Definition: Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were [children] born.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 10:21. It’s a really interesting and symbolic passage about beginnings! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that Shem (a very old person) had children with Japheth. Let’s unpack that a little further: Genesis 10: This is a story from the beginning of the Bible – it tells how the Earth and everything on it was created. It's about how the world started. Shem: Shem was a very old man who lived long ago, before the time of Noah. He’s considered a significant figure in early biblical history. Japheth: Japheth is another name for the son of Abraham (who is important in Jewish and Christian traditions). “The brother of Japheth the elder…” This means that Japheth was Shem's younger brother. "...even to him were [children] born." This is the key part! It signifies that Shem had descendants (children) through Japheth. It’s a metaphor for creation: Many people think of this verse as a way of saying that everything came from God. God created the Earth, and then He set things in motion – like the formation of the planets, stars, and eventually, all the different creatures and humans on Earth. Shem’s children are essentially the continuation of that original creation process, showing how God established a lineage. Why is it significant? It shows continuity: It demonstrates that God isn't just creating things in isolation; He creates through something – in this case, Japheth. It establishes a family line: It highlights the idea of a connected family history, showing how generations are linked through the actions of our ancestors. In short, it’s a beautiful and symbolic verse that speaks to God's creative power and the continuation of life. --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss what this verse might mean in a specific context (like its connection to the story of creation)?