Genesis 10:27 — Word Study
WLCוְאֶת־ הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת־ אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת־ דִּקְלָֽה׃
BSAHadoramHădôwrâm [a son of Joktan] UzalʼÛwzâl [meaning I shall be flooded] DiklahDiqlâh [a region in Arabia, or a man of the Patriarchs' time]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| הֲדוֹרָ֥ם | Hadoram | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| אוּזָ֖ל | Uzal | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| דִּקְלָֽה׃ | Diklah | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, |
| KJV | And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, |
| ASV | and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, |
| YLT | and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, |
| WEB | Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, |
| BBE | And Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah |
Where they part company is in the names used for Uzal and Hadoram in the Samaritan Pentateuch — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a single main clause listing the names, reflecting the genealogical format.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 10:27
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Descendants of Joktangenerated
Genesis 10:27 is part of a genealogical list that traces the descendants of Noah through his son Shem. This section highlights the lineage of Joktan, who is noted for his numerous sons. The genealogies serve to establish the origins of various peoples and nations, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of the Hebrew Bible.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 1:20–28 | And Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הֲדוֹרָ֥ם, ha.do.Ramgenerated
The word הֲדוֹרָ֥ם (Hadoram) is a proper noun, specifically a name associated with a son of Joktan. It appears four times in the Old Testament, indicating its significance in the genealogical context.
Hadoram's name is derived from a root that conveys the idea of 'noble honor.' This name connects him to the broader family of Joktan, emphasizing the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which presents the names without additional commentary.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is straightforward, consisting of a series of noun phrases connected by the conjunction וְ (ve), meaning 'and.' The main verb is implicit, as this is a list format.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the names themselves, highlighting their significance in the genealogy rather than on the action of naming.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הֲדוֹרָ֥ם as οδορρα, which does not carry additional meaning but maintains the name's identity. This shows a direct correspondence in the genealogical context.
The translation choices reflect an effort to preserve the names as they are known in the Hebrew text, indicating the importance of these figures in the lineage.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 10:27 lists three names: Hadoram, Uzal, and Diklah. These names are part of the genealogy of Joktan, who is a descendant of Noah. Each name has its own significance and meaning, contributing to the understanding of the lineage of the nations.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Hadoram was a son of Joktan, a descendant of Noah, mentioned in the genealogies.
Uzal means 'I shall be flooded' and is the name of another son of Joktan.
Diklah is noted as both a name and a region in Arabia, highlighting the geographical connections of Joktan's descendants.
Genealogies establish lineage and heritage, connecting individuals to broader narratives and fulfilling God's promises through specific families.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn about my own family lineage and its significance?
- How do genealogies in the Bible help us understand God's plan through history?
- In what ways do names carry meaning and identity in our own lives?
- How can I connect the stories of the past with the present in my understanding of faith?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 10:27 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah. The posterity of Hadoram, from the likeness of the name and sound, might seem to be the Adramitae of Ptolemy (f), but Bochart (g) thinks they are the Drimati of
Read John Gill on Genesis 10 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, Hadoram , [Septuagint, Hodorra]. The identification of this tribe with a particular locality is uncertain. Uzal , [Septuatint, Aibeel]. Golius ('Lex.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 10 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 10 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges27. Uzal] Mentioned in Ezekiel 27:19, cf. R.V. marg., as a place from which iron was brought. Traditionally the old name of Sana the chief town of Yemen.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 10 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible27. Hadoram — The Adramites of Pliny and Ptolemy, in the eastern part of Hadhramant. Uzal — The modern Sanaa, the chief city of Yemen, a walled town; said to be the finest in Arabia. Diklah — Palm-tree.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 10 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
Tyndale line
And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah;
And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah.
And Hadoram, and Vzal, and Dicklah,
Strictly literal
and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
From the Latin
And Aduram, and Uzal, and Decla,
Simplified
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
And Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all six words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in two names: it uses אדורם (Hadoram) and עיזל (Uzal), which indicates a variation in the tradition of the text.
וְאֶת־ הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת־ אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת־ דִּקְלָֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ואת אדורם ואת עיזל ואת דקלה
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: אדורם (Hadoram), עיזל (Uzal)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 10:27
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
הֲדוֹרָם (Hadoram) refers to a name associated with several figures in the Old Testament. It includes the fifth son of Joktan, an Arabian tribe, and a son of Tou, king of Hamath, who served as an ambassador. Additionally, Hadoram is identified as an official under King Rehoboam, also known as Adoniram or Adoram. The name is noted to mean 'noble honor.'
הֲדוֹרָם n.pr.m.
Arabian tribe, called son of Joktan
son of Tou king of Hamath
base
הֲדֹרָם n.pr.m. an official of Rehoboam
base
H1913a הֲדוֹרָם . Arabian tribe, called son of Joktan
. son of Tou king of Hamath
H1913b הֲדֹרָם an official of Rehoboam
1913 Hadowram had-o-rawm'
or Hadoram {had-o-rawm'}; probably of foreign derivation;
Hadoram, a son of Joktan, and the tribe descended from him:--
Hadoram.
הֲדוֹרָם (ha.do.ram) — Hadoram.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.27;
son of: Joktan (H3355);
brother of: Almodad (H0486), Sheleph (H8026), Hazarmaveth (H2700), Jerah (H3392), Uzal (H0187), Diklah (H1853), Obal (H5745), Abimael (H0039), Sheba (H7614H), Ophir (H0211), Havilah (H2341I) and Jobab (H3103)
§ Hadoram = "noble honour"
1) the 5th son of Joktan, an Arabian tribe
2) a son of Tou, king of Hamath, was his father's ambassador to congratulate David on his victory over Hadarezer, king of Zobah
הֲדֹרָם (ha.do.ram) — Hadoram.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.20.24;
son of: Abda (H5653); also called Adoniram at 1Ki.4.6; 5.14; Hadoram at 2Ch.10.18;
Another name of a.do.ram (אֲדֹרָם "Adoram" H0151)
§ Hadoram = "noble honour"
1) the 5th son of Joktan
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Hadoram
Is exalted. (1.) The son of Tou, king of Hamath, sent by his father to congratulate David on his victory over Hadarezer, king of Syria (1 Chr. 18:10; called Joram 2 Sam. 8:10).
(2.) The fifth son of Joktan, the founder of an Arab tribe (Gen. 10:27; 1 Chr. 1:21).
(3.) One who was “over the tribute;” i.e., “over the levy.” He was stoned by the Israelites after they had revolted from Rehoboam (2 Chr. 10:18). Called also Adoram (2 Sam. 20:24) and Adoniram (1 Kings 4:6).
(noble honor). The fifth son of Joktan. (Genesis 10:27; 1 Chronicles 1:21) His settlements, unlike those of many of Joktan’s sons, have not been identified. Son of Tou or Toi king of Hamath; his father’s ambassador to congratulate David on his victory over Hadarezer king of Zobah. (1 Chronicles 18:10) (B.C. 1035.) The form assumed in Chronicles by the name of the intendant of taxes under David, Solomon and Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 10:18) In Kings the name is given in the longer form of ADONIRAM, but in Samuel, (2 Samuel 20:24) as ADORAM.
See ADONIRAM.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
אוּזָל (u.zal) refers to Uzal, the sixth son of Joktan, mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis 10:27. The name is noted to mean 'I shall be flooded.' Uzal is associated with a number of brothers, including Almodad and Sheleph, among others.
אוּזָל n.pr.m. 6th son of Joktan
base
H187 אוּזָל 6th son of Joktan
187 'Uwzal oo-zawl'
of uncertain derivation; Uzal, a son of Joktan:--Uzal.
אוּזָל (u.zal) — Uzal.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.27;
son of: Joktan (H3355);
brother of: Almodad (H0486), Sheleph (H8026), Hazarmaveth (H2700), Jerah (H3392), Hadoram (H1913A), Diklah (H1853), Obal (H5745), Abimael (H0039), Sheba (H7614H), Ophir (H0211), Havilah (H2341I) and Jobab (H3103)
§ Uzal = "I shall be flooded"
sixth son Joktan
אוּזָל (u.zal) — Uzal.
§ Uzal = "I shall be flooded"
sixth son Joktan
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
u'-zal ('uzal): Sixth son of Joktan (Ge 10:27; 1Ch 1:21). Uzal as the name of a place perhaps occurs in Eze 27:19. the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares." Here an obscure verbal form, me'uzzal, is taken to mean "something spun," "yarn." But with a very slight change we may read me'uzal = "from Uzal."
The name is identical with the Arabic `Auzal, the old capital of Yemen, later called San`a'. San`a' is described as standing high above sea-level in a fertile land, and traversed by a river bed which in the rainy season becomes a torrent. Under the Himyarite dynasty it succeeded Zafar as the residence of the Tubba`s. If it is the same place as the Audzara or Ausara of the…
Uzal
A wanderer, a descendant of Joktan (Gen. 10:27; 1 Chr. 1:21), the founder apparently of one of the Arab tribes; the name also probably of the province they occupied and of their chief city.
(separate), the sixth son of Joktan, (Genesis 10:27; 1 Chronicles 1:21) whose settlements are clearly traced in the ancient name of San’a , the capital city of the Yemen (a district of Arabia), which was originally Awzal . From its position in the centre of the best portion of that kingdom it must always have been an important city. (San’a is situated about 150 miles from Aden and 100 miles from the coast of the Red Sea. It is one of the most imposing cities of Arabia -ED.)
A son of Joktan, located in Arabia Felix, Ge 10:27.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
דִּקְלָה (Diqlah) refers to a son of Joktan, mentioned in Genesis 10:27, and possibly denotes an Arabian territory or people. The name is thought to mean 'palm grove.' The entries indicate that it has foreign origins and is associated with a region in Arabia.
דִּקְלָה n.pr.m.(loc.) a son of Joktan, i.e. an Arabian territory or people
base
H1853 דִּקְלָה a son of Joktan
1853 Diqlah dik-law'
of foreign origin; Diklah, a region of Arabia:--Diklah.
דִּקְלָה (diq.lah) — Diklah.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.27;
son of: Joktan (H3355);
brother of: Almodad (H0486), Sheleph (H8026), Hazarmaveth (H2700), Jerah (H3392), Hadoram (H1913A), Uzal (H0187), Obal (H5745), Abimael (H0039), Sheba (H7614H), Ophir (H0211), Havilah (H2341I) and Jobab (H3103)
§ Diklah = "palm grove"
1) a son of Joktan of Arabia
2) an Arabian territory or people?
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
(palm grove). (Genesis 10:27; 1 Chronicles 1:21) a son of Joktan, whose settlements, in common with those of the other sons of Joktan, must be looked for in Arabia. It is thought that Diklah is a part of Arabia containing many palm trees.
A tribe descended from Joktan, Ge 10:27, and dwelling in Southern Arabia, or perhaps near the head of the Persian gulf.
Dildah, his diminishing