Who is…
Japheth

Hebrew: יָ֫פֶת —transliteration: Yepheth or Japheth —meaning: uncertain—either “wide spreading” as in “God shall enlarge Japheth” (Hebrew: Yaphat Elohim le-Yephet, Genesis 9:27), or some derive the name from yaphah, “to be beautiful”

Japheth was one of the sons of Noah, mentioned last in order (Genesis 5:32; 6:10; 7:13), perhaps first by birth (10:21; compare 9:24). [Note: The KJV, NKJV and NIV show Japheth as the “elder” in Genesis 10:21. However, the NASB, RSV and NRSV assume the meaning was opposite, that Shem was “the elder brother of Japheth.” The NASB marginal note acknowledges that this assumption may be wrong.]

Japheth and his wife were two of the 8 saved in the ark (1 Peter 3:20). The name of his wife is not mentioned. He was the progenitor of many tribes inhabiting the east of Europe and the north of Asia (Genesis 10:2-5). An act of filial piety (9:20-27) was the occasion of Noah’s prophecy of the extension of his posterity.

After the Flood, the Earth was re-peopled by the descendants of Noah, “the sons of Japheth” (Genesis 10:2), “the sons of Ham” (Gen 10:6), and “the sons of Shem” (Genesis 10:22).

Relatives

Descendants, dispersed after the Tower of Babel confusion of languages

Gomer
   Gomerites: 
     Galatians (Anatolian Galatia)
     Cappadocians
     Cimmerians/Gimmerai (southern Russia)
     Armenians
     Celts
     Gauls

• Magog
   Caucasians
   ScythiansMadai
   Medes
   Persian tribes

• Javan
   Javanites:
     • Elishah
         GreeksTarshish
         Etruscans
         RomansChittim
         Cyprians
         MacedoniansDodanim
         RhodiansTubal
   Tibareni
   Tartars

• Meshech
   Moschi
   Muscovites

• Tiras
   Thracians

Also see

Article Version: July 12, 2021