21 Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of Japheth, children were born. 22 The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad fathered Shelah; and Shelah fathered Eber. 25 Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

26 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all of these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Now their settlement extended from Mesha going toward Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, and according to their nations.

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their descendants, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.

Genesis 10:21-32 (NASB) 

Shem to Abraham

Now for the descendents of the oldest of Noah’s sons, Shem. First to note is that the Israelites came from the line of Shem (Genesis 11:26). As we’ll see later in Genesis, eventually the nation of Israel was chosen (through Abraham) and raised up by God for His special purpose. “When the two lines of Shem are compared (10:21-31; 11:10-26), there is a striking divergence at the point of Eber’s descendants, Peleg and Joktan [v. 25]. In chap. 10 Peleg is dropped altogether after his mention, while the nonelect line of Joktan is detailed. It is left to the second lineage in chap. 11 to trace out Peleg’s role as ancestral father of Abraham.” (Planobiblechapel.org)

Israel is central

The main point for the genealogies with all the detail is to trace the lineage of the Israelites as well as those that are related to them (like the Canaanites yesterday). Scholars who pay close attention have noted that there is something peculiar about the description of the lands that these people established and moved to. “The three geographical arcs of the branches intersect at the center—that is, Canaan, Israel’s future homeland.” (Planobiblechapel.org)

Other

Worth noting is the mention of Peleg (not peg leg), “for in his days the earth was divided”. Some creation scientists take that to refer to continental drift. Others say no, can’t be. I’d probably find myself with the “nay’s” since that drift would have taken a long time and/or need some cataclysmic forces – like the flood.

RЯeflection

• Let’s give God glory for giving us His Word in which He gives us great detail about history, at least the history that is part of His story.