JAPHETH (Ja'pheth) [Let him make wide]. A son of Noah and brother of Shem and
Ham. Although usually listed last, Japheth appears to have been the eldest of
the three sons as the Hebrew text of Genesis 10:21 refers to Japheth the oldest
(AV; Da; Yg; Le; NW; AS, ftn.).  Some translators however, understand the
Hebrew text here to refer instead to Shem as "the elder brother of Japheth"
(RS; AT; others).  Considering Japheth to be Noah's eldest son would place the
time of his birth at approximately 2470 B.C.E. -Gen. 5:32.


Japheth and his wife were among the eight occupants of the ark, thereby
surviving the Flood (Gen. 7:13; 1 Pet. 3:20).  Remaining childless until after
the Flood, they thereafter produced seven sons: Gomer, Magog, Medai, Javan,
Tubal, Meshech and Tires (Gen. 10:1, 2; 1 Chron. 1:5).  These sons and also
some grandsons are the ones from whom the population of the isles of the
nations [coastland peoples, RS] was spread about in their lands each according
to its tongue according to their families by their nations (Gen. 10:3-5; 1
Chron. 1:6, 7).  Historically, Japheth was the progenitor of the Aryan or
Indo-European (Indo-Germanic) branch of the human family.  The names of his
sons and grandsons are found in ancient historical texts as relating to peoples
and tribes residing mainly to the N and W of the Fertile Crescent.  They appear
to have spread from the Caucasus eastward into Central Asia and westward
through Asia Minor to the islands and coastlands of Europe and perhaps all the
way to Spain.  Arabic traditions claim that one of Japheth's sons was also the
progenitor of the Chinese peoples.*1


As a result of Japheth's respectful action taken in company with his brother
Shem, on the occasion of their father's drunkenness, Japheth was the object of
his fathers blessing (Gen. 9:20-27).  In that blessing Noah requested for
Japheth that God "grant ample space [Heb., ya'phet ]" to him. This Hebrew
expression is evidently derived from the same root word as the name Japheth
(Heb., Ye'pheth) and appears to indicate that the meaning of Japheth's name
would be fulfilled in a literal sense and that his descendants would spread
out over a wide area. His 'residing in the tents of Shem'*2 is thought by
some to indicate a peaceful relationship to exist between the Japhethites and
the Shemites.  However, since history does not particularly present such a
peaceful association it may rather be connected prophetically with God's later
promise to Shem's descendants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that in their "seed"
all the families of the earth (including those descended from Japheth) would be
blessed (Gen. 22:15-18; 26:3,4; 28:10,13,14; compare Acts 10:34-36; Galatians
3:28,29).  Canaan's 'becoming a slave to the Japhethites'*3 finds fulfillment
in the domination of the land of Canaan (Palestine) during the rule of the
Medo-Persian Empire (a Japhetic power) and in the later conquest by the Greeks
and Romans, including the conquest of the Canaanite strongholds of Tyre and
Sidon.




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NOTATION *1:  The most accurate version of history documents and ancient
Chinese genealogy records indicates that the Chinese race is a Hamite one and
that they descend from Put, a son of Ham.  Also, too, the Shemite influence,
from the ancient Chow (Chou) family, plays a major part in the culture and
civilization of the Chinese people and it is the Chou clan which forms the
basis for the entire existence of China's civilization!  Arabic sources,
cites "Ian" (pronounced "Yan" in the Chinese language), a son of ancient
biblical mentioned Mede, as the progenitor of the Chinese race of people.
This, too, is in error, as an accurate reading of Chinese text demonstrates
that "Yan" was merely looked up to as a related senior clan father and no more.
The founding father of the Chinese people is, as Chinese sources believe, a
person who went by the appellation "Huang Di,"  his true name, being forever
lost with time.  When one examines the entire civilization and history of the
Chinese people (from about 2,300 B.C. to 1,996 A.D.), in light of Biblical and
world history, it becomes apparent to the trained eye of the scholar that China
is a Shemite civilization that compromised her roots (1) in absorption of an
alien, primitive, and barbaric civilization that at one time was under the
wings (direction and guidance) of Nimrod . . . being, perhaps, caught either
unaware or by their own devise or greed. Or (2) by it being overtaken and
absorbed by a crude and barbaric Hamite population of people under the 
direction of Nimrod.  


NOTATION *2:  Noah's words, "let him reside in the tents of Shem" were probably
spiritually motivated words uttered upon learning about the badness that Ham
had done and in appreciation of the upright conduct of Japheth and Shem.  As we
understand the Bible, during the days of Noah, it was Shem's faith in Jehovah
God which Noah saw and acknowledged.  The word reside, sentence, and passage
has a figurative meaning.  The passages of Genesis 9:20-27, as with any Bible
pronouncement, has its modern day expanded application and is therefore
important in our modern day world.

In the days of Noah, it was Shem's faith in Jehovah that was strong and
respectful of God, Jehovah, whom Noah worshiped.


NOTATION *3:  Canaan (Ham and his descendants) 'becoming a slave' to Japheth
and Shem (Japheth, Shem and their descendants) finds its fulfillment, rather,
in the evolutionary outworking of mankind's history, where we find that the
descendants of Ham turning away their faith in Jehovah becoming enslaved to
heathen practices and all the badness that follows.  It is the descendants of
Japheth and Shem that figure most, in mankind's history, in the true worship
of Jehovah as God.




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SHEM [name, renown, fame]. One of Noah's three sons; from these "all the
earth's population spread abroad" following the global food."  -Gen. 6:10;
9:18,19.


Although the three sons are consistently listed as Shem, Ham, and Japheth
"there is some uncertainty as to their relative positions" according to age.
The fact that Shem is mentioned first is of itself no definite indication that
Shem was Noah's firstborn since Shem's own firstborn son (Arpachshad) is
listed third in the genealogical records. (Gen. 10:22; I Chron. 1:17) In the
original Hebrew, Genesis 10:21 allows for more than one possible translation
some translations referring to Shem as the brother of Japheth the oldest for
elders" (AV, NW ), while others call him the elder [for older] brother of
Japheth. (AS, Do AT, RS, JB, Ro) The ancient versions likewise differ the
Septuagint, Symmachus and the Targum of Onkelos presenting Japheth as the
older, while the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Vulgate and the Syriac versions
place Shem as the older brother of Japheth. The weight of evidence found in the
rest of the Bible record, however, indicates that Shem likely was Noah's
second son, younger than Japheth.


The record shows that Noah began to father sons after reaching 500 years of age
(2470 B.CE.) the Flood occurring in his 600th year (Gen. 5:32; 7:6). Already
married at the time of the Food (Gen 6:18), Shem is stated to have fathered his
first son, Arpachshad, two years after the Flood (2368 B.C.E.) when he, Shem,
was 100 years old (Gen 11:10). This would mean that Shem was born when Noah was
502 years of age (2458 B.C.E.) and, since Ham appears to be referred to as the
"youngest son" (Gen 9:24), Japheth would logically be the first son born to
Noah, when he was 500 years of age.


Following the birth of Arpachshad, other sons (and also daughters) were born to
Shem, including Elam, Asshur, Lud and Aram (Gen. 10:22, 11:11). After Aram, the
parallel account at 1 Chronicles 1:17 also lists "Uz and Hul and Gether and
Mash," but at Genesis 10:23 these are shown to be sons of Aram. Biblical and
other historical evidence indicates that Shem was thus the progenitor of the
Semitic peoples:

The Elamites, the Assyrians, the early Chaldeans, the Hebrews, the Aramaeans
(or Syrians), various Arabian tribes, and perhaps the Lydians of Asia Minor.
This would mean that the population descended from Shem was concentrated
principally in the south-western corner of the Asiatic continent, extending
throughout most of the "Fertile Crescent" and occupying a considerable portion
of the Arabian Peninsula. -See the articles under the names of the individual
sons of Shem.


When Shem and his brother, Japheth, covered over their father's nakedness, at
the time of Noah's being overcome by wine, they showed not only filial respect,
but also respect for the one whom God had used to effect their preservation
during the Flood (Gen. 9:20-23).  Thereafter, in the blessing Noah pronounced,
indication was given that the line of Shem would be particularly favored by God
and would contribute to the sanctification of God's name, Noah referring to
Jehovah as "Shem's God" (Gen. 9:26).  It was from Shem, through his son
Arpachshad, that Abraham descended, and to him was given the promise concerning
the seed in whom all the families of the earth would receive a blessing (1
Chron. 1:24-27; Gen 12:1-3; 22:15-18).  Noah's prediction concerning Canaan's
becoming "a slave" to Shem was fulfilled by the Semitic subjugation of the
Canaanites as a result of the Israelite conquest of the land of Canaan.  Gen.
9:26.


Shem lived 500 Years after fathering Arpachshad dying at the age of 600 years
(Gen 11:10,11). His death thus occurred some thirteen years after the death of
Sarah (1881 B.C.E.) and ten years after the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah (1878
B.C.E.) in view of this, it has been suggested that Shem may have been
Melchizedek (meaning "king of righteousness"), the king-priest to whom Abraham
paid tithes (Gen 14:18-20).  The Bible record does not say this, however, and
the apostle Paul shows that no available genealogical record or other vital
statistics were left concerning Melchizedek, so that he became an apt type of
Christ Jesus, who is King-Priest perpetually.  Heb. 7:1-3.




- - - - -
The correct version to the above question, and in answer to any arising issue,
is that Shem's name was always placed before Japheth, by Noah, due to Shem's
faith in and worship of Jehovah, and due to Shem's good conduct and
respectfulness towards his father Noah.  A very impressed and appreciative
Noah, who himself was God worshiping, placed Shem's name first, a place of
honor.

As to Canaan 'becoming a slave' of Shem, finds more truth, though, as bible
scholars learn more about and observe the history and evolution of mankind in
its totality.  We see Hamites, as a result of their departure, being enslaved
by a more economically and religiously advanced Western and Japhetic world in
Shem's tent (The religious worship that originally stemmed from Shem).




- - - - -

HAM [swarthy, sun-burnt, hot]

One of Noah's three sons, born after 2470 B.C.E. (Gen. 5:32; 7:6; 11:10) He
was possibly the youngest son (Gen. 9:24); however, he is listed in second
place at Genesis 5:32; 6:10 and elsewhere.  At Genesis 10:21 Shem is called
"the brother of Japheth the oldest" (or, "the oldest brother of Japheth," NW
1953 ed, ftn.), which indicates that Ham definitely was not the oldest of Noah
sons.  Some believe that the expression "youngest son" at Genesis 9:24, refers
to Noah's grandson Canaan.

See CANAAN, CANAANITE.


Ham was the father of four sons, Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan (Gen. 10:6; 1
Chron 1:8).  From these sons descended the Ethiopians, Egyptians, some Arabian
and African tribes, and the Canaanites.  While It is claimed that some of the
Hamitic tribes and nations, listed in Genesis chapter 10, spoke a Semitic
language, this does not weigh against their being Hamitic descent, or having
originally spoken a Hamitic tongue.  Many peoples adopted the language of their
conquerors or of other peoples with whom they associated or of the land to
which they migrated.


Ham married before the Flood and survived the flood, along with his wife, his
father and mother and his two brothers and their wives (Gen. 6:18; 7:13;
8:15,16,18; 1 Pet 3:19,20). Ham's sons were born after the Flood.  Sometime
later, he became involved in an incident that brought a curse on his son
Canaan.  Noah had become intoxicated with wine and had uncovered himself in his
tent.  Ham saw his father's nakedness and instead of showing the proper respect
for Noah, the family head, servant and prophet whom God had made an instrument
in the preservation of the human race, Ham told his two brothers of his
discovery.  Shem and Japheth exhibited the proper respect by walking backwards
with a mantle to cover Noah, so that they would not bring reproach by looking
on their father's nakedness.  Noah, on awakening, uttered a curse, not on Ham,
but, on Ham's son Canaan.  In the accompanying blessing of Shem, which
included a blessing for Japheth, Ham was passed over and ignored; only Canaan
was mentioned as cursed and was prophetically foretold to become a slave to
Shem and Japheth. -Gen. 9:20-27.


Possibly Canaan himself had been involved directly in the incident his father
Ham failing to correct him.  Or Noah speaking prophetically by inspiration
foresaw that the bad tendency in Ham, perhaps, was already manifest in his son
Canaan, would be inherited by Canaan's offspring.  The curse was partly
fulfilled when the Semitic Israelites subjugated the Canaanites. Those who
were not destroyed (for example the Gibeonites [Josh. chap. 9]) were made
slaves to Israel.  Centuries later, the curse was further fulfilled when
descendants of Ham's son Canaan came under the domination of the Japhetic
world powers of Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.


Some persons have incorrectly held that the black race and enslavement of
members of that race resulted from the curse pronounced upon Canaan.  To the
contrary, the descendants of Canaan, the cursed one, were not of the black
race.  The black race descended from Cush and possibly from other sons of
Ham.*2




- - - - -
NOTATION *2:  The black race primarily descends from Ham, whose descendants are
called Hamites.  While there are White people who claim to be Hamites, Hamites
are primarily Africans, Indians, South-East Asians, Polynesians, North, South
and Central Americans; all of whom are black to deep brown skin, black hair,
and brown eyes.




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Copyright (c) 1993, 1998, 2002 Lester D.K. Chow
Original text by the International Bible Students Association.
All rights protected, 1969, 1971.