Lexical Summary Almodad: Almodad Original Word: אַלְמוֹדָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Almodad Probably of foreign derivation -- Almodad, a son of Joktan -- Almodad. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition a son of Joktan, also his desc. NASB Translation Almodad (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַלְמוֺדָד proper name of South-Arabian people (but probably read אֵל (Sabean, god) for אַל, compare Di Genesis 10:26, & GlasSk. ii. 280; ii. 425,435 God is loved (?)) Genesis 10:26; 1 Chronicles 1:20. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences and Context Almodad appears twice in Scripture, once in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:26) and again in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:20. In both records he is listed first among the sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem through Eber. This placement situates Almodad within the Shemite line that preserves the knowledge of the true God after the Flood and before the call of Abram. Genealogical Importance Being the initial name in Joktan’s lineage underscores Almodad’s representative role for an entire branch of post-Flood humanity. The Table of Nations functions not merely as historical record but as theological statement: every people group descends from a common ancestry, and each is accountable to the Creator. Almodad’s inclusion testifies to the meticulous preservation of ancestry that characterizes Genesis and Chronicles, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture’s historical claims. Probable Geographical Associations Ancient sources and linguistic studies locate Joktan’s descendants in the regions of southern Arabia, spanning modern Yemen and Oman and possibly reaching into western Saudi Arabia. While archaeological affirmation is necessarily incomplete, the known pattern of Joktanite settlement in the Arabian Peninsula harmonizes with both biblical and extra-biblical data. Almodad, therefore, likely fathered an Arabian tribe whose territory contributed to the economic and cultural networks of the ancient Near East, including the lucrative incense routes that later intersected with Israel’s trade. Theological Themes 1. Sovereignty Over Nations: By enumerating Joktan’s sons—and starting with Almodad—Genesis 10 declares that nations neither arise by chance nor exist independently of divine oversight (compare Deuteronomy 32:8). Historical Significance for Israel The Arabian tribes stemming from Joktan interacted with Israel in trade, diplomacy, and occasionally conflict. Understanding Almodad as a progenitor of Arabian peoples illuminates prophetic passages addressing the sons of the East (for example, Isaiah 21; Jeremiah 25). It also offers perspective on the wise men from the East who came to worship the newborn Christ (Matthew 2), illustrating the enduring spiritual connections among Shemite peoples. Ministry Applications • Global Missions: The genealogies vindicate the global reach of the Gospel. Almodad’s line, distant from Israel in both geography and covenant, underscores the missionary imperative to reach every nation (Matthew 28:19). Key Verse “Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.” (Genesis 10:26-29) Summary Almodad, though mentioned only twice, embodies the broader themes of Genesis: the ordering of nations, the faithfulness of God to preserve human history, and the universal scope of His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אַלְמוֹדָ֖ד אלמודד ’al·mō·w·ḏāḏ ’almōwḏāḏ almoDadLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:26 HEB: יָלַ֔ד אֶת־ אַלְמוֹדָ֖ד וְאֶת־ שָׁ֑לֶף NAS: became the father of Almodad and Sheleph KJV: begat Almodad, and Sheleph, INT: Joktan became of Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth 1 Chronicles 1:20 2 Occurrences |
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