Japhet
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Introduction:
Japhet, also spelled Japheth, is one of the three sons of Noah mentioned in the Bible. He is a significant figure in the genealogical records of the Scriptures, representing one of the foundational patriarchs post-Flood. Japhet's lineage is traditionally associated with the spread of nations and peoples across the earth.

Biblical References:
Japhet is first introduced in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 5:32 , it states, "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth." Japhet is often listed last among Noah's sons, which some scholars suggest may indicate he was the youngest, though this is not definitively stated in the text.

The Flood Narrative:
Japhet plays a role in the narrative of the Great Flood. In Genesis 6:10 , it is noted, "Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth." Japhet, along with his brothers and their wives, was saved from the Flood by entering the ark built by Noah, as commanded by God. This act of salvation is a pivotal moment in biblical history, symbolizing God's judgment and mercy.

The Blessing of Japhet:
After the Flood, Noah pronounces blessings and curses upon his sons. In Genesis 9:27 , Noah declares, "May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem; and may Canaan be his servant." This blessing has been interpreted as prophetic, suggesting that Japhet's descendants would spread widely and have a significant influence on the world.

Descendants of Japhet:
Genesis 10, often referred to as the Table of Nations, outlines the descendants of Japhet. In Genesis 10:2-5 , it lists his sons: "The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras." These names are associated with various peoples and regions, traditionally linked to areas in Europe and Asia. Japhet's descendants are believed to have populated the northern and western parts of the known world.

Cultural and Historical Impact:
The descendants of Japhet are often associated with the Indo-European peoples. This connection is drawn from the geographical and historical spread of Japhet's lineage as described in the Bible. The expansion and influence of these peoples have been significant throughout history, contributing to the development of various civilizations and cultures.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, Japhet's account underscores themes of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises. The blessing of Japhet, particularly the phrase "may he dwell in the tents of Shem," has been interpreted by some Christian theologians as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into the spiritual blessings of Israel, through the lineage of Shem, which ultimately leads to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:
Japhet's role in the biblical narrative is foundational in understanding the spread of humanity and the fulfillment of God's promises to Noah's descendants. His account is a testament to the unfolding of God's plan for the nations and the intricate tapestry of human history as seen through the lens of Scripture.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Japhet

enlarged; fair; persuading

Library

How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... Japhet, the son of Noah, had seven sons: they inhabited so, that, beginning at the
mountains Taurus and Amanus, they proceeded along Asia, as far as the river ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how every nation.htm

The Cross and the Winepress.
... I saw there the Patriarch Japhet, a majestic dark-complexioned old man, surrounded
by immense flocks and herds and a numerous posterity: his children as well ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lv the cross and.htm

The Promise.
... son of the undutiful Ham, should be accursed, and a servant of servants; that Shem
should especially belong to the Lord God, and that Japhet's posterity should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson i the promise.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... [768] Now the he-goat has become the mighty beast. For when the children of Japhet
held the kingdom, then they slew Darius, the king of Persia. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

Then Noah First of all Erected an Altar to God...
... the world. Accordingly, the sons of Noah were alone left in the then vacant
world; for he had three, Shem, Ham, and Japhet. But ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iv then noah first.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Noah
... Noah then was a man perfect and righteous and kept God's commandment. And when
he was five hundred years old, he gat Shem, Ham, and Japhet. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... was uncovered, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but
to them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, both Shem and Japhet, the power ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

The Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
... Deliverance is to come from the descendants of Shem; Japhet shall become a
partaker of this deliverance; Ham is passed over in silence. ...
/.../christology of the old testament/the messianic prophecies in the.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... The art of writing, which they seem to have caught from the Hebrews, went from them
to the Greeks, sons of Japhet, who lived more to the north, in what were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Alexander.
... The people who dwelt in them have been named Greeks; they were sons of Japhet, and
were the race whom God endowed, above all others, with gifts of the body and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

Resources
Who was Japheth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the biblical account of Shem, Ham, and Japheth? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the sons of Noah, and what happened to them and their descendants? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Japhet

Japheth

Japheth: Descendants of

Japheth: His Life Preserved at the Time of the Great Flood

Japheth: Prudence of, on the Occasion of Noah's Drunkenness

Japheth: Son of Noah

Related Terms

Shem (17 Occurrences)

Tubal (9 Occurrences)

Magog (5 Occurrences)

Javan (12 Occurrences)

Gomer (7 Occurrences)

Tiras (2 Occurrences)

Meshech (11 Occurrences)

Madai (2 Occurrences)

Nations (683 Occurrences)

Table (125 Occurrences)

Noah's (5 Occurrences)

Togarmah (4 Occurrences)

Enlarge (18 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Mede (3 Occurrences)

Begetteth (52 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Japhia (5 Occurrences)

Genealogy (29 Occurrences)

Ham (16 Occurrences)

Born (228 Occurrences)

Noah (55 Occurrences)

500 (4 Occurrences)

Nakedness (50 Occurrences)

Unclothed (14 Occurrences)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

Older (43 Occurrences)

Janum (1 Occurrence)

Living-place (83 Occurrences)

Generations (148 Occurrences)

Isles (32 Occurrences)

Faces (158 Occurrences)

Flow (85 Occurrences)

Tents (284 Occurrences)

Records (50 Occurrences)

Enlargement (7 Occurrences)

Eber (16 Occurrences)

Diphath (1 Occurrence)

Dodanim (2 Occurrences)

Mesech (1 Occurrence)

Backward (39 Occurrences)

Births (34 Occurrences)

Backwards (3 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Backs (46 Occurrences)

Chittim (5 Occurrences)

Ancestor (5 Occurrences)

Ashkenaz (3 Occurrences)

Shoulders (38 Occurrences)

Selfsame (18 Occurrences)

Scythian (1 Occurrence)

Self-same (17 Occurrences)

Addition (112 Occurrences)

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)

Wives (159 Occurrences)

Robe (142 Occurrences)

Shoulder (72 Occurrences)

Gentiles (150 Occurrences)

Namely (81 Occurrences)

Flood (70 Occurrences)

Walked (178 Occurrences)

Cover (254 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Taketh (398 Occurrences)

Across (172 Occurrences)

Beauty (98 Occurrences)

Elder (34 Occurrences)

Father's (251 Occurrences)

Bondman (108 Occurrences)

Begotten (77 Occurrences)

Dwell (474 Occurrences)

Genesis

Waters (386 Occurrences)

Territory (140 Occurrences)

Ark (212 Occurrences)

Ship (122 Occurrences)

Janum: A City of the Tribe of Judah
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