Shem

Meaning: name; renown

the first mentioned of the sons of Noah (Genesis 5:32; 6:10)

He was probably the eldest of Noah's sons. The words “brother of Japheth the elder” in Genesis 10:21 are more correctly rendered “the elder brother of Japheth,” as in the Revised King James Version. Shem's name is generally mentioned first in the list of Noah's sons. He and his wife were saved in the ark (7:13). Noah foretold his preeminence over Canaan (9:23-27).

He died at the age of 600 years, having been for many years contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual chronology. The Israelitish nation sprang from him (Genesis 11:10-26; 1 Chronicles 1:24-27).

The following table shows how his his descendants dispersed after the Tower of Babel:

       SHEM
         —Elam
              Persian tribes
         —Asshur
              Assyrian
         —Arphaxad
              ~ Abraham
                   Isaac
                     —Jacob
                          Hebrews
                     —Esau
                          Edomites
                   Ishmael
                      Mingled with Arab tribes
         —Lud
              Lydians
         —Aram
              Syrians

Relatives

• Father: Noah
• Mother: not named—Who was Mrs. Noah? What was she like? Learn about this rarely mentioned, but important woman.
• Brothers: Ham, Japheth
• Wife: not named
• Sons: Asshur, Elam, Lud, Aram
• Daughters: not named or numbered

ALSO SEE:

• Deluge (the Flood