Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites. New Living Translation The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. English Standard Version The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Berean Standard Bible And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. King James Bible And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. New King James Version The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. New American Standard Bible The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. NASB 1995 The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. NASB 1977 And the sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. Legacy Standard Bible The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. Amplified Bible the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Christian Standard Bible And Javan’s sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Holman Christian Standard Bible And Javan’s sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. American Standard Version And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. English Revised Version And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. GOD'S WORD® Translation Javan's descendants were the people from Elishah, Tarshish, Cyprus, and Rhodes. Good News Translation The descendants of Javan were the people of Elishah, Spain, Cyprus, and Rhodes; International Standard Version Javan's descendants included Elisha, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim, NET Bible The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, and the Dodanim. New Heart English Bible The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. Webster's Bible Translation And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. World English Bible The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd sons of Javan [are] Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Young's Literal Translation And sons of Javan are Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Smith's Literal Translation And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Chittim and Dodanirn. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the sons of Javan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cetthim, and Dodanim. Catholic Public Domain Version And the sons of Javan were Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. New American Bible The descendants of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim and the Rodanim. New Revised Standard Version The descendants of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, China, and Doranim. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the children of Yavan: Elisha and Tarshish and Katheem and Doraneem. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the sons of Jovan, Elisa, and Tharseis, Cetians, Rhodians. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Japhethites…3The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. 5From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.… Cross References 1 Chronicles 1:7 And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares. Ezekiel 27:25 The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. And you were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea. Isaiah 23:1 This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. Isaiah 23:6 Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland! Isaiah 23:10 Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor. Jeremiah 2:10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this: Jeremiah 25:22 all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea; Jeremiah 47:4 For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor. Amos 1:9 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. Amos 1:10 So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.” Zechariah 9:2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd. Matthew 11:21-22 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 15:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Mark 3:8 Jerusalem, Idumea, the region beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him when they heard what great things He was doing. Treasury of Scripture And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. A. Numbers 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. Isaiah 23:1,12 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them… Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. Chittim. Jump to Previous Dodanim Elishah Eli'shah Javan Kittim Rodanim TarshishJump to Next Dodanim Elishah Eli'shah Javan Kittim Rodanim TarshishGenesis 10 1. The generations of Noah.2. Japheth. 6. Ham. 8. Nimrod becomes the first monarch; the descendants of Canaan. 21. The sons of Shem. And the sons of Javan: Javan is traditionally understood to represent the Greek peoples, as his name is often associated with the Ionians, one of the major Greek tribes. This connection is supported by historical and linguistic evidence, as the Hebrew name "Javan" is similar to the Greek "Ionia." The mention of Javan in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) highlights the spread of peoples and languages after the flood, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. Persons / Places / Events 1. JavanA son of Japheth, Javan is traditionally associated with the Greek peoples. His descendants are believed to have settled in regions that are now part of Greece and the surrounding areas. 2. Elishah Often associated with the region of Cyprus or parts of Greece, Elishah's descendants are thought to have been involved in trade and maritime activities. 3. Tarshish A location often linked with maritime trade, possibly in the western Mediterranean. Tarshish is mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a place of wealth and commerce. 4. Kittites Likely referring to the people of Kition, an ancient city on the island of Cyprus. The Kittites are associated with seafaring and trade. 5. Rodanites Possibly linked to the island of Rhodes or the surrounding areas. Like the other descendants of Javan, they are associated with maritime activities. Teaching Points The Spread of NationsGenesis 10, often called the Table of Nations, illustrates the spread of humanity across the earth. It reminds us of God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. Cultural and Economic Influence The descendants of Javan, particularly through maritime trade, had a significant impact on the ancient world. This can encourage us to consider how our own cultural and economic activities can influence others for God's glory. God's Plan for Diversity The diversity of nations and cultures is part of God's design. As Christians, we are called to appreciate and engage with this diversity, recognizing the image of God in all people. Legacy and Influence Just as Javan's descendants left a lasting impact, we are reminded of the importance of our own legacy. How we live and the values we pass on can influence future generations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 10:4?2. How does Genesis 10:4 illustrate the spread of nations after the Flood? 3. What significance do the descendants of Javan hold in biblical history? 4. How can understanding Genesis 10:4 deepen our appreciation for God's sovereignty over nations? 5. How does Genesis 10:4 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19? 6. What lessons from Genesis 10:4 can we apply to our cultural interactions today? 7. What is the significance of the descendants of Javan in Genesis 10:4 for biblical history? 8. How does Genesis 10:4 contribute to understanding the Table of Nations? 9. What archaeological evidence supports the existence of the peoples listed in Genesis 10:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 10? 11. What is Satan's role according to the Bible? 12. What will happen to the righteous and the wicked? 13. In Genesis 49:10, how can the claim that 'the scepter shall not depart from Judah' be reconciled with historical periods when no Davidic king ruled? 14. What is the Tablet Theory of Genesis? What Does Genesis 10:4 Mean The sons of Javan“ ‘And the sons of Javan…’ ” (Genesis 10:4) • Javan is presented in Genesis 10:2 as a son of Japheth, making this list a third-generation record from Noah. Because Scripture treats genealogies as factual history (compare 1 Chronicles 1:5–7), we can read the names that follow as real people whose descendants formed identifiable nations. • Verse 5 confirms that these descendants “spread out into their territories, each with his own language,” anchoring the verse in literal post-Flood migration. • Acts 17:26 echoes the point: God “determined the times and boundaries of their habitation,” so tracing Javan’s line reveals the Lord’s hand in forming the maritime peoples around the Mediterranean. Elishah • Ezekiel 27:7 speaks of the “fine linen from Egypt bound with blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah,” showing Elishah’s descendants as seafaring traders. • Many identify their territory with regions along the Aegean or the island of Cyprus, fitting the wider theme of Javan’s line populating the isles (Genesis 10:5). • For today’s reader, Elishah reminds us that God orders even commercial networks, weaving them into His redemptive plan—seen later when Paul sails these same waters (Acts 21:1–3). Tarshish • Tarshish becomes famous for ships (1 Kings 10:22; Jonah 1:3), so Genesis 10:4 introduces a people whose maritime reach would stretch to “the farthest coasts” (Isaiah 66:19). • Their appearance in Solomon’s trade and Jonah’s flight illustrates how descendants of a single post-Flood family can influence both prosperity and prophetic events. • Psalm 72:10 pictures kings of Tarshish bringing tribute to Messiah, pointing forward to global worship that began with this ancient lineage. The Kittites • Numbers 24:24 predicts that “ships will come from the coast of Kittim,” affirming a literal people group active centuries after Genesis 10. • Jeremiah 2:10 invites Israel to “cross to the coasts of Kittim and look,” treating their locale as common knowledge. Most locate Kittim on Cyprus and nearby islands, aligning with Javan’s sphere. • Their repeated biblical appearances show how God used island nations as witnesses to Israel’s covenant, reinforcing the broad sweep of His salvation story. The Rodanites • Also called “Dodanim” in 1 Chronicles 1:7, these descendants are linked to Rhodes and the Dodecanese. Their strategic position at the crossroads of Aegean shipping lanes fits Genesis 10:5’s emphasis on coastlands. • The New Testament shows Paul passing by Rhodes (Acts 21:1), hinting that the gospel later reached the homeland of these ancient sons. • Rodanite history underscores the consistency of Scripture: peoples named early in Genesis continue to shape events all the way into the apostolic era. summary Genesis 10:4 records real sons of Javan whose offspring populated key Mediterranean islands and coasts. Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites became renowned for trade, navigation, and strategic locations—all foreseen in God’s design for post-Flood nations. Their lasting presence across Scripture, from Ezekiel’s commerce to Paul’s voyages, demonstrates the accuracy of the genealogies and the Lord’s sovereign guidance of history toward His redemptive purposes. (4) Javan has four main divisions:--1. Elishah, a maritime people of Greece. Traces of the name occur in Aeolis and in Elis, a district of the Peloponessus. Some boldly identify with Hellas. The isles of Elishah are mentioned in Ezekiel 27:7. 2. Tarshish. 3. Kittim. A plural, like Madai. The Kittim were a maritime race, who colonised Cyprus, the chief city of which was Kitium, and probably other islands and coast-districts of the Mediterranean. There was a Kitium also in Macedonia; and Alexander is called King of the Kittim in 1 Maccabees 1:1. 4. Dodanim. Another plural. The right reading is probably Rodanim, as in many MSS. in 1Chronicles 1:7 and in the LXX., and the Samaritan here. R and D are so constantly interchanged in proper names. owing to the similarity of their shape, that no dependence can be placed upon the reading. The Rodanim would be the Rhodians. Verse 4. - And the sons of Javan; Elizhah. The isles of Elishah are praised by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27:7) for their blue and purple; supposed to have been Elis in the Peloponnesus, famous for its purple dyes (Bochart); AEolis (Josephus, Knobel); Hellas (Michaelis, Rosenmüller, Kalisch); without doubt a maritime people of Grecian stock ('Speaker's Commentary'). And Tarshish. Tarsus in Cilicia (Josephus); but rather Tartessus in Spain (Eusehius, Michaelis, Bochart, Kalisch). Biblical notices represent Tarshish as a wealthy and flourishing seaport town towards the west (vide 1 Kings 10:22; Psalm 48:7; Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 60:9; Isaiah 66:19; Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:12). Kittim. Chittim (Numbers 24:24); Citium in Cyprus (Josephus), though latterly the name appears to have been extended to Citium in Macedonia (Alexander the Great is called the king of Chittim, 1 Macc. 1:1 1 Macc. 8:5), and the colonies which settled on the shores of Italy and Greece (Bochart, Keil, Kalisch). Isaiah 23:1, 12; Daniel 11:30 describe it as a maritime people. And Dodanim. Dordona in Epirus (Michaelis, Rosenmüller); the Dardaniaus, or Trojan's (Gesenius); the Daunians of South Italy (Kalisch); the Rhodani in Gaul, reading as in 1 Chronicles 1:7 (Bochart). Josephus omits the name, and Scripture does not again mention it.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the sonsוּבְנֵ֥י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Javan: יָוָ֖ן (yā·wān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3120: Javan -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land Elishah, אֱלִישָׁ֣ה (’ĕ·lî·šāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 473: Elishah -- a son of Javan, also his descendants and their land Tarshish, וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ (wə·ṯar·šîš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite Kittim, כִּתִּ֖ים (kit·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3794: Kittim -- a son of Javan, also his descendants and their land and Dodanim. וְדֹדָנִֽים׃ (wə·ḏō·ḏā·nîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 1721: Dodanim -- a son of Javan, also his desc Links Genesis 10:4 NIVGenesis 10:4 NLT Genesis 10:4 ESV Genesis 10:4 NASB Genesis 10:4 KJV Genesis 10:4 BibleApps.com Genesis 10:4 Biblia Paralela Genesis 10:4 Chinese Bible Genesis 10:4 French Bible Genesis 10:4 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah Tarshish Kittim (Gen. Ge Gn) |