Arphaxad: Son of Shem
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Introduction:
Arphaxad is a significant figure in the genealogical records of the Bible, known primarily as a son of Shem, who was one of the three sons of Noah. His lineage is crucial in the biblical narrative as it leads to the patriarch Abraham, making Arphaxad an ancestor of the Israelites and, by extension, a key figure in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.

Biblical References:
Arphaxad is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, which provides the foundational genealogical records. Genesis 10:22 lists Arphaxad among the sons of Shem: "The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram." This passage situates Arphaxad within the Table of Nations, which outlines the descendants of Noah's sons after the Flood.

Further details about Arphaxad's lineage are provided in Genesis 11:10-13: "This is the account of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad. And after he had become the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters. When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah." This passage highlights the continuation of the line from Shem through Arphaxad, emphasizing the longevity and fruitfulness of the post-Flood generations.

Genealogical Significance:
Arphaxad's role in the biblical genealogies is pivotal. He is part of the line that leads directly to Abraham, as outlined in Genesis 11 and reiterated in 1 Chronicles 1:17-24. This lineage is crucial for understanding the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants, which include the establishment of the nation of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

The New Testament also acknowledges Arphaxad's place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, the genealogy of Jesus traces His lineage back to Adam, and Arphaxad is mentioned as an ancestor (Luke 3:36). This connection underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history, from the early post-Flood generations to the advent of Christ.

Historical and Cultural Context:
Arphaxad lived in the period following the Great Flood, a time when humanity was beginning to repopulate and spread across the earth. The descendants of Shem, including Arphaxad, are traditionally associated with the Semitic peoples, who played a significant role in the ancient Near East. The name "Arphaxad" itself is of uncertain etymology, but it is often linked to the region of Arpachshad, which some scholars associate with northern Mesopotamia.

Theological Implications:
Arphaxad's inclusion in the biblical genealogies serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant through whom His promises would be fulfilled. The genealogical records emphasize the importance of family lines and heritage in the biblical narrative, reflecting the continuity of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Arphaxad's place in the genealogy leading to Abraham highlights the unfolding of God's plan for salvation, which ultimately culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through Arphaxad and his descendants, the biblical narrative traces the development of a people set apart for God's purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and providence throughout history.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 10:22
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
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Genesis 11:10-13
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
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1 Chronicles 1:17,18,24
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
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Luke 3:36
Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
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Greek
742. Arphaxad -- Arphaxad, a son of Shem and an ancestor of Christ
... Indeclinable Transliteration: Arphaxad Phonetic Spelling: (ar-fax-ad') Short Definition:
Arphaxad Definition: Arphaxad, son of Shem, and father of Cainan. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/742.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
775. Arpakshad -- third son of Shem, also the region settled by ...
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition third son of Shem, also the region
settled by him NASB Word Usage Arpachshad (9). Arphaxad. ...
/hebrew/775.htm - 6k
Library

Of the Genealogy of Shem, in Whose Line the City of God is ...
... And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred ... like manner it registers the
rest, naming the year of his life in which each begat the son who belonged ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the genealogy of.htm

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... For Shem begat, among other sons, Arphaxad; Arphaxad begat Cainan, Cainan begat
Salah ... to one of these sons; then it mentions another son of Shem, who begat a ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... thirty-fifth year of his age. Arphaxad was the son of Shem, and born twelve
years after the deluge. Now Abram had two brethren, Nahor ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how every nation.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... name "Hebrew" comes from this man"Genesis 10:21; xl.15; Exodus 2:6], the son of
Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son
of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Chronology from Adam.
... And immediately after the flood, Shem, who was 100 years old, begat Arphaxad. And
Arphaxad, when 135 years old, begat Salah. And Salah begat a son when 130. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxiv chronology from adam.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... Arphaxad begets Cainan seventy-four years after the Flood; [271] Cainan begets Salah
in ... which lore he wrote in a book and imparted to his son Shem before his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Jewish Chronology.
... in Judea, which obtained its name from Judah, fourth son of Jacob ... is Ca??nan; and
of this Ca??nan the father is Arphaxad, whose father is Shem; and of ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvi jewish chronology.htm

The Pentateuch.
... age of each of the six patriarchs after Shem one hundred years before the birth
of his son. ... The latter also inserts after Arphaxad a Cainan who was one ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... part of Mesopotamia and through his son, Uz, gave the ... All the other sons of Shem
and their descendants are ... of Chapter eleven, except that of Arphaxad from whom ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

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

Who are Semites? | GotQuestions.org

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Arphaxad

Arphaxad: Son of Shem

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