The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
Parallel translations
- WEB The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
- KJV The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
- NKJV The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
- NASB The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
- NLT The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The sons of Japheth are listed, ancestors of various northern and western peoples. These names represent nations spreading from Noah's line.
Overview
Japheth's descendants are generally associated with peoples to the north and west of Israel. The list shows the orderly dispersion of humanity into distinct nations. By tracing the nations to a common ancestor, Scripture upholds the unity of mankind and prepares for the gospel that gathers people from every nation into one body in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Ezek 38:2“Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him
- Ezek 38:6as well as Gomer with all its troops, and Beth-togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.
- 1 Chr 1:5–7The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
- Isa 66:19I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.
- Rev 20:8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.
- Ezek 39:1“As for you, O son of man, prophesy against Gog and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
- Ezek 27:7Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt they made your sail, which served as your banner. Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah they made your awning.
- Ezek 27:12–14Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares.
- Ezek 27:19and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise.
- Ezek 38:15And you will come from your place out of the far north—you and many peoples with you, all riding horses—a mighty horde, a huge army.
- Gen 10:21And sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth; Shem was the forefather of all the sons of Eber.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 10:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.