Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:31
These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
31. These are, &c.] Cf. Gen 10:5 ; Gen 10:20.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
These are the sons of Shem,…. His sons, and grandsons, and great grandsons, in all twenty six, no doubt but there were many more, but these are only mentioned; for none of the sons of Elam, Ashur, and Lud, are named, and but one of Arphaxad’s, and one of Salah’s, and two of Eber’s, and none of Peleg’s; when it is not to be questioned but they had many, as is certain of Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, and Peleg, Ge 11:13
after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations: from hence sprung various families at first, and these of different languages upon the confusion of Babel, which thenceforward formed different nations, dwelt in different lands; which have been pointed at as near as we can at this distance, and with the little helps and advantages we have: it seems from hence that Shem’s posterity were of different languages as well as those of Ham and Japheth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
‘These are the sons of Shem after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.’
Compare Gen 10:5; Gen 10:20. The descriptions confirms that ‘sons’ is to be taken in the broader context of describing tribes, lands and nations.
The mention of language in each of these references is interesting. There is no attempt to divide by language. We must therefore see it as drawing attention to distinctions of language in preparation for the account given in Genesis 11.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 10:31. After their families, &c. In Gen 10:5 also it is said, that they were divided, after their tongues, families, and nations; whence it seems to follow, that they were first ranged according to their nations, and then every nation was ranged after its families; so that every nation dwelt, and had its lot, by itself; and in every nation the families also dwelt, and had their lots, by themselves: for the true import of this, and the like texts, seems to be, that the land or peculiar lot of each family lay within the general lot of each nation. “Whence may be inferred,” as the learned J. Mede observes, “that this great division of the earth was performed orderly, and was not a confused or irregular dispersion, wherein every one went where he listed, and settled himself where he liked best.” After this chapter, let us remark, that such genealogies are of singular advantage to confirm the truth of the Mosaic history, by giving an account of the succession of mankind from the creation to the flood, and from the flood to his own time, shewing from whom all nations were derived, and how they came to be dispersed. Besides, as Mr. Shuckford observes, it is by tracing these genealogies, that we come to know how exactly the predictions in the former chapter, relating to the sons of Noah, were fulfilled. The change of names and countries, with other revolutions, must indeed occasion some uncertainty in disquisitions of so great antiquity: yet the reader, who enters accurately into them, will find them supported by arguments much more favourable, than one who never considered the subject would expect to meet with, for a fact that happened so long ago, and which is but imperfectly described by the earliest writers. We may add, that antiquity gives in its evidence very strongly to the original of the nations here mentioned, while the Mosaic account should be particularly valued, as affording us the only clue in this intricate subject.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
families, &c. Note the thrice-repeated fourfold division in verses: Gen 10:5, Gen 10:20. See App-10.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gen 10:5, Gen 10:20, Act 17:26
Reciprocal: Gen 10:32 – are the Gen 11:9 – Babel