5 (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.)

Other Translations of Genesis 10:5

King James Version

5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

English Standard Version

5 From these the coastland peoples spread in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations.

The Message

5 The seafaring peoples developed from these, each in its own place by family, each with its own language.

New King James Version

5 From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

New Living Translation

5 Their descendants became the seafaring peoples that spread out to various lands, each identified by its own language, clan, and national identity.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:5

Commentary on Genesis 10:1-7

(Read Genesis 10:1-7)

This chapter shows concerning the three sons of Noah, that of them was the whole earth overspread. No nation but that of the Jews can be sure from which of these seventy it has come. The lists of names of fathers and sons were preserved of the Jews alone, for the sake of the Messiah. Many learned men, however, have, with some probability, shown which of the nations of the earth descended from each of the sons of Noah To the posterity of Japheth were allotted the isles of the gentiles; probably, the island of Britain among the rest. All places beyond the sea from Judea are called isles, Isaiah 42:4, The isles shall wait for his law, speaks of the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Christ.

6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

Other Translations of Genesis 10:6

King James Version

6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

English Standard Version

6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.

The Message

6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, Canaan.

New King James Version

6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

New Living Translation

6 The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:6

Commentary on Genesis 10:1-7

(Read Genesis 10:1-7)

This chapter shows concerning the three sons of Noah, that of them was the whole earth overspread. No nation but that of the Jews can be sure from which of these seventy it has come. The lists of names of fathers and sons were preserved of the Jews alone, for the sake of the Messiah. Many learned men, however, have, with some probability, shown which of the nations of the earth descended from each of the sons of Noah To the posterity of Japheth were allotted the isles of the gentiles; probably, the island of Britain among the rest. All places beyond the sea from Judea are called isles, Isaiah 42:4, The isles shall wait for his law, speaks of the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Christ.

8 Cush was the father[1] of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth.

Other Translations of Genesis 10:8

King James Version

8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

English Standard Version

8 Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man.Or he began to be a mighty man on the earth

The Message

8 Cush also had Nimrod. He was the first great warrior on Earth.

New King James Version

8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth.

New Living Translation

8 Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:8

Commentary on Genesis 10:8-14

(Read Genesis 10:8-14)

Nimrod was a great man in his day; he began to be mighty in the earth, Those before him were content to be upon the same level with their neighbours, and though every man bare rule in his own house, yet no man pretended any further. Nimrod was resolved to lord it over his neighbours. The spirit of the giants before the flood, who became mighty men, and men of renown, Genesis 6:4, revived in him. Nimrod was a great hunter. Hunting then was the method of preventing the hurtful increase of wild beasts. This required great courage and address, and thus gave an opportunity for Nimrod to command others, and gradually attached a number of men to one leader. From such a beginning, it is likely, that Nimrod began to rule, and to force others to submit. He invaded his neighbours' rights and properties, and persecuted innocent men; endeavouring to make all his own by force and violence. He carried on his oppressions and violence in defiance of God himself. Nimrod was a great ruler. Some way or other, by arts or arms, he got into power, and so founded a monarchy, which was the terror of the mighty, and bid fair to rule all the world. Nimrod was a great builder. Observe in Nimrod the nature of ambition. It is boundless; much would have more, and still cries, Give, give. It is restless; Nimrod, when he had four cities under his command, could not be content till he had four more. It is expensive; Nimrod will rather be at the charge of rearing cities, than not have the honour of ruling them. It is daring, and will stick at nothing. Nimrod's name signifies rebellion; tyrants to men are rebels to God. The days are coming, when conquerors will no longer be spoken of with praise, as in man's partial histories, but be branded with infamy, as in the impartial records of the Bible.

10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in[2] Shinar.[3]

Other Translations of Genesis 10:10

King James Version

10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Babel: Gr. Babylon and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

English Standard Version

10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

The Message

10 His kingdom got its start with Babel; then Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the country of Shinar.

New King James Version

10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

New Living Translation

10 He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:10

Commentary on Genesis 10:8-14

(Read Genesis 10:8-14)

Nimrod was a great man in his day; he began to be mighty in the earth, Those before him were content to be upon the same level with their neighbours, and though every man bare rule in his own house, yet no man pretended any further. Nimrod was resolved to lord it over his neighbours. The spirit of the giants before the flood, who became mighty men, and men of renown, Genesis 6:4, revived in him. Nimrod was a great hunter. Hunting then was the method of preventing the hurtful increase of wild beasts. This required great courage and address, and thus gave an opportunity for Nimrod to command others, and gradually attached a number of men to one leader. From such a beginning, it is likely, that Nimrod began to rule, and to force others to submit. He invaded his neighbours' rights and properties, and persecuted innocent men; endeavouring to make all his own by force and violence. He carried on his oppressions and violence in defiance of God himself. Nimrod was a great ruler. Some way or other, by arts or arms, he got into power, and so founded a monarchy, which was the terror of the mighty, and bid fair to rule all the world. Nimrod was a great builder. Observe in Nimrod the nature of ambition. It is boundless; much would have more, and still cries, Give, give. It is restless; Nimrod, when he had four cities under his command, could not be content till he had four more. It is expensive; Nimrod will rather be at the charge of rearing cities, than not have the honour of ruling them. It is daring, and will stick at nothing. Nimrod's name signifies rebellion; tyrants to men are rebels to God. The days are coming, when conquerors will no longer be spoken of with praise, as in man's partial histories, but be branded with infamy, as in the impartial records of the Bible.

25 Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg,[4] because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

Other Translations of Genesis 10:25

King James Version

25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; Peleg: that is Division for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

English Standard Version

25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg,Peleg means division for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan.

The Message

25 Eber had two sons, Peleg (so named because in his days the human race divided) and Joktan.

New King James Version

25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

New Living Translation

25 Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 10:25

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.