---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Genesis 10:1. Now these are the generations — It is extremely difficult to say what particular nations and people sprang from the three grand divisi"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/genesis/10"
---

![Clarke](/images/commentaries/clarkes-commentary.jpg)

 The Clarke's Commentary
 
Include 66 books
 
Denomination: arminianism
 
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Verse [Genesis 10:1](../../../kjv/genesis/10/1). ***Now these are the generations*** — It is extremely difficult to say what particular nations and people sprang from the three grand divisions of the family of Noah, because the names of many of those ancient people have become changed in the vast lapse of time from the deluge to the Christian era; yet some are so very distinctly marked that they can be easily ascertained, while a few still retain their original names.
Moses does not always give the name of the *first settler* in a country, but rather that of the *people* from whom the country *afterwards* derived its name. Thus *Mizraim* is the dual of *Mezer*, and could never be the name of an *individual*. The like may be said of *Kittim*, *Dodanim, Ludim, Ananim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,* *Pathrusim, Casluhim, Philistim*, and *Caphtorim*, which are all *plurals*, and evidently not the names of *individuals*, but of *families* or *tribes*. See [Genesis 10:4](../../../kjv/genesis/10/4); [Genesis 10:6](../../../kjv/genesis/10/6); [Genesis 10:13](../../../kjv/genesis/10/13); [Genesis 10:14](../../../kjv/genesis/10/14).
In the posterity of Canaan we find whole nations reckoned in the genealogy, instead of the individuals from whom they sprang; thus the *Jebusite, Amorite, Girgasite, Hivite, Arkite, Sinite,* *Arvadite, Zemarite*, and *Hamathite*, [Genesis 10:16-18](../../../kjv/genesis/10/16-18), were evidently whole nations or tribes which inhabited the promised land, and were called *Canaanites* from *Canaan*, the son of *Ham*, who settled there.
Moses also, in this genealogy, seems to have introduced even the name of some *places* that were remarkable in the sacred history, instead of the original *settlers*. Such as *Hazarmaveth*, [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26); and probably *Ophir* and *Havilah*, [Genesis 10:29](../../../kjv/genesis/10/29). But this is not infrequent in the sacred writings, as may be seen [1 Chronicles 2:51](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/2/51), where *Salma* is called *the father of Bethlehem*, which certainly never was the name of a *man*, but of a *place* sufficiently celebrated in the sacred history; and in [1 Chronicles 4:14](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/4/14), where Joab is called *the father of the valley of Charashim*, which no person could ever suppose was intended to designate an *individual*, but the society of *craftsmen* or artificers who lived there.
Eusebius and others state (from what authority we know not) that Noah was commanded of God to *make a will* and bequeath the whole of the earth to his three sons and their descendants in the following manner: - To *Shem*, all the *East*; to *Ham*, all *Africa*; to *Japheth*, the *Continent of Europe* with its *isles*, and the *northern parts of Asia*. See the notes at the end of the preceding chapter. [Genesis 9:29](../../../kjv/genesis/9/29).

Verse [Genesis 10:2](../../../kjv/genesis/10/2). ***The sons of Japheth*** — Japheth is supposed to be the same with the *Japetus* of the Greeks, from whom, in an extremely remote antiquity, that people were supposed to have derived their origin.
***Gomer*** — Supposed by some to have peopled Galatia; so Josephus, who says that the *Galatians* were anciently named *Gomerites*. From him the *Cimmerians* or *Cimbrians* are supposed to have derived their origin. *Bochart* has no doubt that the *Phrygians* sprang from this person, and some of our principal commentators are of the same opinion.
***Magog*** — Supposed by many to be the father of the *Scythians* and *Tartars*, or *Tatars*, as the word should be written; and in great Tartary many names are still found which bear such a striking resemblance to the *Gog* and *Magog* of the Scriptures, as to leave little doubt of their identity.
***Madai*** — Generally supposed to be the progenitor of the *Medes*; but *Joseph Mede* makes it probable that he was rather the founder of a people in Macedonia called Maedi, and that Macedonia was formerly called *Emathia*, a name formed from *Ei*, an *island*, and *Madai*, because he and his descendants inhabited the maritime coast on the borders of the Ionian Sea. On this subject nothing certain can be advanced.
***Javan*** — It is almost universally agreed that from him sprang the *Ionians*, of Asia Minor; but this name seems to have been anciently given to the *Macedonians, Achaians*, and *Baeotians*.
***Tubal*** — Some think be was the father of the *Iberians*, and that a part at least of *Spain* was peopled by him and his descendants; and that *Meshech*, who is generally in Scripture joined with him, was the founder of the *Cappadocians*, from whom proceeded the *Muscovites*.
***Tiras.*** — From this person, according to general consent, the *Thracians* derived their origin.

Verse [Genesis 10:3](../../../kjv/genesis/10/3). ***Ashkenaz*** — Probably gave his name to *Sacagena*, a very excellent province of Armenia. Pliny mentions a people called *Ascanitici*, who dwelt about the *Tanais* and the *Palus Maeotis*; and some suppose that from Ashkenaz the *Euxine Sea* derived its name, but others suppose that from him the Germans derived their origin.
***Riphath*** — Or *Diphath*, the founder of the *Paphlagonians*, which were anciently called *Riphataei*.
***Togarmah.*** — The *Sauromates*, or inhabitants of Turcomania. See the reasons in *Calmet*.

Verse [Genesis 10:4](../../../kjv/genesis/10/4). ***Elishah*** — As *Javan* peopled a considerable part of *Greece*, it is in that region that we must seek for the settlements of his descendants; *Elishah* probably was the first who settled at *Elis*, in Peloponnesus.
***Tarshish*** — He first inhabited *Cilicia*, whose capital anciently was the city of *Tarsus*, where the Apostle Paul was born.
***Kittim*** — We have already seen that this name was rather the name of a *people* than of an *individual*: some think by *Kittim* Cyprus is meant: others, the isle of Chios; and others, the *Romans*; and others, the *Macedonians*.
***Dodanim.*** — Or *Rodanim*, for the ד and ר may be easily mistaken for each other, because of their great similarity. Some suppose that this family settled at *Dodona* in Epirus; others at the isle of *Rhodes*; others, at the *Rhone*, in France, the ancient name of which was *Rhodanus*, from the Scripture *Rodanim*.

Verse [Genesis 10:5](../../../kjv/genesis/10/5). ***Isles of the Gentiles*** — EUROPE, of which this is allowed to be a general epithet. Calmet supposes that it comprehends all those countries to which the Hebrews were obliged to go by sea, such as Spain, Gaul, Italy, Greece, and Asia Minor.
***Every one after his tongue*** — This refers to the time posterior to the confusion of tongues and dispersion from *Babel*.

Verse [Genesis 10:6](../../../kjv/genesis/10/6). ***Cush*** — Who peopled the Arabic *nome* near the *Red Sea* in Lower Egypt. Some think the *Ethiopians* descended from him.
***Mizraim*** — This family certainly peopled *Egypt*; and both in the East and in the West, Egypt is called *Mezr* and *Mezraim*.
***Phut*** — Who first peopled an Egyptian *nome* or district, bordering on Libya.
***Canaan.*** — He who first peopled the land so called, known also by the name of the *Promised Land*.

Verse [Genesis 10:7](../../../kjv/genesis/10/7). ***Seba*** — The founder of the Sabaeans. There seem to be three different people of this name mentioned in this chapter, and a fourth in [Genesis 25:3](../../../kjv/genesis/25/3).
***Havilah*** — Supposed by some to mean the inhabitants of the country included within that branch of the river Pison which ran out of the Euphrates into the bay of Persia, and bounded Arabia Felix on the east.
***Sabtah*** — Supposed by some to have first peopled an isle or peninsula called *Saphta*, in the Persian Gulf.
***Raamah*** — Or *Ragmah*, for the word is pronounced both ways, because of the ע *ain*, which some make a vowel, and some a consonant. Ptolemy mentions a city called *Regma* near the Persian Gulf; it probably received its name from the person in the text.
***Sabtechah*** — From the river called *Samidochus*, in Caramanla; Bochart conjectures that the person in the text fixed his residence in that part.
***Sheba*** — Supposed to have had his residence beyond the Euphrates, in the environs of Charran, Eden, &c.
***Dedan.*** — Supposed to have peopled a part of Arabia, on the confines of Idumea.

Verse [Genesis 10:8](../../../kjv/genesis/10/8). ***Nimrod*** — Of this person little is known, as he is not mentioned except here and and in [1 Chronicles 1:10](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/1/10), which is evidently a copy of the text in Genesis. He is called a *mighty hunter before* *the Lord*; and from [Genesis 10:10](../../../kjv/genesis/10/10), we learn that he founded a *kingdom* which included the cities *Babel, Erech, Accad, and* *Calneh*, *in the land of Shinar*. Though the words are not definite, it is very likely he was a very *bad man*. His name Nimrod comes from מרד, *marad, he rebelled*; and the Targum, on [1 Chronicles 1:10](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/1/10), says: *Nimrod began to be a mighty man in sin, a murderer of* *innocent men, and a rebel before the Lord*. The Jerusalem Targum says: "He was mighty in hunting (or in prey) and in sin before God, for he was a hunter of the children of men in their languages; and he said unto them, *Depart from the religion of* *Shem, and cleave to the institutes of Nimrod*." The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel says: "From the foundation of the world none was ever found like Nimrod, powerful in hunting, and in rebellions against the Lord." The Syriac calls him a *warlike giant*. The word ציד *tsayid*, which we render *hunter*, signifies *prey*; and is applied in the Scriptures to the *hunting of men* by persecution, oppression, and tyranny. Hence it is likely that Nimrod, having acquired power, used it in tyranny and oppression; and by rapine and violence founded that domination which was the first distinguished by the name of a *kingdom* on the face of the earth. How many kingdoms have been founded in the same way, in various ages and nations from that time to the present! From the Nimrods of the earth, God deliver the world!
Mr. Bryant, in his Mythology, considers Nimrod as the principal instrument of the *idolatry* that afterwards prevailed in the family of Cush, and treats him as an *arch rebel and apostate*. Mr. Richardson, who was the determined foe of Mr. Bryant's whole system, asks, *Dissertation*, p. 405, "Where is the authority for these aspersions? They are nowhere to be discovered in the originals, in the *versions*, nor in the *paraphrases* of the sacred writings." If they are *not* to be found either in *versions* or *paraphrases* of the sacred writings, the above quotations are all *false*.

Verse [Genesis 10:10](../../../kjv/genesis/10/10). ***The beginning of his kingdom was Babel*** — בבל *babel* signifies *confusion*; and it seems to have been a very proper name for the commencement of a kingdom that appears to have been founded in *apostasy* from God, and to have been supported by *tyranny, rapine*, and *oppression*.
***In the land of Shinar.*** — The same as mentioned [Genesis 11:2](../../../kjv/genesis/11/2). It appears that, as Babylon was built on the river Euphrates, and the tower of Babel was in the land of *Shinar*, consequently Shinar itself must have been in the southern part of Mesopotamia.

Verse [Genesis 10:11](../../../kjv/genesis/10/11). ***Out of that land went forth Asshur*** — The *marginal* reading is to be preferred here. *He*- Nimrod, *went out* into *Assyria* *and built Nineveh*; and hence Assyria is called the *land of Nimrod*, [Micah 5:6](../../../kjv/micah/5/6). Thus did this mighty hunter extend his dominions in every possible way. The city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is supposed to have had its name from *Ninus*, the son of Nimrod; but probably Ninus and Nimrod are the same person. This city, which made so conspicuous a figure in the history of the world, is now called *Mossul*; it is an inconsiderable place, built out of the ruins of the ancient Nineveh.
***Rehoboth, and Calah, c.*** — Nothing certain is known concerning the situation of these places conjecture is endless, and it has been amply indulged by learned men in seeking for *Rehoboth* in the *Birtha* of Ptolemy, *Calah* in *Calachine, Resen* in *Larissa, &c.,* *&c*.

Verse [Genesis 10:13](../../../kjv/genesis/10/13). ***Mizraim begat Ludim*** — Supposed to mean the inhabitants of the *Mareotis*, a canton in Egypt, for the name *Ludim* is evidently the name of a people.
***Anamim*** — According to Bochart, the people who inhabited the district about the temple of Jupiter Ammon.
***Lehabim*** — The *Libyans*, or a people who dwelt on the west of the *Thebaid*, and were called *Libyo-Egyptians*.
***Naphtuhim*** — Even the conjectures can scarcely fix a place for these people. Bochart seems inclined to place them in *Marmarica*, or among the Troglodytae.

Verse [Genesis 10:14](../../../kjv/genesis/10/14). ***Pathrusim*** — The inhabitants of the *Delta*, in Egypt, according to the Chaldee paraphrase; but, according to Bochart, the people who inhabited the Thebaid, called *Pathros* in Scripture.
***Casluhim*** — The inhabitants of *Colchis*; for almost all authors allow that Colchis was peopled from Egypt.
***Philistim*** — The people called *Philistines*, the constant plagues and frequent oppressors of the Israelites, whose history may be seen at large in the books of Samuel, Kings, &c.
***Caphtorim*** — Inhabitants of *Cyprus* according to Calmet.

Verse [Genesis 10:15](../../../kjv/genesis/10/15). ***Sidon*** — Who probably built the city of this name, and was the father of the *Sidonians*.
***Heth*** — From whom came the Hittites, so remarkable among the Canaanitish nations.

Verse [Genesis 10:16](../../../kjv/genesis/10/16). ***The Jebusite - Amorite, &c.*** — Are well known as being the ancient inhabitants of Canaan, expelled by the children of Israel.

Verse [Genesis 10:20](../../../kjv/genesis/10/20). ***These are the sons of Ham after their families*** — No doubt all these were well known in the days of Moses, and for a long time after; but at this distance, when it is considered that the political state of the world has been undergoing almost incessant revolutions through all the intermediate portions of time, the impossibility of fixing their residences or marking their descendants must be evident, as both the *names* of the people and the *places* of their residences have been changed beyond the possibility of being recognized.

Verse [Genesis 10:21](../../../kjv/genesis/10/21). ***Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber*** — It is generally supposed that the *Hebrews* derived their name from *Eber* or *Heber*, son of Shem; but it appears much more likely that they had it from the circumstance of Abraham *passing over* (for so the word עבר *abar* signifies) the river Euphrates to come into the land of Canaan. See the history of Abraham, [Genesis 14:13](../../../kjv/genesis/14/13).

Verse [Genesis 10:22](../../../kjv/genesis/10/22). ***Elam*** — From whom came the *Elamites*, near to the Medes, and whose chief city was *Elymais*.
***Asshur*** — Who gave his name to a vast province (afterwards a mighty empire) called *Assyria*.
***Arphaxad*** — From whom *Arrapachitis* in Assyria was named, according to some; or *Artaxata* in Armenia, on the frontiers of Media, according to others.
***Lud*** — The founder of the *Lydians*. In Asia Minor; or of the *Ludim*, who dwelt at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris, according to *Arias Montanus*.
***Aram.*** — The father of the Arameans, afterwards called *Syrians*.

Verse [Genesis 10:23](../../../kjv/genesis/10/23). ***Uz*** — Who peopled *Caelosyria*, and is supposed to have been the founder of *Damascus*.
***Hul*** — Who peopled a part of *Armenia*.
***Gether*** — Supposed by Calmet to have been the founder of the *Itureans*, who dwelt beyond the Jordan, having Arabia Deserta on the east, and the Jordan on the west.
***Mash.*** — Who inhabited mount *Masius* in Mesopotamia, and from whom the river *Mazeca*, which has its source in that mountain, takes its name.

Verse [Genesis 10:24](../../../kjv/genesis/10/24). ***Salah*** — The founder of the people of *Susiana*.
***Eber.*** — See [Genesis 10:21](../../../kjv/genesis/10/21). The Septuagint add *Cainan* here, with *one hundred and thirty* to the chronology.

Verse [Genesis 10:25](../../../kjv/genesis/10/25). ***Peleg*** — From פלג *palag*, to divide, because *in his* *days*, which is supposed to be about *one hundred* years after the flood, *the earth was divided* among the sons of Noah. Though some are of opinion that a *physical* division, and not a *political* one, is what is intended here, viz., a separation of continents and islands from the main land; the earthy parts having been united into one great continent previously to the days of Peleg. This opinion appears to me the most likely, for what is said, [Genesis 10:5](../../../kjv/genesis/10/5), is spoken by way of *anticipation*.

Verse [Genesis 10:26-30](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26-30). ***Joktan*** — He had *thirteen* sons who *had their* *dwelling from Mesha unto Sephar, a mount of the east*, which places Calmet supposes to be mount *Masius*, on the west in *Mesopotamia*, and the mountains of the *Saphirs* on the east in Armenia, or of the *Tapyrs* farther on in Media.
In confirmation that all men have been derived from one family, let it be observed that there are many customs and usages, both sacred and civil, which have prevailed in all parts of the world; and that these could owe their origin to nothing but a general institution, which could never have existed, had not mankind been originally of the same blood, and instructed in the same common notions before they were dispersed. Among these usages may be reckoned,
1. The numbering by *tens*.
2. Their computing time by a cycle of *seven* days.
3. Their setting apart the *seventh* day for religious purposes.
4. Their use of *sacrifices, propitiatory* and *eucharistical*.
5. The consecration of *temples* and *altars*.
6. The institution of *sanctuaries* or places of refuge, and their privileges.
7. Their giving a *tenth* part of the produce of their fields, c., for the use of the altar.
8. The custom of worshipping the Deity *bare-footed*.
9. Abstinence of the men from all sensual gratifications previously to their offering sacrifice.
10. The order of *priesthood* and its support.
11. The notion of legal pollutions, defilements, &c.
12. The universal tradition of a general deluge.
13. The universal opinion that the *rainbow* was a Divine *sign*, or *portent*, &c., &c.
See *Dodd*.
The wisdom and goodness of God are particularly manifested in repeopling the earth by means of *three persons*, all of the same family, and who had witnessed that awful display of Divine justice in the destruction of the world by the flood, while themselves were preserved in the ark. By this very means the true religion was propagated over the earth for the sons of Noah would certainly teach their children, not only the precepts delivered to their father by God himself, but also how in his justice he had brought the flood on the world of the ungodly, and by his merciful providence preserved *them* from the general ruin. It is on this ground alone that we can account for the uniformity and universality of the above traditions, and for the grand outlines of religious truth which are found in every quarter of the world. God has so done his marvellous works that they may be had in everlasting remembrance.

Verse [Genesis 10:27](../../../kjv/genesis/10/27). [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26); [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26).

Verse [Genesis 10:28](../../../kjv/genesis/10/28). [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26); [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26).

Verse [Genesis 10:29](../../../kjv/genesis/10/29). [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26); [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26).

Verse [Genesis 10:30](../../../kjv/genesis/10/30). [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26); [Genesis 10:26](../../../kjv/genesis/10/26).

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