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Shem

A son of Noah, whose descendants, according to Genesis, include the line continuing through Arphaxad to Abraham; the term 'Semitic' derives from his name.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Hebrew Bible (Genesis), with other tellings (Masoretic Text (Hebrew Bible), Septuagint (Greek translation), Jewish and Christian rabbinic and patristic tradition) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Parents
Noah · Noah's wife (unnamed in the text)
Siblings
Ham · Japheth
Children
Lud · Aram · Elam · Asshur · Arphaxad

Introduction

Shem is a son of Noah, one of the three sons (with Ham and Japheth) who survived the flood. His descendants, listed in Genesis 10 and 11, include the line that continues through Arphaxad, Eber and eventually to Abraham, and the modern term "Semitic" is derived from his name.

Family

After the flood

Shem is listed among Noah's sons who survived the flood and repopulated the earth afterward. In the episode of Noah's drunkenness, Shem, along with Japheth, is commended for covering their father's nakedness respectfully, in contrast to Ham's conduct, and Noah blesses Shem, saying "Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem".

Descendants

Genesis 10, the Table of Nations, lists Shem's descendants as including Elam, Asshur, Lud, Aram and Arphaxad, among others. Genesis 11 continues the genealogy specifically through Arphaxad down to Terah and his son Abraham, making Shem the ancestor of the line the rest of Genesis follows most closely.

Sources

  1. Genesis 10:21-31 (primary text) — https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+10%3A21-31&version=NRSVUE
  2. Genesis 9:18-27 (primary text) — https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+9%3A18-27&version=NRSVUE
  3. Genesis 11:10-26 (primary text) — https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11%3A10-26&version=NRSVUE

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.