Genesis 10:1-5 (RSV) - "These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; sons were born to them after the flood. The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer: Ash′kenaz, Riphath, and Togar′mah. The sons of Javan: Eli′shah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Do′danim. From these the coastland peoples spread. These are the sons of Japheth in their lands, each with his own language, by their families, in their nations."
The Sons of Japheth
The name Japheth either means “may He extend” (Aramaic) or “beautiful” (Hebrew).1 According to most traditions, Japheth’s family became those of European descent. This passage mentions that he had seven sons. Let’s briefly look at each son (and grandson) and see what we can learn.
Gomer
In Ezekiel 38:1-6, Gomer and his troops assist in defeating Gog and Magog. It is believed that Gomer’s family became known as Cimmerians who resided in Russia.2 Others believe there are connections to the Galatians. Islamic folklore traditions claim that Gomer lived to be 1,000 years old.
Ashkenaz
Descendents of Ashkenaz have ruled in Scythia and Germany.3
Riphath
For the most part, the descendants of Riphath are completely unknown. However, some have speculated that they lived in the Riphean Mountains according to Greek geography.4
Togarmah
His family ancestors are associated with Armenia and Georgia (the country).5 Togarmah is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:14 and Ezekiel 38:6.
Magog
It’s not clear if this son started the people group mentioned in the previous verses in Ezekiel. If so, his family was an unsavory group often connected to the forces of evil and the apocalyptic traditions.6
Madai
This son of Japheth is often associated with the Medes of Iran.7
Javan
Javan is associated with the origins of the Greek people.8 He is often thought to be Alexander the Great, as mentioned in Daniel 8:21-22; 11:2.
Elishah
Most scholars place him on the island of Cyprus.9
Tarshish
Many have heard of the city of Tarshish, but it’s uncertain if there’s a connection to Noah’s grandson. There are also “ships of Tarshish” which could indicate his family was in the shipping industry.10
Kittim
His family can be associated with the Aegean Islands, but the expression “Isles of Kittim” refers generically to all Mediterranean Islands as well.11 Many believe some of his ancestors became Eastern Asian people groups.
Dodanim
We find links to his descendants on the island of Rhodes. One of his sons was the prince of the Japhethites during the incident at the Tower of Babel.12
Tubal
It is believed Tubal sailed to the Iberian Peninsula with his family in 2157 BC.13 Traditions claim Noah visited his family 100 years later. He established many cities and left his various sons to rule the cities. He may have died while colonizing Mauritania.
Meshech
The name Muska appears in Assyrian inscriptions and could be another form of the name Meshech.14 Some European scholars propose the idea that the Muscovites descended from his family.
Tiras
The family of Tiras may also be the “Sea People” who terrorized Egypt and other Mediterranean colonies around 1200 BC.15 The Book of Jubilees claims that Tiras inherited four islands in the ocean. He is associated with people living in Thrace and the Etruscans.
Why do you think each people group would create their own language?
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Sons of Japheth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japheth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomer
ibid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riphath
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togarmah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magog_(Bible)
Madai - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madai
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elishah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarshish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kittim
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodanim
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meshech
Tiras - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiras