Now it is time for our verse break down:

Genesis 10:21
Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Shem, the older brother of Japheth, or Shem, whose older brother was Japheth, was the father of the Semitic peoples. The descendants listed represent countries east of Israel, modern Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The narrator lists these locations within Mesopotamia since Abram, the father of Israel, originated from this area. Eber receives special attention because of his connection with Abram.

This verse begins the final section of chapter 10's table of nations, describing how all of the people groups of the ancient world descended from Noah's three sons. This section on the line of Shem comes last, though this verse makes clear that Shem was the oldest of Noah's sons. Earlier, Ham was described using a Hebrew term meaning either "youngest," or "least" (Genesis 9:24).

Here, translations are split on whether Shem or Japheth is the older brother. Of course, their exact birth order is not explicitly given anywhere in the Bible. Most likely, but not assuredly, Shem was the oldest of the three sons Noah brought with him on the ark (Genesis 7:1).

Shem's line is the one that will lead to Abraham and the Israelites. Verse 21 begins by referring to Shem as the father of the Eberites. This is typical of genealogies, especially in the ancient world. The term "father" is often used to refer to any male ancestor (Genesis 15:15; Genesis 31:3).

This makes Shem the "father" of the Eberites, in the sense that, as Eber's great grandfather, Shem is the ancestor of that people. Through the Eberites, eventually, Shem's line will lead to Abraham (Abram).

Genesis 10:22
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

The descendants of Elam lived in the region of modern southwestern Iran. The descendants of Asshur were later Assyrians who lived under Nimrod’s jurisdiction. Sumerians descended from Ham were ousted by Mesopotamian Semites. Arphaxad possibly settled northeast of Nineveh; his descendants are further described in Gen 11:12-26.

Lud was near the Tigris River; its people were related to the Lydians. Aram was a kingdom of tribes that lived in the Mesopotamian plains. This verse lists the sons of Noah's son Shem. Shem's descendants Elam and Asshur will found significant people groups, well known historically and deeply involved in the history of Israel.

Less is known about the peoples that came from Lud and Aram. Much of this same genealogical material is presented in the book of 1 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 1:17–25).

Shem's line through his son Arpachshad is the one that leads to Abraham (Abram) and Israel. This makes Shem the ancestor of figures such as King David and Jesus Christ.

Genesis 10:23
And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.

The patriarchs later interacted with the descendants of Aram. Uz was the chief Aramean tribe, possibly located northeast of the Jordan; it was Job’s home. Hul is unknown. He possibly founded Armenia.

Gether is unknown; he was possibly the founder of the Syrians. Mash might be associated with Mount Masus in northern Mesopotamia or with a part of the Lebanon Mountains.

The purpose of this passage of Scripture is to explain the origins of the ancient world's various nations and people groups. Some, such as the descendants of Ham's son Canaan, would become highly influential in the history of Israel. For that reason, the Bible devotes more details to them.

Others, such as the men listed here, do not seem to have had a significant impact on the ancient world.

This verse lists the sons of Shem's son Aram. Little is known from the Bible or external records about the groups that came from these men. The only noteworthy name given here is that of Uz, which is the same as the native land of Job (Job 1:1), mentioned in a few places in Scripture (Jeremiah 25:20; Lamentations 4:21).

Genesis 10:24
And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.

Arphaxad was the father of Shelah: Greek version reads Arphaxad was the father of Cainan, Cainan was the father of Shelah. Shelah is unknown, but may be short for Methushelah. Eber was the ancestor of Abram the Hebrew.

This verse continues the genealogy of Noah's son Shem. Chapter 10 traces the origins of the ancient world's various people groups—all of whom come from the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Some of these early descendants founded great and powerful people groups. Ham's son, Mizraim, is also known as Egypt. Ham's son Canaan will father several cultures which become bitter enemies of Israel. This chapter shows the origins of city-states and nations which become well-known throughout the rest of the Old Testament, such as Magog, Tarshish, Kittim, Cush, Babel, Nineveh, Sidon, and so forth.

Shem's line leads through Arpachshad to Shelah to Eber and eventually to Abraham and the Israelites. This makes Shem the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It also fulfills the curse given by Noah (Genesis 9:20–25) that Canaan's descendants would be subservient to those of Shem.

Genesis 10:25
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

Peleg means division, anticipating the separation of people into language groups after Babel.
Peleg’s line led to Abram. Joktan was the ancestor of the southern Arabian tribes. The Ishmaelite tribes were in northern Arabia. All that Moses is simply doing is anticipating the next chapter in which he will give us the account of the Tower of Babel. At that time the earth was divided.

May I say that the simple interpretation seems to be the one that a great many folk miss, and we should not miss it. This verse continues the genealogy of Noah's son Shem. Shem's great grandson Eber fathered two sons. Shem's line will continue through Peleg to Abraham and the Israelites.

This passage also makes an interesting comment about one of Shem's descendants, Peleg. Peleg's name apparently comes from an ancient word meaning "to divide." The division of the earth in Peleg's mentioned here likely refers to the division and dispersal of humanity that will happen after the events surrounding the tower of Babel.

At that point, mankind will be dispersed over the earth, and their languages confused. Those events are described in chapter 11. This side-long reference to Peleg is also useful for understanding ancient writing. This part of Genesis describes the descendants of Noah's sons, including their eventual geography.

But chapter 11 will describe a moment when mankind is dispersed over the earth. This is due to the fact that Genesis, like many ancient records, is more concerned with themes than with chronology. In other words, the story of the Tower of Babel is not the point of this particular text, so it will be mentioned later. Scholars suggest that Eber's other son Joktan will become the father of Arab peoples.

Genesis 10:26
And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,

There were fourteen sons of Shem by Eber through Joktan. The placement of the Babel story between the lines of Joktan and Peleg ties Joktan to the judgment of the Babel story and ties Peleg to Abram. This verse continues the genealogy of Shem, listing the sons of his great-great-grandson, Joktan. In total, 13 sons are listed.

The names of several of these sons became associated with well-known areas in the larger region of the Middle East. This is part of chapter 10's "table of nations," explaining the origin of the ancient world's various people groups.

The actual dispersal of these people to their eventual geographic regions, does not seem to occur until chapter 11 at the incident of the Tower of Babel. Jerah is a Hebrew word meaning "new moon." Later on in history, the moon would become one of the foremost gods worshiped in the region, which seems to be the ancestral homeland of Arabic peoples.

Genesis 10:27
And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,

Hadoram was an Arabian tribe. Uzal was Sana’a, an old capital of Yemen in pre-Islamic times. Diklah was a southern Arabian oasis in Mina. This verse continues the "table of nations," describing the origins of the ancient nations. All of these tribes and people were descended from Noah, through his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Earlier passages gave details about the children of Japheth, and then Ham. Here, verse 27 continues the genealogy of Shem, through his great-great-grandson Joktan. In total, 13 sons are listed. The names of several of these sons became well known areas in the larger region of the Middle East.

The name Uzal may be Azal, an old name for Sann'a, the modern-day capital of Yemen, indicating that this branch of Joktan's line settled in that area.

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