Shem
“Name or renown”
Summary
The eldest son of Noah, ancestor of the Semitic peoples including the Hebrews, and recipient of Noah's prophetic blessing after the flood.
☩Identity and Family
Shem was the eldest son of Noah, born when his father was 500 years old. Though the sons of Noah are typically listed as 'Shem, Ham, and Japheth,' this reflects Shem's preeminence rather than birth order. He was married but childless at the time of the flood, entering the ark with his wife and family. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born, beginning the line that would lead through Eber to Abraham and eventually to Christ.
☩The Incident with Noah
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and becoming drunk from its wine, lay uncovered in his tent. Ham saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers, but Shem and Japheth acted with filial piety, walking backward with a garment to cover their father without looking upon his shame. This act of respect marked Shem for blessing while Ham's descendants were cursed. The contrast between the brothers' responses established patterns that would be reflected in their descendants' histories.
☩Noah's Blessing
Upon waking, Noah pronounced prophetic blessings and curses upon his sons. To Shem he declared: 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem'—uniquely identifying Shem's God as Yahweh. This blessing indicated that through Shem's line the knowledge and worship of the true God would be preserved. Japheth would be enlarged and dwell in the tents of Shem, a prophecy fulfilled as Gentile nations eventually came to share in Israel's spiritual heritage.
☩Descendants and Longevity
Shem lived 600 years, dying when Abraham was approximately 148 years old and Isaac had been married nine years. This remarkable longevity meant that only two links—Methuselah and Shem—connected Adam with Isaac, making the transmission of early traditions remarkably direct. Shem's descendants occupied the finest regions of West Asia, from Elam in the east to the Mediterranean, including the territories of Assyria, Syria, and Canaan before its conquest. The term 'Semitic' derives from his name, encompassing the Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, and related language groups.
Related Verses17 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shem," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shem," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Shem," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).