THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Let us now reflect on the lineage of Noah's sons and consider what insights may be necessary to share about them, contributing to this study that illustrates the gradual evolution of both the earthly and the heavenly realms. The Scripture starts with the youngest son, Japheth. He is attributed eight sons, along with seven grandsons from two of these sons: three from one and four from the other, totaling fifteen individuals. In contrast, the sons of Ham, Noah's middle son, are listed as four, with one son having five grandsons, and one grandson producing two great-grandsons, culminating in eleven descendants overall. Upon this enumeration, a return to the earlier narrative occurs, particularly with the mention of Hush, who fathered Nimrod, noted for his formidable might on the earth.
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Described as a mighty hunter before the Lord, Nimrod's strength is emphasized in the statement: A mighty hunter before the Lord, like Nimrod. His dominion initially encompassed Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh, all situated in the land of Shinar. From this territory, Asshur emerged and constructed Nineveh, along with Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen, the latter located between Nineveh and Calah; this city was significant indeed (Gen. 10:8-12). Hush, the progenitor of the giant Nimrod, is specifically named among Ham's sons, and his five sons along with two grandsons are accounted for. It is plausible that the giant was born after his grandsons. However, it seems more likely that Scripture highlights him separately due to his notable renown; his kingdom initiated with the illustrious city of Babylon and subsequent regions sharing its name. The mention of Asshur's emergence from Shinar, along with his establishment of Nineveh and the other cities, occurred later and is referenced in acknowledgment of the greatness of the Assyrian Empire, notably expanded by Ninus, son of Bel, who founded the grand city of Nineveh. The city itself derives its name from 'Nin.' Asshur, whose descendants became known as the Assyrians, is not from Ham's lineage but rather from Shem, Noah's eldest son. Thus, it is evident that those descending from Shem eventually occupied the realm of the aforementioned giant and further established additional cities, among them the renowned Nineveh.
The historian then shifts focus to another son of Ham, named Mizraim, and outlines his progeny—not as individuals but as seven nations. Among these, the sixth appears to give rise to the Philistine nation. Consequently, the nations are summed up as eight. The writer subsequently returns to Canaan, Ham's son who received a curse. He lists eleven descendants and details the territories to which they extended. Therefore, when counting sons and grandsons, there are thirty-one individuals within Ham's lineage. Next, we must address the sons of Shem. The account of these generations begins with the youngest and methodically approaches him. However, upon reaching the section where Shem's sons are introduced, there exists an obscurity that warrants clarification, especially given its relevance to our subject matter. The text states: There were also children to Shem, the father of all the sons of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth (Gen. 10:21). This positions Shem as the patriarch of all his descendants the writer intends to mention, whether they be sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, or later generations. While Shem did not directly father Eber—who appears fifth in his genealogy—he did have Arphaxad, who fathered Cainan, Cainan produced Salah, and Salah begot Eber. The significance of Eber’s mention as the foremost in Shem’s lineage is not without purpose, as tradition holds that from him came the Hebrews, or Heberians. There is also speculation that their name derives from Abraham; however, it is evident that they were ultimately known as Everaeans and subsequently, with a minor spelling alteration, Jews. In later times, the Hebrew language would solely encompass the nation of Israel, within which God’s presence was revealed through the saints and the nation as a whole. Thus, the six sons of Shem are first chronicled, followed by four grandsons from one of them. Another son had a grandson, who had a great-grandson, ultimately leading to Eber. Eber himself fathered two sons, one of whom was named Peleg, which translates to ‘the one who divides.’ The Scripture provides the rationale for this name, stating: because in his days the earth was divided (Genesis 10:25). The meaning of this division will be elucidated later. The other son born to Eber fathered twelve sons. Therefore, the total descendants from the three sons of Noah, accounting for fifteen from Japheth, thirty-one from Ham, and twenty-seven from Shem, results in seventy-three individuals. The Scripture continues: These are the sons of Shem according to their tribes, according to their tongues, in their lands, according to their nations. From them the nations arose on the earth after the flood (Gen. 10:31-32). This leads to the conclusion that at that time there were indeed seventy-three distinct nations, or, as will be shown later, possibly seventy-two separate nations rather than individuals. For previously, when Japheth’s sons were listed, it was noted: From these the islands of the nations were populated in their lands, according to their languages, according to their tribes, according to their peoples (Gen. 10:5). Hence, many sons are omitted from the record not because they were childless, but rather because, upon their births, they merged into other nations without founding nations of their own. What other conclusion could be drawn? When listing Japheth's eight sons, only descendants from two are specified; from the four sons of Ham, it is noted that offspring from three are listed; and from the six sons of Shem, the descendants from only two are identified. Surely, the others were not without children. Yet it seems they did not establish distinct nations, as their offspring integrated into the surrounding nations.
In the same book, while outlining the genealogies of Noah's sons, the Scripture states: These are the sons of Ham according to their tribes, their tongues, their lands, and their nations (Gen. 10:20). Similarly, regarding the sons of Shem, it states: These are the sons of Shem according to their tribes, their tongues, their lands, and their nations (Gen. 10:31). Additionally, it is stated: These are the tribes of the sons of Noah according to their genealogies in their nations. From them the nations spread over the earth after the flood. At that time, there was one language and one dialect throughout the entire earth (Gen. 10:32-11:1). Therefore, from the assertion that there was one language and one dialect across the globe, it is reasonable to conclude that when people began to populate the earth extensively, they all communicated in one language. This assertion stands in contrast to the prior declarations regarding their tribes and languages. It would be contradictory for distinct tribes to possess their own languages while simultaneously adhering to a singular language. Thus, it is highlighted and concluded that there was indeed one language and one dialect pervading the earth. The narrative then transitions implicitly to discuss how this singular language fragmented into many. It promptly recounts the construction of a tower during which Divine judgment, prompted by human pride, led to their dispersion according to their languages.