The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
The verse begins the opening genealogical record of descent from Noah's sons by naming the seven sons of Japheth as Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. It illustrates that many Bible verses are genealogical lists of names rather than expressed promises. It is part of a long list of names that records the origin and distribution of races, and such genealogies especially interest students of ethnology, while spiritual truths are scattered along the path of that study. The genealogies preserve hereditary descent, which was needed after the exile to establish land allotments and hereditary duties in temple service. The inclusion of the verse shows that God's people were instructed to preserve family records and that the genealogies were recorded faithfully.
The verse is inspired Scripture just as the twenty-third Psalm is, and its place in the Bible is necessary even when its purpose or use for spiritual growth is not understood. The preservation of the genealogy under the direction of God's Spirit served the development and certainty of the gospel.
The verse identifies Gomer and Magog among Japheth's sons, and Gomer's line is traced through the Cimmerians and through Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah to peoples including the Welsh, English, Celts, Scandinavians, Germans, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Irish, and Armenians. The verse lists Tubal among the sons of Japheth, and Tubal is associated with the traditional account that he founded Zaragoza.
The verse begins the opening genealogical record of descent from Noah's sons by naming the seven sons of Japheth as Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. It illustrates that many Bible verses are genealogical lists of names rather than expressed promises. It is part of a long list of names that records the origin and distribution of races, and such genealogies especially interest students of ethnology, while spiritual truths are scattered along the path of that study. The genealogies preserve hereditary descent, which was needed after the exile to establish land allotments and hereditary duties in temple service. The inclusion of the verse shows that God's people were instructed to preserve family records and that the genealogies were recorded faithfully.
The verse is inspired Scripture just as the twenty-third Psalm is, and its place in the Bible is necessary even when its purpose or use for spiritual growth is not understood. The preservation of the genealogy under the direction of God's Spirit served the development and certainty of the gospel.
The verse identifies Gomer and Magog among Japheth's sons, and Gomer's line is traced through the Cimmerians and through Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah to peoples including the Welsh, English, Celts, Scandinavians, Germans, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Irish, and Armenians. The verse lists Tubal among the sons of Japheth, and Tubal is associated with the traditional account that he founded Zaragoza.