Genesis:10

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* Verse 1-7 - This chapter shows concerning the three sons of Noah , that of them was the whole earth overspread . No nation but that of the Jews can be sure from which of these seventy it has come . The lists of names of fathers and sons were preserved of the Jews alone , for the sake of the Messiah . Many learned men , however , have , with some probability , shown which of the nations of the earth descended from each of the sons of Noah To the posterity of Japheth were allotted the isles of the gentiles ; probably , the island of Britain among the rest . All places beyond the sea from Judea are called isles , Jeremiah strkjv @25:22 . That promise , Isaiah strkjv @42:4 ,. The isles shall wait for his law , speaks of the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Christ . * Verse 8-14 - Nimrod was a great man in his day ; he began to be mighty in the earth , Those before him were content to be upon the same level with their neighbours , and though every man bare rule in his own house , yet no man pretended any further . Nimrod was resolved to lord it over his neighbours . The spirit of the giants before the flood , who became mighty men , and men of renown , Genesis strkjv @6:4 ,. revived in him . Nimrod was a great hunter . Hunting then was the method of preventing the hurtful increase of wild beasts . This required great courage and address , and thus gave an opportunity for Nimrod to command others , and gradually attached a number of men to one leader . From such a beginning , it is likely , that Nimrod began to rule , and to force others to submit . He invaded his neighbours ' rights and properties , and persecuted innocent men ; endeavouring to make all his own by force and violence . He carried on his oppressions and violence in defiance of God himself . Nimrod was a great ruler . Some way or other , by arts or arms , he got into power , and so founded a monarchy , which was the terror of the mighty , and bid fair to rule all the world . Nimrod was a great builder . Observe in Nimrod the nature of ambition . It is boundless ; much would have more , and still cries , Give , give . It is restless ; Nimrod , when he had four cities under his command , could not be content till he had four more . It is expensive ; Nimrod will rather be at the charge of rearing cities , than not have the honour of ruling them . It is daring , and will stick at nothing . Nimrod 's name signifies rebellion ; tyrants to men are rebels to God . The days are coming , when conquerors will no longer be spoken of with praise , as in man 's partial histories , but be branded with infamy , as in the impartial records of the Bible . * Verse 15-32 - The posterity of Canaan were numerous , rich , and pleasantly seated ; yet Canaan was under a Divine curse , and not a curse causeless . Those that are under the curse of God , may , perhaps , thrive and prosper in this world ; for we cannot know love or hatred , the blessing or the curse , by what is before us , but by what is within us . The curse of God always works really , and always terribly . Perhaps it is a secret curse , a curse to the soul , and does not work so that others can see it ; or a slow curse , and does not work soon ; but sinners are reserved by it for a day of wrath Canaan here has a better land than either Shem or Japheth , and yet they have a better lot , for they inherit the blessing . Abram and his seed , God 's covenant people , descended from Eber , and from him were called Hebrews . How much better it is to be like Eber , the father of a family of saints and honest men , than the father of a family of hunters after power , worldly wealth , or vanities . Goodness is true greatness . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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