The descendants of Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah, are traditionally understood to be the progenitors of many of the Indo-European nations. According to the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, Japheth's lineage is associated with the spread of peoples across Europe and parts of Asia. The Berean Standard Bible provides a detailed account of Japheth's descendants in Genesis 10:2-5:

"The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations."

Gomer: Gomer is often associated with the Cimmerians, an ancient people who lived in what is now southern Russia and Ukraine. His descendants, Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, are linked to various regions in Asia Minor and Europe. Ashkenaz is traditionally connected with the Scythians, while Togarmah is often associated with the Armenians or other groups in Anatolia.

Magog: Magog is frequently identified with peoples in the northern regions, possibly the Scythians or other nomadic tribes. In biblical prophecy, Magog is often mentioned in eschatological contexts, particularly in Ezekiel 38-39, where it is associated with a future conflict against Israel.

Madai: Madai is recognized as the ancestor of the Medes, an ancient Iranian people who played a significant role in the history of the Near East. The Medes are known for their empire, which eventually merged with the Persians under Cyrus the Great.

Javan: Javan is traditionally linked to the Greeks, with his sons Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim representing various Greek and Mediterranean peoples. Elishah is often associated with the Aeolians, Tarshish with a distant trading partner (possibly Tartessos in Spain), Kittim with Cyprus, and Dodanim with the Dardanians or Rhodians.

Tubal and Meshech: These two sons of Japheth are frequently mentioned together in biblical texts and are often associated with regions in Asia Minor, particularly in the areas of modern-day Turkey. They are sometimes linked to the Tabal and Mushki, ancient peoples known from Assyrian records.

Tiras: Tiras is less clearly identified, but some traditions associate him with the Thracians, an ancient group that inhabited parts of the Balkans.

The descendants of Japheth are noted for their expansion and settlement across vast territories, which aligns with the biblical narrative of the dispersion of nations following the Tower of Babel incident. Genesis 10:5 highlights this expansion: "From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations." This passage underscores the role of Japheth's descendants in the spread of diverse cultures and languages across the ancient world.

In the broader biblical context, the descendants of Japheth are often seen as representing the Gentile nations, distinct from the Semitic line of Shem, from which the Israelites are descended, and the Hamitic line of Ham. This distinction plays a significant role in the unfolding narrative of the Bible, particularly in the context of God's covenantal promises and the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles in the redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.