Table of Nations

Out of the scattering at the tower of Babel came the seventy nations of the world (Gen. 10). Ten is symbolic of nations and seven is symbolic of completeness. Thus seventy communicates the idea that the foundation for the nations of the world is complete. This chapter traces the genealogies of Noah’s three sons to explain the origins of all the nations that Israel encounters throughout the Bible. Yahweh chooses the line of Shem as the chosen seed to unfold His plan of redemption for the world. It is from him that Abraham will come (see Noah to Abraham family chart).

From Ham came mostly the nations that would become Israel’s enemies, like Egypt, Canaan, and Shinar. From Japheth came nations like Gomer and Magog, which would become future enemies. From Shem came mostly nomadic tribes that would be lost in the other nations and the historical records of history. It would be through the line of Shem that Terah, the father of Abraham, would come.

Table of Nations 02 image