The sons of Ham:Ham is one of the three sons of Noah, and his descendants are traditionally associated with the regions of Africa and parts of the Near East. The lineage of Ham is significant in the biblical narrative as it outlines the origins of several nations that play crucial roles in the history of Israel. Ham's descendants are often linked to the spread of civilization and culture in these regions.
Cush:
Cush is generally identified with the region south of Egypt, known today as Sudan and parts of Ethiopia. In biblical times, Cush was a powerful kingdom, and its people were known for their strength and stature. The prophet Isaiah mentions Cush in the context of God's judgment and salvation (Isaiah 18). Cush is also significant in the story of the Ethiopian eunuch inActs 8, who becomes one of the first African converts to Christianity, symbolizing the spread of the Gospel to all nations.
Mizraim:
Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, one of the most prominent civilizations in the ancient world. Egypt plays a central role in the biblical narrative, from the story of Joseph and the Israelites' enslavement to the Exodus. The cultural and historical influence of Egypt is evident throughout the Bible, and it often serves as a symbol of worldly power and idolatry. The plagues and the parting of the Red Sea are key events that demonstrate God's power over Egypt and its gods.
Put:
Put is often associated with the region of Libya in North Africa. While not as frequently mentioned as other descendants of Ham, Put is included in the lists of nations inEzekiel 27 and 38, where it is depicted as a trading partner and ally in military conflicts. The mention of Put highlights the interconnectedness of ancient Near Eastern and African cultures and their interactions with Israel.
Canaan:
Canaan is perhaps the most significant of Ham's descendants in the biblical narrative, as it refers to the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices, which often brought them into conflict with the Israelites. The conquest of Canaan under Joshua is a pivotal event in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promises. The Canaanites' eventual displacement serves as a type of the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over sin and idolatry.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HamOne of Noah's three sons, Ham is the father of the nations listed in this verse. His descendants are traditionally associated with Africa and parts of the Near East.
2.
CushOften associated with the region south of Egypt, possibly modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. Cush is considered the progenitor of the Cushite people.
3.
MizraimThis name is commonly associated with Egypt. Mizraim is considered the ancestor of the Egyptians.
4.
PutTraditionally linked to the region of Libya in North Africa. Put is considered the ancestor of the Libyan people.
5.
CanaanThe ancestor of the Canaanites, who inhabited the land of Canaan, a region that includes modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Syria and Jordan.
Teaching Points
Understanding Lineage and LegacyThe genealogies in Genesis remind us of the importance of lineage and legacy. They show how God’s plan unfolds through generations, emphasizing the impact of our actions on future generations.
God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe division of nations and peoples demonstrates God's sovereignty and His orchestration of history. We can trust that God is in control of the nations today just as He was in biblical times.
The Consequences of SinThe curse on Canaan and the subsequent history of his descendants serve as a reminder of the long-term consequences of sin and disobedience.
Cultural and Historical ContextUnderstanding the historical and cultural context of these nations helps us appreciate the depth and richness of biblical accounts and their relevance to our lives.
Unity in DiversityDespite the division of nations, the Bible ultimately points to a future where all nations are united in worship of God, encouraging us to seek unity and peace among diverse peoples.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 10:6?
2.How does Genesis 10:6 help us understand the descendants of Ham's lineage?
3.What role do Ham's sons play in the broader biblical narrative?
4.How can we apply the lessons from Ham's lineage to our family life?
5.How does Genesis 10:6 connect with the Table of Nations in Genesis 10?
6.What insights does Genesis 10:6 provide about God's plan for different nations?
7.What is the significance of Ham's descendants in Genesis 10:6 for biblical history?
8.How does Genesis 10:6 relate to the Table of Nations?
9.Why are Ham's sons specifically named in Genesis 10:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 10?
11.What does the Bible say about Egypt?
12.What role did Egyptians play in biblical narratives?
13.Who was Cush in the Bible?
14.Who was Nimrod in the Bible?What Does Genesis 10:6 Mean
The sons of HamGenesis 10:6 records, “The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.” In the flow of Genesis, this short sentence does several things:
• Anchors the narrative in real history, linking Noah’s family inGenesis 9:18–19 with the nations that will fill the world (see also1 Chronicles 1:8).
• Shows that God’s command inGenesis 9:1 to “be fruitful and multiply” is taking shape.
• Sets up later Bible events where these four family lines repeatedly appear—sometimes as allies, often as opponents—so we can trace God’s dealings with every nation (Acts 17:26).
Cush• Cush’s territory lay south of Egypt; later Scripture associates it with Ethiopia/Sudan (Isaiah 18:1;Zephaniah 3:10).
• Cush’s sons include Nimrod, the empire-builder of Babel (Genesis 10:8–12), reminding us how quickly human pride resurfaces after the flood.
• Yet God’s reach extends even here: an Ethiopian official will rejoice over Isaiah’s promise of salvation when Philip explains it (Acts 8:27–35).
Mizraim• Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, the land where Abraham seeks refuge (Genesis 12:10), where Joseph rises to power (Genesis 41:39–41), and where Israel later suffers oppression (Exodus 1:8–14).
• Egypt’s repeated appearances—plagues (Exodus 7–12), exodus, later alliances and judgments (Isaiah 19:1–4)—all flow from this one ancestral line.
•Psalm 78:51 andPsalm 105:23–38 still call Egypt “the land of Ham,” underscoring both its origin and God’s sovereign work there.
Put• Put’s descendants settled west of Egypt, usually identified with Libya and North Africa.
• Prophets group Put with other North African powers standing against God’s purposes (Ezekiel 30:4–5;Nahum 3:9), yet their inclusion in the Table of Nations shows they too are under His authority.
•Jeremiah 46:9 pictures Put’s warriors riding into battle alongside Egypt—fulfilling the family connection traced back to Ham.
Canaan• Canaan receives special focus because his land will become the stage for God’s covenant plan. After Ham’s sin, Noah foretells tension between Canaan and Shem’s line (Genesis 9:25–27).
•Genesis 10:15–19 lists nations springing from Canaan—Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites—peoples Israel will confront (Deuteronomy 7:1).
• God’s promise to Abraham inGenesis 12:6–7 and the conquest under Joshua (Joshua 3:10) both hinge on this genealogy, showing that the Lord’s promises unfold through specific people and places.
summaryGenesis 10:6 is more than a roll call—it is a roadmap. By naming Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan, the verse shows how Noah’s family repopulated the earth, how major nations arose, and how God’s redemptive story would weave through each line. From Africa’s distant shores to Canaan’s hills, every branch of Ham’s family tree stands as a reminder that the Creator directs history and keeps His promises to all peoples.
(6)
Ham.--Many derive this word from a Hebrew root, and explain it as signifying
hot, sunburnt,and so swarthy. Japheth they connect with a word signifying
to be fair;and so Ham is the progenitor of dark races, Japheth of those of a fair complexion, while the olive- coloured spring from Shem. More probably it is
Chemi,the old name of Egypt, "the land of Ham" (
Psalm 78:51), called by Plutarch Chemia, and was taken from the
blackcolour of the soil.
The Hamites are grouped in four principal divisions:--
1. Cush.Aethiopia, but not that of Africa, but of Asia. The home of the Cushites was on the Tigris and Euphrates, where Nimrod raised them to great power. Thence they spread into the southern peninsula of Arabia, and crossing the Red Sea at a later date, colonised Nubia and Abyssinia. In the Bible Cush is watered by the Gihon (Genesis 2:13); and Zipporah, the wife of Moses, and daughter of a priest of Midian, is inNumbers 12:1 called a Cushite. Their high rank in old time is marked by the place held by them in theIliadof Homer.2. Mizraim.
Egypt. In form the word is a dual, and may point to the division of the country into Upper and Lower Egypt. If we choose to interpret a Hamite word by a Hebrew root, it may signify thenarrowed land,but it is safer to leave these words till increased knowledge shall enable us to decide with some security upon their meaning. For the ancient name of Mizraim seeGenesis 10:6, and for its extent seeGenesis 10:14. From the study of the skulls and bodies of a large number of mummies Brugsch-Bey in his recent history has come to the conclusion that the ancient Egyptians did not belong to any African race, but to the great Caucasian family, "but not of the Pelasgic or Semitic branches, but of a third, Cushite." He adds that the cradle of the Egyptian nation must be sought in Central Asia. . . .
Verse 6. -
And the sons of Ham. These, who occupy the second place, that the list might conclude with the Shemites as the line of promise, number thirty, of whom only four were immediate descendants. Their territory generally embraced the southern portions of the globe. Hence the name Ham has been connected with
חָמַס, to be warm, though Kalisch declares it to be not of Hebrew, but Egyptian origin, appearing in the Chme of the Rosetta Stone. The most usual ancient name of the country was Kern, the
black land. Scripture speaks of Egypt as the land of Ham (
Psalm 78:51;
Psalm 105:23;
Psalm 106:22)
Cush. Ethiopia, including Arabia "quae mater est," and Abyssinia "quae colonia" (Michaelis, Rosenmüller). The original settlement of Cush, however, is believed to have been on the Upper Nile, whence he afterwards spread to Arabia, Babylonia, India (Knobel, Kalisch, Lange, Rawlinson). Murphy thinks he may have started from the Caucasus, the Caspian, and. the Cossaei of Khusistan, and. migrated south (to Egypt) and east (to India). Josephus mentions that in his day Ethiopia was called Cush; the Syriac translates
ἀνὴρἈιθίοψ (
Acts 8:27) by Cuschaeos; the ancient Egyptian name of Ethiopia was
Keesh, Kish, or Kush ('Records of the Past, 4:7). The Cushites are described as of a black color (
Jeremiah 13:23) and of great stature (
Isaiah 45:14).
And Mizraim. A dual form probably designed to represent the two Egypts, upper and lower (Gesenius, Keil, Kalisch), though it has been discovered in ancient Egyptian as the name of a Hittite chief (
circaB.C. 1300, contemporary with Rameses II.), written in hieroglyphics
M'azrima, Ma being the sign for the dual. The old Egyptian name is
Kemi, Chemi, with obvious reference to Ham; the name Egypt being probably derived from
Kaphtah, the land of Ptah. The singular form Mazor is found in later books (
2 Kings 19:24;
Isaiah 19:6; 35:25), and usually denotes Lower Egypt.
And Phut.
Phet (Old Egyptian),
Phaiat (Coptic); the Libyans in the north of Africa (Josephus, LXX., Gesenins, Bochart). Kalisch suggests
Buto or
Butos, the capital of the delta of the Nile. And Canaan. Hebrew,
Kenaan (
vide on Genesis 9:25). The extent of the territory occupied by the fourth son of Ham is defined in vers. 15-19.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The sonsוּבְנֵ֖י(ū·ḇə·nê)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Ham:חָ֑ם(ḥām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2526:Ham -- a son of Noah, also his descendants, also a name for EgyptiansCush,כּ֥וּשׁ(kūš)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3568:A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile ValleyMizraim,וּמִצְרַ֖יִם(ū·miṣ·ra·yim)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest AfricaPut,וּפ֥וּט(ū·p̄ūṭ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6316:Put -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their landand Canaan.וּכְנָֽעַן׃(ū·ḵə·nā·‘an)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667:Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan
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OT Law: Genesis 10:6 The sons of Ham: Cush Mizraim Put (Gen. Ge Gn) 
