Genesis 10:6-20 in the Bible continues the “Table of Nations” by outlining the descendants of Ham, not Japheth. Japheth’s descendants are covered in the earlier verses (Genesis 10:2-5). The verses 10:6-20 specifically detail the lineages and territories associated with the sons of Ham. Here’s a summary:
- Verse 10:6 lists the sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt (Mizraim), Put, and Canaan.
- Verses 10:7-12 describe the descendants of Cush, including Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah. Raamah’s sons are mentioned as Sheba and Dedan. Nimrod, a notable descendant of Cush, is also mentioned, known for establishing a kingdom that includes the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar.
- Verses 10:13-14 cover the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt), which include the Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim.
- Verses 10:15-19 focus on the descendants of Canaan, listing his sons and the territories they inhabited. The sons of Canaan are Sidon, Heth, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. The passage describes the spread of the Canaanite clans and their territories, from Sidon toward Gerar, up to Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, up to Lasha.
- Verse 10:20 concludes this section by noting that these are the descendants of Ham according to their clans and languages, in their territories and nations.
This part of Genesis provides a biblical account of how the descendants of Ham spread out into various territories, each developing its own identity, language, and nation. It’s an important part of the biblical narrative that seeks to explain the origins and relationships of different peoples in the ancient world.