

Historical and Theological Implications

The listing of Shem's descendants underscores the Torah's focus on the development of nations and the divine plan for humanity. The Sforno (on Bereishit 10:22) highlights that Shem's line was chosen for its spiritual potential, as his descendants were more inclined toward righteousness compared to the lines of Cham or Yefes. This lineage sets the stage for the emergence of Avraham and the eventual formation of the Jewish people, who would inherit the spiritual legacy of Shem (referred to as "Shem Elokim" in Tehillim 76:2).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the children of Shem mentioned in Genesis 10:22?
A: The children of Shem listed in Genesis 10:22 are Elam, Ashshur, Arpakhshad, Lud, and Aram. According to Rashi, these were the descendants of Shem, one of Noah's three sons, and they became the ancestors of various nations in the ancient world.

Q: Why is the lineage of Shem important in the Torah?
A: The lineage of Shem is important because he was the ancestor of the Jewish people. As Rashi explains, Avraham Avinu (Abraham our forefather) descended from Arpakhshad, one of Shem's sons. This establishes the direct line from Noah to the Jewish nation, highlighting our spiritual heritage.

Q: What lands did Shem's children settle in?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources, Shem's children settled in different regions: Elam in Persia, Ashshur in Assyria, Arpakhshad in Mesopotamia (where Avraham later lived), Lud in parts of Asia Minor, and Aram in Syria. The Midrash connects these locations to later biblical events involving these nations.

Q: How does knowing about Shem's descendants help us understand the Torah?
A: Knowing about Shem's descendants helps us understand the relationships between different nations in Tanach (Bible). For example, the Torah later discusses interactions between Avraham's family (from Arpakhshad) and the Arameans (from Aram). Rambam teaches that these genealogies provide context for Jewish history and our connections to other peoples.

Q: Why does the Torah list all these names of Shem's children?
A: The Torah lists these names to document the origins of nations and show how humanity repopulated after the Flood. As the Talmud explains (Sanhedrin 70b), these genealogies teach us about the diversity of nations while emphasizing our shared ancestry. They also set the stage for understanding Avraham's unique role in Jewish history.