And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. The sons of JavanThis phrase introduces the descendants of Javan, who was one of the sons of Japheth, a son of Noah. Javan is traditionally associated with the Greek peoples, and his lineage is significant in understanding the spread of nations post-flood. The name "Javan" is often linked to the Ionians, an ancient Greek tribe, indicating the early connections between the biblical narrative and the historical development of the Greek civilization. Elishah
Elishah is believed to be associated with the region of Cyprus or parts of the Aegean Sea. The name may be connected to the Alashiya of ancient texts, which is thought to refer to Cyprus. This connection highlights the spread of Javan's descendants into the Mediterranean, influencing the cultures and trade networks of the ancient world. Elishah's mention underscores the biblical narrative's reach into known historical regions, affirming the Bible's historical reliability. Tarshish
Tarshish is often identified with a distant maritime location, possibly in Spain or Sardinia, known for its wealth and trade, particularly in metals like silver and tin. The mention of Tarshish in various biblical texts, including the account of Jonah, suggests its significance as a symbol of far-reaching trade and exploration. The name evokes the idea of the expansive reach of Javan's descendants and their role in the ancient world's economic and cultural exchanges. the Kittites
The Kittites are generally associated with the people of Kition, an ancient city-state on the island of Cyprus. This connection further emphasizes the influence of Javan's lineage in the Mediterranean region. The Kittites' mention in Genesis 10:4 highlights the spread of civilization and the interconnectedness of ancient peoples, as well as the fulfillment of God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). and the Rodanites
The Rodanites are often linked to the island of Rhodes or the Rhodians, another significant group in the ancient Mediterranean. Rhodes was known for its strategic location and cultural contributions, including the famous Colossus of Rhodes. The inclusion of the Rodanites in this genealogy underscores the widespread influence of Javan's descendants and their role in shaping the cultural and historical landscape of the ancient world. Persons / Places / Events 1. JavanA son of Japheth, Javan is traditionally associated with the Greek peoples. His descendants are believed to have settled in regions that are now part of Greece and the surrounding areas. 2. ElishahOften associated with the region of Cyprus or parts of Greece, Elishah's descendants are thought to have been involved in trade and maritime activities. 3. TarshishA location often linked with maritime trade, possibly in the western Mediterranean. Tarshish is mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a place of wealth and commerce. 4. KittitesLikely referring to the people of Kition, an ancient city on the island of Cyprus. The Kittites are associated with seafaring and trade. 5. RodanitesPossibly linked to the island of Rhodes or the surrounding areas. Like the other descendants of Javan, they are associated with maritime activities. Teaching Points The Spread of NationsGenesis 10, often called the Table of Nations, illustrates the spread of humanity across the earth. It reminds us of God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. Cultural and Economic InfluenceThe descendants of Javan, particularly through maritime trade, had a significant impact on the ancient world. This can encourage us to consider how our own cultural and economic activities can influence others for God's glory. God's Plan for DiversityThe diversity of nations and cultures is part of God's design. As Christians, we are called to appreciate and engage with this diversity, recognizing the image of God in all people. Legacy and InfluenceJust as Javan's descendants left a lasting impact, we are reminded of the importance of our own legacy. How we live and the values we pass on can influence future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the mention of Javan's descendants in Genesis 10:4 help us understand the spread of cultures and languages in the ancient world? 2. In what ways can the economic activities of the descendants of Javan, such as trade, be seen as opportunities to glorify God in our own lives? 3. How do the connections to other scriptures, like Isaiah 66:19 and Ezekiel 27:12, enhance our understanding of the significance of places like Tarshish in biblical history? 4. What can we learn from the diversity of nations in Genesis 10 about God's plan for humanity, and how can this inform our approach to cultural differences today? 5. Reflect on your own legacy. What steps can you take to ensure that your influence aligns with biblical principles and positively impacts future generations? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 66:19This verse mentions Tarshish as a distant land, emphasizing its role in the spread of God's message to the nations. Ezekiel 27:12Tarshish is described as a trading partner of Tyre, highlighting its significance in ancient commerce. 1 Kings 10:22Solomon's fleet of ships from Tarshish brought back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, illustrating the wealth and reach of Tarshish. People Abimael, Almodad, Amorites, Anamim, Anamites, Aram, Arkite, Arkites, Arphaxad, Arvadite, Ashkenaz, Ashur, Canaanites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Casluhim, Casluhites, Dedan, Diklah, Dodanim, Eber, Elam, Elishah, Gether, Girgashite, Girgashites, Girgasite, Gomer, Hadoram, Ham, Hamathite, Hamathites, Havilah, Hazarmaveth, Heth, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Hul, Japheth, Javan, Jerah, Jobab, Joktan, Kittim, Lehabim, Lehabites, Lud, Ludim, Ludites, Madai, Magog, Mash, Mesha, Meshech, Mizraim, Naphtuhim, Naphtuhites, Nimrod, Noah, Obal, Ophir, Pathrusim, Peleg, Phut, Riphath, Sabtah, Sabtecha, Sabtechah, Salah, Seba, Shelah, Sheleph, Shem, Sinite, Sinites, Tarshish, Tiras, Togarmah, Tubal, Uzal, Zemarite, Zemarites, ZidonPlaces Accad, Admah, Assyria, Babel, Calah, Calneh, Canaan, Erech, Gaza, Gerar, Gomorrah, Lasha, Mesha, Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Resen, Sephar, Shinar, Sidon, Sodom, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZeboiimTopics Dodanim, Do'danim, Elishah, Eli'shah, Javan, Kittim, Rodanim, Sons, TarshishDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 10:1-32 7230 genealogies Genesis 10:2-5 5374 languages Library Ancient Chaldaea
The Creation, the Deluge, the history of the gods--The country, its cities its inhabitants, its early dynasties. [Illustration: 002a.jpg] "In the time when nothing which was called heaven existed above, and when nothing below had as yet received the name of earth,* Apsu, the Ocean, who first was their father, and Chaos-Tiamat, who gave birth to them all, mingled their waters in one, reeds which were not united, rushes which bore no fruit."** Life germinated slowly in this inert mass, in which the …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
(Region of Tyre and Sidon.) ^A Matt. XV. 22-28; ^B Mark VII. 24-30. ^b And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it [Jesus sought concealment for the purposes noted in the last section. He also, no doubt, desired an opportunity to impact private instruction to the twelve]; and he could not be hid. [The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide, and he and his disciples were too well known to escape the notice of any who had seen them or heard them described.] 25 But { ^a 22 And} behold, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Sea of Sodom
The bounds of Judea, on both sides, are the sea; the western bound is the Mediterranean,--the eastern, the Dead sea, or the sea of Sodom. This the Jewish writers every where call, which you may not so properly interpret here, "the salt sea," as "the bituminous sea." In which sense word for word, "Sodom's salt," but properly "Sodom's bitumen," doth very frequently occur among them. The use of it was in the holy incense. They mingled 'bitumen,' 'the amber of Jordan,' and [an herb known to few], with …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: Importance of regarding each story as a unit] Of all the different groups of writings in the Old Testament, undoubtedly the early narratives found in the first seven books present the most perplexing problems. This is primarily due to the fact that they have been subject to a long process of editorial revision by which stories, some very old and others very late and written from a very different point of view, have been closely joined together. While there is a distinct aim and unity …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 10:4 NIVGenesis 10:4 NLTGenesis 10:4 ESVGenesis 10:4 NASBGenesis 10:4 KJV
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