Genesis 10:30
New International Version
The region where they lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

New Living Translation
The territory they occupied extended from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern mountains.

English Standard Version
The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar to the hill country of the east.

Berean Standard Bible
Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

King James Bible
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.

New King James Version
And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

New American Standard Bible
Now their settlement extended from Mesha going toward Sephar, the hill country of the east.

NASB 1995
Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east.

NASB 1977
Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east.

Amplified Bible
Now their territory extended from Mesha as one goes toward Sephar, to the hill country of the east.

Christian Standard Bible
Their settlements extended from Mesha to Sephar, the eastern hill country.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their settlements extended from Mesha to Sephar, the eastern hill country.

American Standard Version
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

English Revised Version
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The region where they lived extended from Mesha toward Sephar in the eastern mountains.

Good News Translation
The land in which they lived extended from Mesha to Sephar in the eastern hill country.

International Standard Version
Their settlements extended from Mesha towards Sephar, the eastern hill country.

Majority Standard Bible
Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

NET Bible
Their dwelling place was from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern hills.

New Heart English Bible
Their dwelling was from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

Webster's Bible Translation
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest to Sephar, a mount of the east.

World English Bible
Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and their dwelling is from Mesha, [in] your coming toward Sephar, a mountain of the east.

Young's Literal Translation
and their dwelling is from Mesha, in thy coming towards Sephar, a mount of the east.

Smith's Literal Translation
And their dwelling shall be from Mesha, in thy going to Sephar, a mountain of the east.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And their dwelling was from Messa as we go on as far as Sephar, a mountain in the east.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And their habitation extended from Messa, as one sojourns, even to Sephar, a mountain in the east.

New American Bible
Their settlements extended all the way from Mesha to Sephar, the eastern hill country.

New Revised Standard Version
The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The lands which they inhabited extended from Mesha, which is at the entrance of Sepharvim, a mount in the east.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And their dwelling was from Manasheh that is in the entry of Sepharweem, a mountain in the East.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, unto the mountain of the east.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And their dwelling was from Masse, till one comes to Saphera, a mountain of the east.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Semites
29Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan. 30 Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country. 31These are the sons of Shem, according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.…

Cross References
Genesis 11:2
And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

1 Chronicles 1:19
Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1:23
Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.

Isaiah 11:11
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Isaiah 21:13
This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

Isaiah 60:6
Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:23
Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair;

Jeremiah 49:28
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east!

Ezekiel 27:21
Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats.

Job 6:19
The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

Matthew 2:1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Acts 2:9-11
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, / Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, / both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Acts 7:2-4
And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.


Treasury of Scripture

And their dwelling was from Mesha, as you go to Sephar a mount of the east.

mount of the east.

Numbers 23:7
And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

Jump to Previous
Country Direction Dwelling East Eastern Extended Goes Goest Hill Mesha Mount Mountain Region Settlement Stretched Territory Towards
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Country Direction Dwelling East Eastern Extended Goes Goest Hill Mesha Mount Mountain Region Settlement Stretched Territory Towards
Genesis 10
1. The generations of Noah.
2. Japheth.
6. Ham.
8. Nimrod becomes the first monarch; the descendants of Canaan.
21. The sons of Shem.














Their territory extended
This phrase indicates the geographical expansion and settlement of the descendants of Joktan, a son of Eber. The Hebrew root for "territory" is "גְּבוּל" (gebul), which often refers to a boundary or border. This suggests a defined area of influence and control, highlighting the organized and established nature of these early communities. Historically, this reflects the post-Flood repopulation and the spread of humanity across the earth, fulfilling God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1).

from Mesha
"Mesha" is a location whose exact historical and archaeological identification remains uncertain. However, it is believed to be in the Arabian Peninsula. The mention of Mesha signifies the starting point of Joktan's descendants' territory. This reflects the ancient practice of defining land by notable landmarks or cities, which was crucial for maintaining tribal identities and inheritance rights.

to Sephar
"Sephar" is similarly a location with uncertain identification, though it is traditionally thought to be in the region of modern-day Yemen. The phrase "to Sephar" indicates the extent of the territory, suggesting a significant span of land. This highlights the growth and prosperity of Joktan's lineage, as they occupied a vast and resource-rich area, which would have been essential for sustaining large populations.

in the eastern hill country
The "eastern hill country" refers to the mountainous regions to the east of Mesha and Sephar. The Hebrew word for "hill country" is "הַר" (har), which can mean mountain or hill. This terrain would have provided natural fortifications and resources, such as water and fertile land for agriculture. The description of the land as "eastern" situates it geographically, providing a sense of direction and orientation in the ancient world. This phrase underscores the strategic and providential placement of Joktan's descendants, allowing them to thrive and fulfill their role in the unfolding biblical narrative.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their territory
מוֹשָׁבָ֖ם (mō·wō·šā·ḇām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

extended from
בֹּאֲכָ֥ה (bō·’ă·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Mesha
מִמֵּשָׁ֑א (mim·mê·šā)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4852: Mesha -- one extremity of the territory of the Joktanites

to Sephar,
סְפָ֖רָה (sə·p̄ā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5611: Sephar -- a place in southern Arabia

in the eastern
הַקֶּֽדֶם׃ (haq·qe·ḏem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

hill country.
הַ֥ר (har)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT Law: Genesis 10:30 Their dwelling was from Mesha as you (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 10:29
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