From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.
Parallel translations
- WEB Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.
- KJV By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
- NKJV From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.
- NASB From these the people of the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.
- NLT Their descendants became the seafaring peoples that spread out to various lands, each identified by its own language, clan, and national identity.
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
From these the coastland peoples spread into their lands, each by its language, clan, and nation. Humanity divides into distinct nations and tongues.
Overview
This verse summarizes how Japheth's line dispersed into separate territories, each with its own language and identity, anticipating the events at Babel. The diversity of nations and languages is part of God's ordering of the world. This diversity is not erased but redeemed in Christ, as people of every tongue are united in worship of the Lamb.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Zeph 2:11The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.
- Jer 2:10Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:
- Isa 42:4He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”
- Gen 10:20These are the sons of Ham according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
- Jer 25:22all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;
- Isa 40:15Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
- Isa 42:10Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.
- Isa 41:5The islands see and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward.
- Isa 49:1Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
- Isa 60:9Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
- Ps 72:10May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
- Isa 24:15Therefore glorify the LORD in the east. Extol the name of the LORD, the God of Israel in the islands of the sea.
- Gen 10:25Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.
- Isa 51:5My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.
- Isa 59:18So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.
- Gen 11:1–9Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 10:5 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.