Topical Encyclopedia
Joktan is a significant figure in the genealogies of the Bible, particularly within the context of the descendants of Shem, one of Noah's sons. His lineage is detailed in the Book of Genesis and the First Book of Chronicles, where he is presented as a progenitor of several tribes and nations in the ancient Near East.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 10:25-30 : Joktan is introduced as a son of Eber, making him a descendant of Shem. The passage states, "Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan. Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country."
2.
1 Chronicles 1:19-23 : This passage reiterates the genealogy of Joktan, listing his sons and emphasizing his role as a patriarch of numerous tribes. It mirrors the account in Genesis, underscoring the importance of his lineage.
Genealogical Significance:Joktan is a pivotal figure in the Table of Nations, which outlines the spread of peoples and nations following the Great Flood. As a descendant of Shem, Joktan's lineage is part of the Semitic branch, which holds a crucial place in biblical history. His brother, Peleg, is noted for the division of the earth, which some scholars interpret as a reference to a significant event or dispersion of peoples.
Descendants and Their Territories:Joktan's sons are associated with various regions and tribes, many of which are believed to have settled in the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding areas. The mention of places like Ophir and Sheba suggests connections to regions known for wealth and trade, particularly in gold and spices. These associations have led to much scholarly interest in identifying the precise locations and historical impact of Joktan's descendants.
Cultural and Historical Context:The descendants of Joktan are often linked to the early Semitic peoples who played a vital role in the development of civilizations in the Near East. The genealogies serve not only as a record of ancestry but also as a framework for understanding the spread of cultures and languages in the ancient world. The mention of Joktan's sons and their territories provides insight into the geographical and cultural landscape of the time.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, Joktan's inclusion in the genealogies underscores the biblical theme of God's providence and the unfolding of His plan through specific lineages. The division of the earth in Peleg's time and the subsequent spread of Joktan's descendants highlight the movement and growth of nations under divine sovereignty. Joktan's role in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and the fulfillment of God's promises through diverse peoples and lands.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Joktansmall dispute; contention; disgust
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Joktan(small), son of Eber, (Genesis 10:25;1 Chronicles 1:19) and the father of the Joktanite Arabs. (Genesis 10:30) (B.C. about 2200.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
JoktanSon of Eber, and by him connected with the Hebrews and other Shemite families,Genesis 10:25-30;1 Chronicles 1:19-23. He is believed to be the Kahtan, or Yektan, to whom Arabian writers trace their purest and most ancient genealogies.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Little, the second of the two sons of Eber (
Genesis 10:25;
1 Chronicles 1:19). There is an Arab tradition that Joktan (Arab. Kahtan) was the progenitor of all the purest tribes of Central and Southern Arabia.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JOKTANjok'-tan (yoqTan, meaning unknown): "Son" of Eber, and "father" of 13 tribes (Genesis 10:25, 26, 291 Chronicles 1:19, 20, 23).
Strong's Hebrew
187. Uzal -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also a place of unc....... Uzal. 188 . a son of
Joktan, also his desc., also a place of unc.
... Word Origin from
azal Definition a son of
Joktan, also his desc., also a place of unc.
...211. Ophir -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also a region from...
... Ophir. 212 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also a region from which gold comes.
Transliteration: Ophir Phonetic Spelling: (o-feer') Short Definition: Ophir...
5745. Obal -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc.
... 5744, 5745. Obal. 5746 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc.... Word Origin from an
unused word Definition a son ofJoktan, also his desc. NASB Word Usage Obal (1)...
1913. Hadoram -- a son ofJoktan and his desc., also son of the...
... 1912, 1913. Hadoram. 1914 . a son ofJoktan and his desc., also son
of the king of Hamath, perhaps also an official of Rehoboam....
39. Abimael -- "a father is El," a son ofJoktan, also his desc.
... "a father is El," a son ofJoktan, also his desc.... Word Origin from ab and an unused
word Definition "a father is El," a son ofJoktan, also his desc....
486. Almodad -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc.
... Almodad. 487 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc.... Word Origin probably of foreign
origin Definition a son ofJoktan, also his desc. NASB Word Usage Almodad (2)....
3392. Yerach -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc.
... Yerach. 3393 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc.... Word Origin from the same as yareach
Definition a son ofJoktan, also his desc. NASB Word Usage Jerah (2). Jerah...
2700. Chatsarmaveth -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc.
... 2699, 2700. Chatsarmaveth. 2701 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc.... Word Origin
from chatser and maveth Definition a son ofJoktan, also his desc....
1853. Diqlah -- a son ofJoktan, also the S. Arabian tribe desc....
... Diqlah. 1854 . a son ofJoktan, also the S. Arabian tribe desc.... Word Origin from
an unused word Definition a son ofJoktan, also the S. Arabian tribe desc....
3103. Yobab -- a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr....
... Yobab. 3104 . a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr.... Word Origin from
yabab Definition a son ofJoktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr....
Library
That the Original Language in Use among Men was that which was...
... therefore we must by no means suppose that they were born in the order in which
they were set down; otherwise, how could the twelve sons ofJoktan, another son...
Chapter x
... The first is Peleg, the secondJoktan. 25.... For here Peleg andJoktan are distinctly
called "sons," and one is said to be the "brother" of the other....
[Endnotes]
... Aram, "Cush, Mizraim, Phut. Canaan, Salah, Uz, "Seba, Ludim, Sidon, Eber, Hul,
"Havilah, Anamim, Heth, Peleg, Gether,"Sabtah, Lehabim, Jebusite,Joktan, Mash....
The Nations of the South-East
... Babylonian god. In the tenth chapter of Genesis Sheba is one of the sons of
Joktan, the ancestor of the south Arabian tribes. Foremost...
The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... Abraham's mother. Job was thus the great-grandfather of Abraham's mother.
Job's father was calledJoktan, a son of Eber. He lived...
An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Joktan (6 Occurrences)... Little, the second of the two sons of Eber (Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19). There
is an Arab tradition that
Joktan (Arab.
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
JOKTAN.
...Jobab (9 Occurrences)
... Dweller in the desert. (1.) One of the sons ofJoktan, and founder of an Arabian
tribe (Genesis 10:29).... All these were the sons ofJoktan....
Almodad (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Immeasurable, the first named of the sons ofJoktan
(Genesis 10:26), the founder of an Arabian tribe. Int....
Ophir (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) One of the sons ofJoktan (Genesis 10:29).... Genesis
10:29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons ofJoktan....
Jerah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JERAH. je'-ra (yerach): A son ofJoktan (Genesis
10:26 parallel 1 Chronicles 1:20). No district Jerah has been discovered....
Eber (16 Occurrences)
... Eber, in Genesis; Obed, in Ch): (1) Occurs in the genealogies (Genesis 10:21, 25;
Genesis 11:14) as the great-grandson of Shem and father of Peleg andJoktan....
Peleg (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PELEG. pe'-leg (pelegh, "watercourse," "division"):
A son of Eber, and brother ofJoktan.... His brother's name wasJoktan....
Sheleph (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHELEPH. she'-lef (shaleph, in pause; Septuagint
Saleph): Son ofJoktan (Genesis 10:26 1 Chronicles 1:20)....
Havilah (7 Occurrences)
... (3.) One of the sons of Cush (Genesis 10:7). (4.) A son ofJoktan (Genesis
10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23). Int.... All these were the sons ofJoktan....
Sheba (36 Occurrences)
... the Persian Gulf. (2.) Hebrews id. A son ofJoktan (Genesis 10:28), probably
the founder of the Sabeans. (3.) Hebrews id. A son...
Resources
Who are Semites? | GotQuestions.orgIn what way was the earth divided in Peleg's time? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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