Genesis 10:25
To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse connects Peleg's name, meaning "division," to the earth being divided in his days. This isn't just about land boundaries; it hints at a significant separation of people, possibly linked to the confusion of languages mentioned later, which led to distinct nations forming and dispersing across the globe.
This passage is part of a genealogy tracing humanity's lineage after the Flood, specifically focusing on the descendants of Noah's son Shem. It follows the broader "Table of Nations" which details how the world was repopulated and organized. The verse immediately before describes Eber's father, Salah, and the verse after begins listing the numerous sons of Joktan, another of Eber's descendants who would father many tribes.
Have you ever thought about how your name might reflect a significant event or destiny? The name Peleg, given to one of Eber's sons, carries a weighty meaning tied to a pivotal moment in human history.
The name Peleg literally means 'division' in Hebrew. This verse states that 'in his days the earth was divided.'
Two Main Views on 'Division':
Regardless of the exact nature of the division, the name Peleg serves as a constant reminder of a fundamental shift in human society – the transition from a single, unified group to a world of diverse peoples and languages.
While Peleg's name points to a global division, his brother Joktan's lineage quietly established a significant part of the world's population. Who was this 'brother,' and what legacy did he leave?
Joktan, Peleg's brother, is presented as the father of a large group of tribes, primarily associated with the Arabian Peninsula.
Joktan's Descendants:
Understand the original words
Peleg · Hebrew Proper Noun
Meaning 'division' or 'earthquake.' It is used in the biblical narrative to denote a significant geographical or political fracturing of humanity, traditionally associated with the aftermath of the Tower of Babel.
erets · Hebrew Noun
In the context of Genesis, 'earth' often refers to the inhabited world or the land surface. Its division signifies the scattering of nations and the linguistic/cultural fragmentation of humanity initiated by God.
palag · Hebrew Verb
Used here to describe the result of the events in Peleg's days, this refers to the separation or splitting of people groups, often linked to the judgment of God upon human pride at Babel.
The naming of Peleg as 'Division' points to the pivotal event of the dispersion of peoples after the confusion of tongues at Babel. This event marks a critical moment when humanity fractured into distinct linguistic and geographical groups, shaping the world's nations.
c. 2950 BC
Noah's Flood
The great flood reshapes the world, with Noah and his immediate family being the sole survivors.
c. 2900 BC
Early Post-Flood Population Growth
Humanity begins to repopulate the earth. Early generations experience rapid population growth, possibly aided by divine blessing.
c. 2500 BC— this verse
Tower of Babel and Confusion of Tongues
Humanity attempts to build a tower to reach the heavens, leading God to confuse their languages and scatter them across the earth.
c. 2500 BC onwards
Division of the Earth and Nations
Following the confusion of languages, families group together based on linguistic understanding and migrate to distinct regions, forming the early nations.
This passage directly describes the event of the confusion of tongues and the subsequent scattering of people, which is the most common interpretation of the 'division of the earth' in Peleg's day.
Deuteronomy 32:8This verse speaks of God setting the boundaries of nations according to the number of the sons of God, echoing the idea of a divinely orchestrated division of the earth found in Genesis 10:25.
Acts 17:26Paul directly references the principle that God made all nations from one man and determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, reinforcing the concept of God's sovereign division of the earth.
1 Chronicles 1:19This verse also mentions Peleg and the division of the earth in his days, showing the consistent understanding of this event within the biblical narrative and its importance in tracing genealogies.
calvinGenesis 10:1-32: "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood."
Et filii Chus, Seba, et Havilah, et Sabthah, et Rahamah, et Sabtecha. Filii autem Rahamah, Seba, et Dedan.
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Et Chus genuit Nimrod: ipse coepit esse potens in terra:
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
9.…
barnesGenesis 10:25: "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan."
This nation was very extensive, and accordingly branched out into several, of which the immediate ones are Peleg and Joctan. (56) Peleg is remarkable on account of the origin assigned to his name. "In his days was the land divided." Here two questions occur. What is the meaning of the earth being divided, and what is the time denoted by "his day…
The verse connects Peleg's name, meaning "division," to the earth being divided in his days. This isn't just about land boundaries; it hints at a significant separation of people, possibly linked to the confusion of languages mentioned later, which led to distinct nations forming and dispersing across the globe.
This passage is part of a genealogy tracing humanity's lineage after the Flood, specifically focusing on the descendants of Noah's son Shem. It follows the broader "Table of Nations" which details how the world was repopulated and organized. The verse immediately before describes Eber's father, Salah, and the verse after begins listing the numerous sons of Joktan, another of Eber's descendants who would father many tribes.
This passage is part of a genealogy tracing humanity's lineage after the Flood, specifically focusing on the descendants of Noah's son Shem. It follows the broader "Table of Nations" which details how the world was repopulated and organized. The verse immediately before describes Eber's father, Salah, and the verse after begins listing the numerous sons of Joktan, another of Eber's descendants who would father many tribes.
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"To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan." — The verse connects Peleg's name, meaning "division," to the earth being divided in his days. This isn't just about land boundaries; it hints at a significant separation of people, possibly linked to…
