These [are] the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
32. of these were the nations divided ] Cf. Gen 10:1, Gen 9:19. The word rendered “divided” is different from that in Gen 10:25, but is the same as that which is found in Gen 10:5. Looking back we can discern the object of the compiler in demonstrating (1) the unity of the race through Noah; (2) the origin of the peoples through his sons; (3) the origin of Israel through Shem and Eber.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
32. These are the families of thesons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations, c.Thisdivision was made in the most orderly manner and the inspiredhistorian evidently intimates that the sons of Noah were rangedaccording to their nations, and every nation ranked by its families,so that every nation had its assigned territory, and in every nationthe tribes, and in every tribe the families, were located bythemselves.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations,…. This is the account of their families, from whom the several nations of the earth sprung:
and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood; not immediately, not till they were so increased as to form distinct nations; not till Peleg’s time, when the division was made; not until the building of the city and tower of Babel, for unto that time these families were together, and then and not before were they dispersed abroad upon the face of the earth; and by degrees peopled all the known parts of the world, Asia, Africa, and Europe, and no doubt America, though the way of their passage thither is unknown to us; and to this partition of the earth by the three sons of Noah, Pindar u seems to have respect, when he says,
“according to the ancients, Jupiter and the immortal ones parted the earth;”
and he speaks of one man having three sons, who dwelt separate, the earth being divided into three parts.
u Olymp. Ode 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The words, “ And by these were the nations of the earth divided in the earth after the flood, ” prepare the way for the description of that event which led to the division of the one race into many nations with different languages.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(32) After their generations.Heb., according to their Tldth. This makes it probable that each family preserved in some way an historical record of its descent; and as this table is called the Tldth of the Sons of Noah, it was probably formed by a comparison of numerous Tldth, each showing the descent of various members of the three great families into which the sons of Noah were divided.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations, and of these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.’
This remarkable chapter has demonstrated the growth of the nations from the families of Noah and his sons, simplifying a most complicated situation. Its concern is to demonstrate that all known nations are descended from Noah. At this stage there are no ‘chosen people’. All nations are the same before God. But the connecting narrative will demonstrate why they are now no longer satisfactory in God’s eyes leading on to his calling of one man, Abraham, to finally bring about a remedy for the needs and sins of the nations.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 10:32. By these were the nations divided, &c. See Act 17:26. From what hath gone before, it appears, that, to speak according to a general view of things, some instances excepted, the sons of Japheth peopled Europe; the sons of Shem, Asia; and the sons of Ham, Africa. But the question is, how came that fourth and late discovered part of the earth, America, to be peopled? For a full answer to this question we refer the reader to an excellent dissertation on this subject in the 20th volume of Anc. Univ. Hist. the authors of which have made it appear that, though it is very probable, the Phoenicians, AEgyptians, and Carthaginians might have planted colonies in that vast country, yet the bulk of the inhabitants must have come from the north-eastern part of Asia, particularly Great Tartary, Siberia, and the peninsula of Kamtschatka: and their remarks have been indubitably confirmed by the discoveries of that celebrated navigator, Captain Cooke. In the conclusion of their dissertation on this subject, they observe: “Thus have we endeavoured to evince, that the Americans were the descendants of Noah, as well as all the nations of the ancient world; which will likewise receive some further accession of strength from the traditions which the natives had about the flood, and the peopling of their country after that memorable event. The Peruvians believed, that there formerly happened a deluge, in which all the people of their continent perished, except a few, who escaped the common destruction by retiring into cavities or hollows upon the tops of the highest mountains, whose posterity at last re-peopled the world. Some traditional notions of that kind prevailed also among the ancient inhabitants of Hispaniola. There is likewise mention made in the ancient histories of Mexico of a general flood, which swept away the whole race of mankind, except one man and his wife. These two persons, according to them, had numerous issue; but all their children were dumb, till endued with the faculty of speech by a dove. To which they added, that the primitive language, spoken by the immediate descendants of the aforesaid pair, was split into such a variety of tongues or dialects, that they could not understand one another, and therefore were necessitated to emigrate into different regions, and these became the founders of different nations. Nay, some of the Americans expressly affirmed, that all men deduced their origin from four women, which seems to approach near the Mosaic history; all which traditional notions seem manifestly to imply, that some of the ancestors of the Americans were acquainted with the Mosaic history.”
In confirmation, that all men are descended from one family, it has been observed, that there are many customs and usages, both civil and religious, which have prevailed in all parts of the world, and can owe their origin to nothing but a general institution; which institution could never have been, had not mankind been of the same blood originally, and instructed in the same common notions, before they were dispersed. Among these usages may be reckoned: 1st, the numbering by decads; 2nd, the computing time by a cycle of seven days; 3rdly, the observation of a seventh day as holy; 4thly, the use of sacrifices propitiatory and eucharistical; 5thly, the consecration of temples and altars; 6thly, the institution of sanctuaries, and their privileges; and, lastly, the universal tradition of a general deluge, and renewing mankind afterwards.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS.
How graciously hath God watched over the promised seed, in the family of Shem, and so particularly marked down the descendants of the chosen race, from whom, after the flesh, that Holy Thing (as he is emphatically called in his own word) was to spring, Christ in the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. And how graciously hath God been pleased to note the features of his people in every age, by that uniform mark, by which they are known, of a poor and afflicted people. While the posterity of Ham, are said to be the Nimrod’s of the earth; the offspring of Shem, with whom the blessing was deposited, is among the bond-slaves in Egypt. Let this teach us, how much better it is to be poor and humble, while belonging to the household of faith, than, void of faith, to be found related even to nobles.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 10:32
32These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. What is the purpose of Genesis 10?
2. Why is Nimrod singled out for special treatment?
3. Why are Israel, Moab, and Edom not mentioned in this list of nations?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
divided: i.e. in judgment. Compare Gen 10:25. Here parad = disruption in judgment. God’s division (Gen 10:25) included ZION. Man’s disruption included BABYLON (Gen 11:2, Gen 11:9).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
are the: Gen 10:1, Gen 10:20, Gen 10:31, Gen 5:29-31
and by: Any man who can barely read his Bible, and has but heard of such people as the Assyrians, Elamites, Lydians, Medes, Ionians, and Thracians, will readily acknowledge that Asshur, Elam, Lud, Madai, Javan, and Tiras, grandsons of Noah, were their respective founders.
nations: Gen 10:25, Gen 9:1, Gen 9:7, Gen 9:19, Act 17:26
Reciprocal: Gen 5:32 – Shem Gen 11:7 – may Gen 11:8 – upon Gen 11:9 – the face Job 15:19 – Unto whom Amo 3:2 – all Zec 14:17 – all