Genesis 10:30
Genesis 10:30 in Multiple Translations
Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country.
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.
And their country was from Mesha, in the direction of Sephar, the mountain of the east.
They lived in the land lying between Mesha to Sephar, in the hill country to the east.
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest vnto Sephar a mount of the East.
and their dwelling is from Mesha, [in] thy coming towards Sephar, a mount of the east.
Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest to Sephar, a mount of the east.
And their dwelling was from Messa as we go on as far as Sephar, a mountain in the east.
The areas in which they lived extended from Mesha westward to Sephar, which is in the ◄hill country/area that has a lot of hills►.
All of those people were born into Joktan’s family. Their country was in the mountains in the east, the country you see if you go from Mesha all the way to Sefar.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 10:30
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 10:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
מוֹשָׁבָ֖/ם
מִ/מֵּשָׁ֑א
בֹּאֲ/כָ֥ה
סְפָ֖רָ/ה
הַ֥ר
הַ/קֶּֽדֶם
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מוֹשָׁבָ֖/ם
môwshâb
H4186
seat
N-ms | Suff
מִ/מֵּשָׁ֑א
Mêshâʼ
H4852
Mesha
Prep | N-proper
בֹּאֲ/כָ֥ה
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
סְפָ֖רָ/ה
Çᵉphâr
H5611
Sephar
N-proper | Suff
הַ֥ר
har
H2022
mountain
N-ms
הַ/קֶּֽדֶם
qedem
H6924
front
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 10:30
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מוֹשָׁבָ֖/ם
môwshâb
H4186
"seat"
N-ms | Suff
A seat can refer to a physical place of sitting or a gathering of people, like an assembly. It can also mean a dwelling place or location, and is sometimes used to describe a group of people living together.
Definition: 1) seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers 1a) seat, sitting, those sitting, sitting company or assembly 1b) dwelling place, dwelling 1c) situation, location 1d) time of dwelling 1e) those dwelling, dweller
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. See also: Genesis 10:30; 1 Samuel 20:25; Psalms 1:1.
מִ/מֵּשָׁ֑א
Mêshâʼ
H4852
"Mesha"
Prep | N-proper
Mesha refers to a place in Arabia, marking the border of the Joktanites' territory. It means freedom and is used in the Bible to describe this region. The KJV translates it as Mesha.
Definition: § Mesha = "freedom" a region marking one of the limits of the territory of the Joktanites when they first settled in Arabia
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Mesha. See also: Genesis 10:30.
בֹּאֲ/כָ֥ה
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
סְפָ֖רָ/ה
Çᵉphâr
H5611
"Sephar"
N-proper | Suff
Sephar is a place in southern Arabia, mentioned in the book of Genesis as a region where some people lived. It is also associated with the idea of numbering or counting.
Definition: § Sephar = "a numbering" a place in southern Arabia
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Sephar. See also: Genesis 10:30.
הַ֥ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
הַ/קֶּֽדֶם
qedem
H6924
"front"
Art | N-ms
The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.
Definition: : east 1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime 1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East 1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time 1c) anciently, of old (adverb) 1d) beginning 1e) east
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare H6926 (קִדְמָה). See also: Genesis 2:8; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalms 44:2.
Study Notes — Genesis 10:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 10:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 10:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 10:30
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 10:30
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
- Sermons on Genesis 10:30
Context — The Semites
28Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
29Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.
30Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country.
31These are the sons of Shem, according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations. 32All these are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their generations and nations. From these the nations of the earth spread out after the flood.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 23:7 | And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ |
Genesis 10:30 Summary
The verse Genesis 10:30 describes the territory where the sons of Joktan, including Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab, settled after the flood. This territory, which extended from Mesha to Sephar in the eastern hill country, was part of the broader distribution of the nations, as seen in Genesis 10:32. As we reflect on this verse, we can see that God is sovereign over the nations and their territories, and that He has a plan to bless all people, as seen in Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:8. By understanding this verse, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's love for all nations and His desire to redeem people from every tribe and language, as described in Revelation 7:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the territory described in Genesis 10:30?
The territory described in Genesis 10:30, from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country, is important because it helps us understand the geographical distribution of the descendants of Joktan, a son of Eber, as mentioned in Genesis 10:28-29. This territory is also relevant to the broader narrative of the nations spreading out after the flood, as seen in Genesis 10:32.
Who are the people mentioned in Genesis 10:28-29, and how do they relate to the territory in Genesis 10:30?
The people mentioned in Genesis 10:28-29 are the sons of Joktan, including Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. The territory described in Genesis 10:30 is the area where these sons of Joktan and their descendants settled, as part of the broader distribution of the nations after the flood, as seen in Genesis 10:32 and Genesis 11:1-9.
What can we learn about God's plan for the nations from Genesis 10:30?
From Genesis 10:30, we can see that God is sovereign over the distribution of the nations and their territories, as also mentioned in Acts 17:26. This verse reminds us that God's plan is to bless all nations, as seen in Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:8, and that He is working out His purposes in the lives of all people, regardless of their geographical location.
How does the description of the territory in Genesis 10:30 relate to the rest of the Bible?
The description of the territory in Genesis 10:30 is part of the larger narrative of the Bible, which describes God's creation of the world, the spread of humanity, and the establishment of the nations. This verse is connected to other passages, such as Genesis 1:1, Psalm 104:1-35, and Revelation 7:9, which describe God's sovereignty over creation and His plan to redeem people from every nation, tribe, and language.
Reflection Questions
- As I reflect on the territory described in Genesis 10:30, what can I learn about God's sovereignty over the nations and His plan to bless all people?
- How does the distribution of the nations, as described in Genesis 10:30, relate to my own life and ministry, and what role can I play in sharing the gospel with people from other nations?
- What can I learn from the example of the sons of Joktan, who settled in the territory described in Genesis 10:30, about being faithful to God's call and living out my faith in my own community?
- As I consider the territory described in Genesis 10:30, how can I pray for the people who live in that region, and for the spread of the gospel to all nations, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20?
- What are some ways that I can be a part of God's plan to bless all nations, as described in Genesis 12:3, and how can I use my gifts and resources to support the spread of the gospel to people from every nation, tribe, and language?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 10:30
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Zephar, a mount of the east.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 10:30
And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
These places were either, 1. In India, where there are places called by Ptolemy and Pliny, Maesae, and Saparum, and Sabara. Or rather, 2. In Arabia, where there was a noted port called Musa; and near it, and eastward from it, a people called Sapharitae, and a royal city called Saphar; from whence this famous and long mountain doth here receive its name. If it be said Arabia is not east but south from Judea, it may be answered, 1. That Arabia, as it is not east in respect of Egypt, where the Jews long dwelt, and part of it is so to Judea also; so it is not seldom in Scripture reckoned as a part of the east country, as appears from ,18 Jude 6:3 . And Tacitus describing Judea, saith: It is bounded on the east by Arabia. 2. That this mountain is said to be easterly, not simply, but in respect of the city Mesha, on the east whereof Ptolemy placeth this mountain, though he call it by another name, Climax; add to this, that Moses speaks of these places as known to the Jews, and therefore not so far distant from them as India, a place wholly unknown to them, and wherewith, as yet, they had no communication. If it be further objected, that if these people had been so near and well known to the Jews, we should have had more mention of them in Scripture; I answer, there is mention of some of them; and for others, it is no wonder if by the following wars among nations, and mixtures and confusions of people, some of them were extirpated, and others lost their names, though not their beings, as oft happened.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
(26-31) Joktan.—“The little one,” as being a younger son. Of the thirteen divisions of his family, few are of any importance, though several of the names are curious from their connection with the Arabic language. The Joktanite country was Arabia Felix, or Yemen, and as the people led a pastoral life without founding cities, the traces of their tribal names are insignificant. Those worth noting are Almodad, because it has the full form of the article, retained as Al in Arabic, but shortened in Hebrew into Ha. Hazarmaveth, “the court of death,” so called because of the unhealthiness of its climate, is now Hadramaut. Abimael means “the father of Mael.” While in Hebrew and Syriac men took the name of their father, in Arabic they often take the name of a son, with Abu or Abi (“father of”) prefixed. Sheba, the region afterwards famous for its commerce and its wealth of spices and precious stones. A Sheba also occurs among the race of Ham (see Genesis 10:7). Opbir: the name, probably, at first of a district of Oman in Arabia, but afterwards given to some port in India or Ceylon, from some fancied similarity. Havilah: some commentators consider that this is the same district as that previously occupied by the Cushites (Genesis 10:7); others argue that the two Havilahs are distinct, and that this is the region called Chawlân, in Northern Yemen.
It is, however, certain that the Hamites possessed this country prior to its being occupied by the Joktanites.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
Verse 30. See Clarke on Genesis 10:26.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 10:30
30. Mesha] Dillmann conjectures “Massa” (Genesis 25:14), a north Arabian tribe. This is not improbable, if this verse delimits the geographical borders of “the sons of Joktan.” Sephar] Probably the same as Daphar, a town on the south coast of Arabia. the mountain of the east] Better, as marg., the hill country. Probably the famous frankincense mountain in south Arabia, with Daphar as its furthest point, was reputed the southern limit of “the sons of Joktan.”
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 10:30
30. Their dwelling was from Mesha — In this verse are given the boundaries of the Joktanite Arabs, probably as they existed in the time of Abraham. But it is now impossible to follow them with any degree of certainty.
Sermons on Genesis 10:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra |
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Heaven's View of Our Failures by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Balaam and the Israelites in the book of Numbers. Balaam, a prophet, sees a vision from God and falls down in awe. He describes |
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Balaam- Hired of Balak and Used of God by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the narrative of Balaam and Balak, emphasizing how God's sovereignty turns the wicked intentions of Balaam into a means of blessing for Israel. Despite B |