Genesis 10:3 (KJV)

What does Genesis 10:3 mean?

Genesis 10:3 lists the sons of Gomer as Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the descendants of Gomer, who was one of the sons of Japheth, after the flood.

Genesis 10 is often called the Table of Nations, where the writer (traditionally Moses) records the origins of various peoples after Noah. By naming Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah as Gomer’s sons, the verse traces the roots of certain ancient groups and helps map out how different nations spread across the earth after the flood.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 10:3

• גֹּמֶר (Gomer, H1586): This name refers to a descendant of Japheth. Gomer is often associated with peoples who settled in the regions north of Israel, possibly in areas around Anatolia or the Black Sea.
• אַשְׁכְּנַז (Ashkenaz, H813): Ashkenaz is traditionally linked to peoples in the area north and east of Israel, and later Jewish tradition connected Ashkenaz with regions in Europe.
• רִיפַת (Riphath, H7384): The meaning and location of Riphath are less certain, but the name marks a distinct group descended from Gomer.
• תֹּגַרְמָה (Togarmah, H8425): Togarmah is often associated with peoples in Anatolia or Armenia, showing the spread of Gomer’s descendants into different regions.

Why Genesis 10:3 matters

• Genesis 10:3 helps clarify the origins of several ancient peoples, showing how the descendants of Noah’s family spread out after the flood.
• The verse connects to the broader genealogy in Genesis 10, which aims to explain the diversity of nations and languages in the ancient world.
• By naming specific descendants, Genesis 10:3 provides a foundation for understanding later references to these groups in the Bible and in historical records.