Genesis 10:21
“Children were also born to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth.”
What does Genesis 10:21 mean?
Shem was one of Noah's three sons, and this verse is establishing his importance in the genealogical line that leads to Abraham and eventually to Israel. The phrase "father of all the children of Eber" is significant because Eber's name becomes the root for "Hebrew," connecting this ancient family line to the people whose story fills much of Scripture. The note that Shem is Japheth's elder brother places him in the family hierarchy, suggesting his line held particular significance to the biblical author. For readers tracing how God's covenant promises moved through history, Shem represents a crucial link between Noah and the nation God called to be his people.