21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Other Translations of Genesis 10:21

New International Version

21 Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother wasOr "Shem, the older brother of" Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

English Standard Version

21 To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born.

The Message

21 Shem, the older brother of Japheth, also had sons. Shem was ancestor to all the children of Eber.

New King James Version

21 And children were born also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder.

New Living Translation

21 Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:21

Commentary on Genesis 10:15-32

(Read Genesis 10:15-32)

The posterity of Canaan were numerous, rich, and pleasantly seated; yet Canaan was under a Divine curse, and not a curse causeless. Those that are under the curse of God, may, perhaps, thrive and prosper in this world; for we cannot know love or hatred, the blessing or the curse, by what is before us, but by what is within us. The curse of God always works really, and always terribly. Perhaps it is a secret curse, a curse to the soul, and does not work so that others can see it; or a slow curse, and does not work soon; but sinners are reserved by it for a day of wrath Canaan here has a better land than either Shem or Japheth, and yet they have a better lot, for they inherit the blessing. Abram and his seed, God's covenant people, descended from Eber, and from him were called Hebrews. How much better it is to be like Eber, the father of a family of saints and honest men, than the father of a family of hunters after power, worldly wealth, or vanities. Goodness is true greatness.