An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
For a more profitable dealing upon this Scripture, and to avoid vain discourse upon true genealogies, as well as vain fabulous genealogies themselves, it is requisit to premise somthing necessary to beforeknown concerning the scope, use, order, and parts of this Chapter.
1. The scope of the Spirit here is mainly to draw out the line of the Church, which we see afterward he fingleth out, laying aside the mention of other nations. It is not therefore to be expected, that here God should give an exact genealogie of the world; which some have desired, and others because they finde it not here, have found out fables to satisfie their own phancies. What was enough for us to know God hath set down, and more we need not, it belonging not to faith, as the matters of the Church do: by which the Spirit here would instruct us unto life.
2. The use of this scripture is manifold.
1. To prove the truth of Gods promise for multiplying Noachs seed and filling the earth, as within 100 years after the flood is wonderful to behold.
2. To give a true history of the rise of man after the flood, and to confute fabulous fictions.
3. To shew the descent of the Church from Noah together with the Covenant and manifestations of God unto them, at several times.
4. To discover the line of Christ according to the flesh.
5. To give understanding of prophetical Scriptures which mention severall persons and things in this line.
3. The order of giving this history or genealogy is arbitrary to the Spirit; he begin's with Jepheth the elder, and then proceeds to Cham the yonger, and lastly to Schem and his posterity not to diminish his dignity but because he was to proceed in the history of the Church from him; he mentions the other first, and so layeth them aside.
4. The parts of this Chapter, general may be.
1. A general title of the contents. Ver. 1
2. A special relation of a threefold genealogy.
1. Of Jepheth, Ver. 2.5.
2. Of Cham, Ver. 6.20.
3. Of Schem, Ver. 21 31.
3. A summary conclusion, Ver. 32.
The first thus followeth.
Ver. 1.Ver. 1. And these are the generations of the sonnes of Noach, Schem, Cham and Jepheth, and to them were born sonnes after the flood. Sept. and Cald. same.
In which title may be considerable.
1. The connection of this to the former history. Noach had prophesied before concerning all his sonnes, and then was added his expiration, the Spirit meaning to speak no more of him: but now that being done, he proceeds to shew you the persons and posterity upon whom all these words were to be fulfilled, and, or but, or now, these are, &c. Gods word must not fall to the ground.
2. The matter here reported, which is but a general proposition of the contents of the whole Chapter, wherein we may point out to observation.
1. The nature of the thing spoken of, generations — Whence as of other like occasions this book is stiled in Greek, Genesis which note a continued line for several descents and ages.
2. The propriety of these, spoken of. (1) Collectively, The generations of the sonnes of Noach, such as they begat and did issue from them. (2) Particularly by name, Schem, Cham, and Jepheth, where Schem hath the place of dignity.
3. The way of propagating these generations, expressed thus, — And there were born unto them sonnes; the way of performing Gods promise was by generation and birth, of which the males are onelyonly named, not the daughters, though they must needs be understood; the nobler sexe being sufficient to declare the line. (4) The time expresly hinted, after the flood, or that flood, as some emphatically. The expression notes the time; with the sad import of the judgment which wasted all the world, save eight persons, yet, at such a time, and after such a sweeping flood, God commands it and man becomes fruitful to people the earth againe.
Take some Notes from it.
D. 1. Gods Prophesies and performance are joined together in his word, so they should in our faith and observation.
D. 2. Genealogie according to truth is the Spirits worke, and useful to the Church of God.
D. 3. Variety of lines hath God drawn out from one root to discover the variety of his wisdom.
D. 4. Good and bad may have the outward blessing of the fruit of the body.
D. 5. Propagation by birth serveth Gods providence to bring forth multitudes promised.
D. 6. Saddest desolations in the world cannot hinder God from his worke to preserve a seed.
D. 7. The truest history of Ages must be drawn now from the flood. V. 1.
2. The special genealogy followeth, and first the line of Jepheth, in these Verses.
Ver. 2.Ver. 2. The Sonnes of Jepheth, Gomer, and Magog and Madai, and Javan and Tubal and M…scheth and Thiras. Cald. same. — Gamar. Joinan, Thobel, and Mosoch, Sept.
Ver. 3. And the Sonnes of Gomer, Aschcenaz, and Riphath and Togarmah. Sept. and Cald. same.
Ver. 4. And the Sonnes of Javan, Elishah and Tharshich, Cithim and Dodanim. Sept. and Cald to same.
Ver. 5. From these were the Isles of the Nations divided in their Lands, a man to his tongue, to their families among their Nations, — Every one according to their language in their tribes and in their Nations Sept. — According to their families in their people. Cald.
In this passage two Heads are eminent.
1. The line drawn out to three branches, (1) The direct line from Jepheth of whom is here reported, that he had 7 Sonnes issuing from his own body; what more issue he had, the Scripture mentioneth not; and yet it is not to be doubted but that he had more. That from th…se came the Gentiles under promise is clear, but to point out the posterity and several Nations certainly issuing from these is too hard for man to do: The holy record is so short in this matter. All then is but probability.
1. Gomer. His name is used, Ezek. 38.6. noting a Northern people, from Canaan, called by some Cimmerians, some fetch the Danes from them.
2. Magog, a people likewise by this name were known. Ezek. 38.2. And a fire threatned upon them from the Lord. Ezek. 39.6. It is thought they were the Scythians. Spiritual enemies noted by them. Rev. 20.8.
3. Madai, from whom a people were afterward called, by the same Name, Isaiah. 21.2. Which is rendred the Medes Isaiah. 13.17. Or the Macedoniers. So Mede.
4. Javan, a people are mentioned by his Name. Isai. 60.19. Ezek. 27.13. These are conceived to be the Grecians, called Jonan in the Greek. Whence Jones.
5. Thubal, a people are named also of him. Ezek. 27.13. Traders &c. Who joyned with Gog against the Church. Ezek. 38.2, 3. These are conceived to be the Albanians, Chaldeans, Ibezians, now Spaniards.
6. Mescheth. This notes a people joined with Thubal. Ezek. 27.13, &c. And as is conceived points out the Capadocians, or more northern, the Muscovites. Ezek. ch. 38. v. 2, 3.
7. Thiras. Mention of him is onelyonly again, 1 Chron. 1.5. Some think the Tyrians, others the Thracians to be his issue. These are all reckoned from Jepheth himself, but doubtless not all the Children which he had. Thus much the Spirit thought fit to record. Ver. 2.
2. The line subordinat, next mentioned is from his Son Gomer, of whom a threefold issue is related.
1. Aschcenaz. A people is named of him who helped the Medes against Babilon. Jer. 51.27. These are conceived to dwell in Asia, as Phrygie Minol and Froy. The Jewes make the Germans his issue.
2. Riphath called Diphath. 1 Chron. 1. v. 6. No where els mentioned, of him are thought to come the Paphlagonians, a people in Lesser Asia. Mede thinks these of Pontus and Bithinia.
3. Togarmah, a people is named of this man. Ezek. 27.14. For merchants. Ezek. 38.6. Some make the Germans this people. It is certain they were a Northern Nation. Ver. 3.Ver. 3. Mede, Phrygia Major, and Galatia.
3. The next line is drawn from Javan, another son of Jepheth; and the issue of no more but these two sonnes is recorded, however it is not to be doubted, but his other sonnes had their issue. The sonnes of this were. (From Javan are the Greecians.)
1. Elischag, Ver. 4.a people is mentioned of him. Ezek. 27.7. Merchants who fold blue and purple to Tyrus. Some think the Aeolians in Asia the lesse are of him. Mede, Achayans and Peloponesians.
2. Tharschisch, a people of this name is read also, Ezek. 27.12.25. Cilicia is thought to be their Country, wherein Tarsus was a famous City, where Paul was born. Act. 21.39.
3. Kittim, a people is spoken of by this name, Numb. 24.24. Isai. 23.1. Jer. 2.10. What now they are called is uncertain. Some translate the word Romans, Cald. Some Italians, Lat. Mede, Carians, Licians, and Pamphilians.
4. Dodanim, read Rodanim, 1 Chron. ch. 1. ver. 7. What people are now from these is uncertain. Some think the Dorians about Greece. Ver. 4. made the Epirotes. So here we have recorded from Jephet, onelyonly 7 Sonnes, and 7 grand Children, of whom it is clear they were a Northern people from Canaan: but what remainders of them are now after so many alterations, cannot be known. It is an ingenuous allusion of the seven Churches in Asia, to these seven Sonnes of Jepheth, and so an instance of the fulfilling of Noahs prophesy in part, but it riseth not naturally from the text.
2. The setled habitation of these, wherein note.
1. The Subject inhabiting or seated, expressed thus, from these, that is, these Sonnes of Jepheth with their offspring, which are not mentioned.
2. The place inhabited, the Isles of the Gentiles, which were not onelyonly proper Islands, but all places whereunto the Hebrewes could not passe but by sea. Here two words are used, but the Isles are somtime read Nations themselves. Isaiah. 11.11. — Isaiah. 42.4. Jer. 25.23.
3. Their bounds given them they were divided, — that is, by lot, or line, as is probable Noah before his death from God might be instructed so to dispose the seed of Jepheth, furthest off. It was not without Gods hand.
4. The rule of this division, which take's two part's.
1. Every one according to his tongue or language, — A man to his tongue, that is, every man according to his speech, which must needs be after Gods curse upon Babel, in confounding this language of man, for before all were of one tongue.
2. According to their families or tribes in their Nations. — That is, being ranked into heads of families, each betook themselves to shipping, and so to inhabit the coasts appointed, and there to fear God; however it fell out otherwise shortly after.
Thus the Genealogy of Jepheth is dispatched and his Sonnes sent away, as taking their lot in more remote places from their brethren.
Chams residence was neerer Schem, which Moses therefore reserveth, having many things of their neighbour-hood to record.
Some Notes from it.
D. 1. The lines of men should guide us to observe the wisdom and goodnes of the Providence of God; much is to be seen in this line of the Gentiles.
D. 2. All the Gentiles however Apostat came from the Church of God at first.
D. 3. Gods brevity in drawing the line of the Gentiles should curb mans curiosity.
D. 4. All the Seed from Jepheth, they are Gentiles under the promise. God shall perswade. V. 2, 3, 4.
D. 5. The divisions and bounds of habitations have bin set unto the Gentiles by God. Act. 17.26.
D. 6. Division of tongues was made the rule to divide Nations, and dwellings.
D. 7. The Gentiles have distinctly bin seated also according to Tribes, and Families.
D. 8. God will not have the Gentiles Japhets seed forgotten, however now divided in the earth. He therefore hath given their line and Original. Ver. 5.Ver. 5.
2. The line of Cham the yongest Son of Noach is described, wherein occurreth:
1. His immediat issue from his own body.
Ver. 6.Ver. 6. And the Sonnes of Cham, Chush, and Misraim, and Phut, and Kenaan. Sept. and Cald. to same. Herein foure Sonnes are named issuing from Cham.
1. Chush, this the Father of the Ethiopians or black Mores, the Arabians and Mores, Isai. 37.9. Jer. 13.23. 2 Kings 19.9. 1 Esther 1. Num. 12.1.
2. Misraim, the Father of the Egyptians: the land of Misraim named by the Prophets is called Egypt. Hosea 11.1. Mat. 2.15.
3. Phut: his Genealogie is here silenced, but a people called by his name the Prophet mentioneth. Ezek. 27. v. 10. and 38.5. Lybians. Jer. 46.9.
4. Kenaan: that Son that had the curse pronounced on him by Noach, the Father of the Canaanites, of whom Moses especially here writeth, whose Land was to be given to Israel.
2. His line derived from these Sonnes, which is threefold. For of Phut no line appears.
1. The race of Cush named as followeth.
Ver. 7.Ver. 7. And the Sonnes of Cush, Seba, and Chavilah, and Sabtah, and Rayamah, and Sabthecah; and the Sonnes of Rayamah, Sheba, and Dedan. Sept. and Cald. to same. Evilah. Regma, recorded. Here are two descents from Chush: (1) Immediat, in five Sonnes named.
Saba, Gr.1. Seba, the Father of the Sabeans, mixt with the Arabians, as is thought, Ps. 72.10.
2. Chavila, Gr. Evila: this is conceived to be Father of some of those mixt people in Arabia. Sure it must not be mistaken for that Chavilah in Schems line. Ver. 29.
3. Sabtah, Gr. Sabatha, conceived to be Father of a Seed dwelling southward in Ethiopia from whence the Queen of Sheba came. 1 Kings 10. Others of a people in Arabia.
Regma, Gr.4. Ramayah, supposed the Father of a people in Arabia the fruitful, mentioned Ezek. 27.22.
5. Sabthecha, Gr. Sabbathaca, supposed likewise a Father of a people in Arabia.
(2) Mediat from his Sonne Rayamah, two Sonnes.
1. Sheba, from this a people in the south of Arabia are conceived. Merchants.
2. Dedan, supposed Father of a people neighbouring under that Climat. Merchants also. Ezek. 27.22.
3. A special history of one immediat issue besides all these from Cush. ver. 8, 12.
Ver. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod, he began to be a mighty one in the Earth. Cald. same. — Nembrod. He began to be a gyant, &c. Sept.
Ver. 9. He was mighty for hunting to the face of Jehovah, therefore it is said, as Nimrod mighty for hunting to the face of God —A gyant dog hunter before the Lord God, therefore they shall say, as Nembrod, &c. Sept. — A strong or violent man before the Lord. Cald.
Ver. 10. And the beginning of his Kingdom was Babel, and Er…c, and Acad, and Calneh in the Land of Shinar. Sept. same. Land of Babel. Cald.
Ver. 11. Out of that Land he went out to Aschur and built Nineveh, and Rehoboth the City and Calach. Ashur went out. Sept. and Cald. same.
Ver. 12. And Resen between Niniveh and between Calach, the same is a great City Dasem. Sept. and Cald.
The singular report of this Sonne is not without some special intent of the Spirit of of God to have him noted, and an eminent expression of one main part of the curse on Cham, executed on this Seed in giving him up to sin.
Herein we have to note more specially.
1. The birth of this Son by itself related thus, V. 8.Ver. 8. — And Cush begat Nimrod, whether before or after his other sonnes is not mentioned. Some think, he was begotten in adultery, and therefore is not reckoned with his other sonnes: but non constat. His name notes a Rebel.
2. The Character of him, which is various.
1. His power thus expressed, — He began to be a mighty one in the Earth. The seventy, a gyant. (1) The power here spoken of may be in bulke of body, or in authority usurped, or in cruelty exercised. (2) The rise of it after the flood, it began in him. (3) The extent unto which he spreads it, the earth, or so far as he could reach.
2. The exercise of this power, recorded summarily, Ver. 9.Ver. 9. He was mighty in hunting to the face of Jehovah. — Herein is expressed the acting of his power.foreign (1) The work wherein it was put forth was in hunting. A dog leader, or such an huntsman, the Greek readeth it, who pursued beasts; that he might do, but man hunting is most properly understood here, such as we read of Jer. 16.16. Lam. 3.52. and 4.18. (2) The specification, or aggravation of it, to the face of Jehovah, or before Jehovah. One way it may note the object of his hunting or persecution, Gods face in his Saints, for it is evident he makes inrodes into the east among Shems posterity, there to build his Babel, or els it may be read as an aggravation of it, that thus he hunted Soules to destroy them, even to the very eyes or face of God, while he looked on, who sent the deluge.
3. The proverb made upon him, declared in the following words, — Therefore it shall be said, or it was taken up as a proverb, concerning any cruell oppressours and persecutor's, They were as Nimrods hunting mightily against God, or before his face.
4. The rise or head of his dominion,Ver. 10. is next particularly discovered, — And the beginning &c. Whence first we may see confirmed, his hunting was after Kingdomes and Dominions, which were not gotten without the blood of men. 1. The rise or beginning of his power is signified, or els the chief places of his Dominion, both may be coucht here. (2) The places named. (1) Babel, or Babilon, in the East, which belonged to Schem. So we see the tents of the Church he hunted, this also seems to note that his hunting was after the confounding of languages, upon the building of that tower, for upon that occasion it was called Babel: In which work it is probable he was a ring-leader, and afterward beginneth his violence from thence. (2) Erech, supposed Edessa in Mesopotamia. 3. Accad, supposed Nisibis in Mesopotamia. (4) Calneh, mentioned Am. 6. ver. 2. supposed Callinisum a much fortified place. (5) The continent of all these the Land Shinear, noted to be Caldea, signifying, That which scattered, called the Land of Nimrod, Micah. 5.6. It is the habitation of wickednes. Zech. 5.11. Hence breaketh out the violence of this man.
5. The extent of his Dominion, — which is read two wayes. (1) Conquering. (1) Out of that Land Ashur went out: Ver. 11.supposed of the posterity of Shem. Whom Nimrod drove away, but it is more than probable, that Ashur is not here meant, but the name of a country.
2. Out of that land he went out into Ashur or Assyria, that is Nimrod to inlarge his dominions, of whom here it is recorded, which seems most rational. (2) Building thereby declaring that he was not content to live as the Church in tents. He doth as Cain think to secure himself, by building Cities and places of strength. Whereof four are named. (1) Nineveh, Jonas 1. famous for and by Jonas Prophesy.
2. Recoboth, this is conceived not an appellative, but a proper name, though some annexe it to Nineveh, reading by apposition, a City of streets.
3. Caleh. (4) Resen between Nineveh and Calach. (5) An adjunct to set out by emphasis the statelines of Nineveh, it was a great City.
Quest. But was Nimrod to be blamed, are not powers of God?
Answ. One commends Nimrod. Ab. Ezra. But falsly.
1. Powers are Gods, but not wicked usurpation. (2) This was Nimrods case, for which the Spirit brands him
Note from it.
D. 1. The most cursed man may have a numerous seed: it inlargeth the curse. All these of Cham. Ver. 6.7.
D. 2. Cursed ones bring out somtimes an eminent rebellious seed to hasten vengeance. Nimrod. V. 8.
D. 3. The greatest judgments will not keep wicked ones from sin though being but a little escaped, from them.
D. 4. VnderUnder a wise providence, power and violence is suffered to rise and spring in the earth. V. 8.
D. 5. It is the property of giants in sin and earthly power to hunt to death Gods Saints to his face.
D. 6. God makes in vengeance the names of such wicked ones a proverb. Ver. 9.
D. 7. The beginning and chief of all the power of wicked ones, is but confusion, and the place of wickkednes. Babel and Shinar. V. 10.
D. 8. Wicked Potentats are still invading others to inlarge themselves. Ver. 11.
D. 9. Edifying cities, and places of strength, is the wickeds security.
D. 10. Great cities they may have, but such as are under the eye and judgment of God. V. 12.Ver. 12.
2. The race of Mitsraim followeth, who was another Son of Cham,
Ver. 13.Ver. 13. And Mitsraim begat Ludim, and Vanamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuchim. Cald. same. — foreign. — &c. plural. Sep.
Ver. 14.Ver. 14. And Pathrusim and Casluchim where from thence went out Pelischtim and Caphtorim. — And the Cappadocians. Cal. for Caphtor. — Patrosanim and Cascanim, &c. Sep.
In this line is observable that the names of father and sonnes do end in Im. which notes the plural number Hebr. And so the Sep. Readeth them as names of nations or people. It is rightly conceived, that both the heads and people comming from them are meant by these as Mitsraim, notes the father of Egypt. And the Egyptians. So the names of all his sonnes noting themselves and the people issuing from them, all conceived belonging to Egypt.
1. Ludim, the son, and the people, from him in Egypt.
2. Yananim, the son. And the inhabitants of Pentapolis.
3. Lehabim, the son, and his of spring, Libians, different, from the V. 6.
4. Naphtuchim, the son, and his seed, Ethiops in Egypt.
5. Pathrusim, the son and his seed, in Pathros. Isaiah. 11.11.
6. Casluchim, the Son and his seed, in Cassiotis of Egypt. From these went out a people into a tract of land-neer-called Palestina: the Philistims bitter enemies to the Church. Five dominions of them are mentioned, Ioshua. 13.3.
7. Caphtorim, the son and seed, the Cald. calleth them Cappadocians, some read this before the former sentence, and Caphtorim, so that from thence went out Pelischtim, by an Hysterosis which is confirmed. Amos. 9.7. But these are thought to be a people belonging to one of the dominions of Egypt.
Take some Notes, about these Nations
D. 1. The onelyonly wise providence hath ordered the overflowing of nations in number and power above his Church.
D. 2. Numbers in the wickeds race do but extend or spread the curse.
D. 3. All those numbers cannot exempt from desolation. Jer. 47. Amos. 9.7.
D. 4. Grace hath freely visited such enemies as these to save a remnant of them. Isaiah. 19. v. 25. Ver. 13.14.
3. The race of Kenaan the last son of Cham is thus described as followeth.
Ver. 15.Ver. 15. And Kenayan begat Tsidon, his first born and Cheth, Cal. same for foreign Sep.
Ver. 16.Ver. 16. And the Jebusit, and the Emorite, and the Girgasite. Sep. and Cal. same
Ver. 17.Ver. 17. And the Chivite, and the Yarkite, and the Sinite, 6. To same Sep. Adde foreign.
Ver. 18.Ver. 18. And the Arvadite, and the Tsemarite and the Chamathite; And afterward were the families of the Cananite spread abroad, or they spread themselves. Aradite. Sep. and Cald.
Ver. 19.Ver. 19. And the bound of the Canayanite was from Tsidon, untill thou come to Gerar, even unto Yazzah, untill thou come to Sedom, and Yamorah and Admah, and Tseboim even unto Lasehay. — reaching to Gerar, &c. Cald. Sep. same.
Ver. 20.Ver. 20. These are the sonnes of Cham, by their families, by their tongues, in their lands, in their nations. — Tribes, tongues, region…, Nations, Sep. — kinreds, tongues, lands, people, Cald.
In this genealogie are recited to observation. (1) The issues, which were eleven sonnes and the nations which arose from them. (1) Tsidon father of the Sidonians, founder of Tsidon, the great city with which Tyre is reckoned. Matt. 11.
2. Cheth, Father of the Hittites. Genesis: 15.20.
3. Iebusi, Father of the Jebusites. Deut. 7.1.
4. Emory of whom the Amorites. Ibid.
5. Girgasy of whom the Girgasits. Ibid. Mat. 8.28.
6. Chivy, of whom the Hivits. Ibid.
7. Arky, of whom Arkites, not read of in the Scripture.
8. Siny, of whom the Sinits, not mentioned, but here.
9. Arvady, of whom the Arvadites, not read of further.
10. Semary, of whom the Semarites not read more of, onelyonly a city mentioned. Ioshua. 18.21.
11. Chamathy, of whom a name was given to a whole region, Amos. 6.2.
These names may be Gentile; not onelyonly personal but national.
2. Their dispersion in the earth, expressed in the remainder of the 18. ver. — and afterward, were the families of the Cananite spread abroad. that is all these of springs of Kenaan were dispersed in the earth, the border of whose habitations is afterward written. (3) Their bounds and border is expressed, from Tsidon. Northwest, unto Sodom, &c. South East of the land of Canaan; all which Moses describeth, pointing out to Israel the inheritance, designed them by God.
Tsidon and Yazzah, two famous Cities situate by the sea, upon North-west and Southwest. Sodom &c. noted, North-east, and South east.
4. The close of this genealogie. These are the sonnes, &c, which onelyonly sheweth us.
1. The general summe of the line, these all were the sonnes of Cham.
2. The special distinction of them. (1) By their families or tribes. (2) By the tongues, which noteth their separation was after the confusion of Languages.
(3) By those lands, regions, and habitations. (4) By the nations, or peoples which arose from them.
Take some notes from this passage.
D. 1. The wicked'st men may have the most numerous progeny, so Kenaan, above his brethren.
D. 2. The wicked have spread the line of their habitation very farre, God so ordering it.
D. 3. The best of habitations on earth may the vilest of the sonnes of men possesse.
D. 4. The habitations of the wicked, are pointed out somtimes to be the inheritance of Saints. For purpose Moses mentions them. Ver. 15.19.
D. 5. All these prosperous sinners are but Chams seed,
D. 6. The wicked are known by their own families, tongues, lands and people, not by Gods. Ver. 20.
3. The genealogy of Schem the third son of Noach now followeth; he for his dignity and as a Father of the Church is named before the rest-several times, but with order to the succeeding history about the Church, his line is here described last. Which is two wayes here drawn out.
1. Generally, comprehending some part of the line of the Church, with the collateral issues, which turned from it. Thus in this Chapter.
2 Specially from Schem drawing the direct line unto Abraham. Cap. 11.10. So that between these two in the beginning of the 11th Chapter, is inserted the state of all these children of Noah until the confounding of the languages, and the cause of that judgment. The general line takes up this Chapter. Wherein observe.
1. The immediat issue of Schem is related.
Ver. 21.Ver. 21. And to Schem was born, or there was a birth even he the Father of all the children of Y…ber, the brother of Jepheth the great or elder. foreign Sept. foreign Cald.
Ver. 22. The sonnes of Schem, Yeilam and Aschur Arpacschad, & Lud, & Aram — Arphaxad, and one more Cainan. Sept. Cald. same.
In this passage we have to observe. (1) The head or Father of this line set forth.
1. By his name, Schem, it notes a name and that an eminent one, God was pleased to make him a man of name, famous for the relation he had to the Church, as being the Father of it next unto Noah.
2. By his relation of paternity expressed thus — He also was the Father of all the children of Heber.
The weight of this is considerable.
1. In the correlatum, the children of Heber; now this is not to be understood of all his children; but of them which were gathered into Gods Church onelyonly, which continued in the line to Christ; the Hebrewes were they called from Heber; that Church wherein Moses now ministred; for whose comfort doubtles he mentions this. (2) In the term of relation, he is called their Father however he was the great grand Father of them, yet here he is reckoned in the nearest relation, (he is called the very Father of them. 3. In the reason of this relation, which was mostly spiritual, that the name of Schem should be named upon them, upon whom the blessing was manifested; that the Lord God became his peculiarly, and so theirs, for as much as the same blessing came to them. Gen. 17.7. (3) By his relation of fraternity, recorded in the close of the Ver. 21. The brother of Jepheth the great. Heb. the greater, Sept. wherein we may note also. (1). The term of relation, Brother, so he was of the same Father and Mother, and no less also brother to Cham. (2) The correlat Iepheth, set out by an adjunct of his majority in years, the elder or; the greater so he appeared to be in former discoveries compare. Gen. 5.32. with Gen. 11.10. Others have made a quarrel whether it should not be joined to Schem, as if he were the elder brother of Jepheth, which the reason of the Scripture considered cannot be.
3. The ground of this relation seemeth to be some spiritual good wherein God would make them sharers together, as perswading Jepheth to dwell in the tents of Schem: otherwise Cham might have been named as well as Jepheth.
2. The issue ascribed to him: (1) In a general term, there was born to him, or there was a birth to him: that is God gave him to be fruitful as the other sonnes.
2. In special, or by name, Ver. 22. Where we have 5 sonnes reckoned of Schem.
1. Elam, of whom the Elamits or Persians, enemies to the Church, yet finding mercy in the promise. Gen. 14. v. 1. Isai. 21.2.22.6. Jer. 49.36.39.
2. Aschur the Father of the Assyrians great scourgers to Israel. Isai. 10.5. 2 Kings. 15.19.29.
3. Arpacschad, Conceived the Father of the Caldeans, no special genealogie is given of him but that he begat Salah, and was of Christs line. Luke 3.30.
4. Lud. From whom the Lydians are reckoned, who were of Asia, not those of Africa, which descended of Mitsraim, Son of Cham.
5. Aram, of whom the Aramits or the Syrians as they are called: great enemies to the Church. Judg. 3.10. This land of Aram had many parts wherefore we read of Padan-Aram. Gen. 28.2. Aram-Naharaim. Gen. 24.10. Aram of Damascus. 2. Sam. 8.6. Aram-Zobah. Psalm. 60.2. — Aram Maacah. 1. Chron. 19.6. And Aram Beth. Rehob. 2 Sam. 10.6. From the discovery of this immediat line of Schem.
Note.
D. 1. The last mention of the Churches line is not the least in Gods account.
D. 2. Fruitfulnes is given to the Church of God, for its continuance on earth.
D. 3. Visible distinction hath God made between the lines of the world and of the Church.
D. 4. Hebers children are the true Church of God.
D. 5. The name and blessing of Schem is on that Church.
D. 6. Sharers in the promise are especially brethren.
D. 7. The first in birth, may be last in grace. Ver. 21.
D. 8. Out of the same holy stocke may arise enemies to the Church as well as the right seed. Ver. 22.
2. The issue of Schem derived from several sonnes now followeth, wherein two sonnes onelyonly are mentioned with their seed.
1. Aram with his posterity as in the next
Ver. 23.Ver. 23. And the sonnes of Aram Yuts and Chul, and Gether, and Mash. Cald. same — foreign. Sept, of these 4 sonnes various and uncertain are the conjectures, it is enough to consider, that from these the Syrians issued, in the several sorts and multitudes of them, and by these the whole tract of Syria was inhabited.
2. Arpacschad with his line general.
Ver. 24.Ver. 24. And Arpacschad begat Selah, and Selah begat Geber, Cald. same. — Kainan, and Kainan begat Sela, Sept. &c.
Ver. 25.Ver. 25. And to Yebe, were born two sonnes, the name of the one Peleg, for in his dayes the earth was divided, and the name of his brother Joktan.
Ver. 26.Ver. 26. And Joktan begat Almodad, &c, to Ver, 30.
Ver. 30.Ver. 30. And their habitation was from Mesha, as thou goest to Sephar, a mount of the east, Sept. and Cald. to the same.
Ver. 31.Ver. 31. These are the sonnes of Schem to their families, to their tongues, in their lands, and after ther nations.
In this passage we have the line of Arpacschad, wherein we have considerable. (1) The direct line of the Church, from him to Selach, from Selach to Heber, from Heber to Peleg, concerning whom may be noted. (1) The meaning of his name division. (2) The reason of it, because in his dayes the earth was divided. — Which division some conceived was made by Noach, the great grand Father giving them by lott their portions, but this is groundles.
It was that division doubtles, which God made in judgment upon men in confounding the language of that people that had been of one tongue, and so dividing them occordingly into several parts upon this memorable act of God, Heber gave this name to his Son, to keep in remembrance this worke.
2. The collateral line goeing beside the Church: and that is from Joktan his Brother. Of whom is here declared from. Ver. 26. to Ver. 30.
1. His seed, 13 sonnes, whose names are now forgotten as to any seed from them.
2. Their habitation, which is noted to be the east whence it is conceived that of them were the Indians there, but that is plain they were separated from the Church.
3. The summe of Schems line drawn up, these, &c. Where their distinction is made (1) By families. (2) By tongues. Heber keeping the first language in the Church (3) By lands. (4). By nations, the number of which though some attempt to tell, yet is it altogether uncertain.
These Notes result from it.
D. 1. Syrians may arise from the Father of the Church according to the flesh, very enemies to it.
D. 2. Gods mind is to keep the line of his Church distinct; from all who turn aside, Ver. 23.
D. 3. The line of the Church is but short in respect of the world. Ver. 24.
D. 4. Memorable as well as terrible is that division of people and tongues which God hath made. Ver. 25.
D. 5. Saints have bin careful to keep in memory such judgments of division; the naming of the child. Ver. 25.
D. 6. Numerous is the seed departed from the Church. Ver. 26.29.
D. 7. God hath given a dwelling place to degenerat seed. Ver. 30.
D. 8. The Church hath its family, tongue, place and people, distinct from all. Ver. 37.
3. The last general, the conclusion of the genealogy.
Ver. 32. These are the families of the sonnes of Noach, to their generations in their nations, and from these, the nations were divided in the earth after the flood. Cald. same. — After their kinreds, &c. the Islands of the nations in the earth. Sept. He concludes with the attestation of the truth of these lines and the peopling of the earth by them after the flood.
We conclude from all.
Doct. Of one blood hath God made all Nations, &c. Acts. 17.26. Ver. 32.