“The sons of Yefet: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Yavan, and Tuval, and Meshekh, and Tiras” (Genesis 10:2). “The sons of Yefet: Gomer, and Magog [and Madai]” – these are Africa, Germania, Madai. [“And Yavan, and Tuval and Meshekh”] – Macedonia, Isnia, and Tonia. “Tiras” – Rabbi Simon said: This is Persia. The Rabbis say: Thrace. “And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Rifat, and Togarma” (Genesis 10:3). “And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Rifat, and Togarma” – Asia, Adiabene, and Germania; Rabbi Berekhya said: Germanicia. “And the sons of Yavan: Elisha, and Tarshish, Kitim, and Dodanim” (Genesis 10:4). “And the sons of Yavan: Elisha, and Tarshish, [Kitim, and Dodanim]” – Hellas and Tarsus, Italia, and Dardania. One verse says: “And Dodanim” and another verse says: “and Rodanim”(I Chronicles 1:7).1Referring to the same nation. Rabbi Simon and Rabbi Ḥanin, Rabbi Simon said: Dodanim – because they were Israel’s cousins [benei dodin]. Rodanim – because they would come and oppress [rodin] them.2They sometimes regarded themselves as close as kin to Israel, and at other times they oppressed them. Rabbi Ḥanina said: When Israel is ascendant, they say to them: ‘We are your cousins,’ and when they are in decline, they come and oppress them.
“And the sons of Ḥam: Kush, and Mitzrayim, and Put, and Canaan” (Genesis 10:6). “And the sons of Ḥam: Kush, and Mitzrayim, and Put, and Canaan” –Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: We might have been under the impression that the family of Put was assimilated [into other nations].3Since, unlike all his brothers, he is never mentioned again in the Torah. But Ezekiel came and stated explicitly [otherwise]: “Kush, Put and Lud and all the intermingled people, Cub and the children of the land of the covenant, will fall with them by the sword” (Ezekiel 30:5).4Put is mentioned as an extant nation in the times of Ezekiel. “And Kush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth” (Genesis 10:8). “He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said: Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:9). “And Kush begot Nimrod” – that is what is written: “A meditation by David, a song that he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Kush Ben Yemini” (Psalms 7:1). Rabbi Yehoshua bar Neḥemya in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Yitzḥak: He said it corresponding to the [harsh] justice administered by that wicked one.5Esau/Edom, and his descendants, the Romans. But was Esau a Kushite?6Of course not; he was a descendant of Abraham. The meaning [of this description] is, rather, that he performed deeds like the deeds of [Kush’s son] Nimrod. That is what is written: “Therefore it is said:…Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord” is not written here, but rather, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter” (Genesis 10:9)7Implying that there is someone else who is “like Nimrod.” – just as that one hunted [ensnared] people through their words, so, too, this one hunts [ensnares] people with their words.8Of Esau it is said “he had [meat from] hunted animals in his mouth” (Genesis 25:28). [They say:] ‘You [claim you] did not steal? Who stole with you?9The judge would thus seek to incriminate the defendant despite his protestations of innocence. You [claim you] did not kill? Who killed with you?’
“He [hu] was a mighty hunter before the Lord” – there five instances of hu10When hu (meaning “he is” or “he was”) is used to introduce a description of a person just named. that are in a good sense and five instances of hu that are in a bad sense. [These are the bad ones:] “Hewas a mighty hunter before the Lord”; “He is Esau, father of Edom” (Genesis 36:43); “He wasDatan, and Aviram” (Numbers 26:9); “He was King Aḥaz” (II Chronicles 28:22); “He wasAḥashverosh” (Esther 1:1). And five are in a good sense: “Abram, he isAbraham” (I Chronicles 1:27); “He wasMoses, and Aaron” (Exodus 6:27); “He isAaron, and Moses” (Exodus 6:26); “He was King Hezekiah” (II Chronicles 32:30); “He was Ezra, ascended from Babylon” (Ezra 7:6). Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Ḥanin: We have one that is even better than them all: “He is the Lord our God” (Psalms 105:7), meaning that His attribute of mercy is eternal.
“The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne, in the land of Shinar” (Genesis 10:10). “The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne” – Ḥeren, Nesibin, and Katosfin. “In the land of Shinar” – this is Babylon. Why was it called Shinar? Reish Lakish said: It is because all the dead of the Flood were deposited [ninaru] there. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because it is empty [meno’eret] of mitzvot, as there is no teruma, no tithes, and no Sabbatical year [there]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because they [its inhabitants] would die in discomfort [tashnik], without a lamp and without a bath.11Oil for lamps and wood for heating water were in short supply in Babylon. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because their princes12Torah scholars. die as youths [ne’arim]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because its princes look into the Torah while they are still youths [ne’arim]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because it produced an enemy [soneh] and a foe [ar] of the Holy One blessed be He. Who is that? It is Nebuchadnezzar. “Ashur left that land, and he built Nineveh, and Rehovot Ir, and Kalah” (Genesis 10:11). “And Resen between Nineveh and Kalah; that is the great city” (Genesis 10:12). “Ashur left that land” – Ashur left that conspiracy [of Babel].13The conspiracy that led to the building of the Tower of Babel. When he saw all of them coming to contest the Holy One blessed be He, he vacated his land. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘You left four [cities],14Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne. by your life, I will repay you by giving you four [cities]’: “And he built Nineveh, and Rehovot Ir, and Kalaḥ…and Resen” (Genesis 10:11–12). [Resen is] Telasar.15See Isaiah 37:12. But he [Ashur] did not do so [indefinitely]; rather, because it [the nation of Ashur] came and participated with them [the Babylonians] in the destruction of the Temple,16As it is stated: “Also Ashur has joined them” (Psalms 83:9). the Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Yesterday you were a chick [efroaḥ] and now an egg?17Instead of progressing, as an egg progresses into a chick, you regressed. Originally you forsook the generation of the Dispersion, but now you have joined the evildoers. Yesterday you soared [mafriaḥ] with mitzvot and good deeds, but now you are shut in like an egg? That is astonishing.’ That is why [it is written]: “[Also Ashur has joined them]; they give a hand to the sons of Lot, Selah.” (Psalms 83:9) – for a curse [levat].18Lot is interpreted as levat, a curse. Since you joined the others in destroying the Temple, you are cursed. “And Resen between Nineveh and Kalah …[that is the great city]” – we do not know whether Resen is the great city, or Nineveh is the great one. From what is written: “Nineveh was an exceptionally great city, a journey of three days” (Jonah 3:3), we see that Nineveh was the great city.
“And Mitzrayim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehavim, and Naftuḥim” (Genesis 10:13). “And Mitzrayim begot Ludim…” – all of the coinages of Egypt are only with yam:19All the sons of Mitzrayim had names ending in yud mem, which spells yam [the sea]. Ludim – the Ludim of the sea [Ludei yam], Anamim – the Anamim of the sea [Anamei yam], as their names imply, Lehavim – the Lahav of the sea [Lahav yam], Naftuḥim – the Naftuḥim of the sea [Naftuḥei yam].20All these nations lived by the sea. “And Patrusim, and Kasluḥim, from which the Philistines and the Kaftorim emerged” (Genesis 10:14). “Patrusim” – Parvitot. “Kasluḥim” – Pekusim. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Patrusim and Kasluḥim produced bachelors, these would steal the wives of those, and those would steal the wives of these. What emerged from them? Philistines – mighty,21They would invade [poleshim] other lands. Kaftorim – dwarfs.22They were small and round like buttons [kaftorim].
“And Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Ḥet” (Genesis 10:15). “And the Yevusites, and the Emorites, and the Girgashites” (Genesis 10:16). “And the Hivites, and the Arkites, and the Sinites” (Genesis 10:17). “And the Arvadites, and the Tzemarites, and the Ḥamatites and then the families of the Canaanites dispersed” (Genesis 10:18). “And Canaan begot Sidon… And the Hivites” – Ḥaldin; “and the Arkites” – Arka of Lebanon; “the Sinites” – Orthosia; “the Arvadites” – Aradus; “the Tzemarites” – Homs. Why does it call them Tzemarites? Yehuda bar Rabbi said: It is because they work with wool [tzemer]. The Ḥamatites – Epiphania. “The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as you approach Gerar, until Gaza as you approach Sodom and Gomorrah and Adma and Tzevoyim, until Lasha” (Genesis 10:19). “The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon…[until Lasha] ” – until Callirhoe.
“And to Shem, father of all the children of Ever, brother of Yefet the eldest, children were also born” (Genesis 10:21). “And to Shem, father of all the children of Ever…[brother of Yefet the eldest]23This phrase could also be translated: the elder brother of Yefet.” – we do not know whether Shem is the eldest or Yefet is the eldest. From what is written: “These are the descendants of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and he begot Arpakhshad two years after the Flood” (Genesis 11:10),24Noah’s eldest son was born when he was five hundred year old (Genesis 5:32), and the Flood began when he was six hundred years old (Genesis 7:6), so Noah’s eldest son was one hundred years old when the Flood began. Shem, however, turned one hundred two years after the Flood. we see that Yefet was the eldest. “Two sons were born to Ever; the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided, and the name of his brother was Yoktan” (Genesis 10:25). “Two sons were born to Ever; the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided” – Rabbi Yosei says: The ancients, because they knew their ancestors [personally],25Since they lived very long lives, spanning many generations. would give names [to their children] on the basis of events [of their lives], but we, who do not know our ancestors,26Because they are already dead when our children are born. give names [to our children] after our ancestors. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: The ancients, because they utilized the divine spirit [of prophecy], would give names on the basis of events, but we, who do not utilize the divine spirit, give names after our ancestors. Rabbi Yosei ben Ḥalafta said: Ever was a great prophet, as he named [his son] on the basis of [future] events. That is what is written: “Two sons were born to Ever… [the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided [niflega]].”27Ever named his son after the dispersion of the Tower of Babel, an event that would happen later in his life. Why was he named Yoktan? It is because he minimized [maktin] himself28He acted humbly. and his affairs. What did he merit? He merited to produce thirteen families. If for the younger son who minimized his affairs it is so, for an older one who minimizes his affairs, all the more so.29If even the younger son is rewarded for acting humbly, all the more so if an older son does so. Similarly, “Israel extended his right hand, and laid it upon the head of Ephraim, who was the younger [hatza’ir]” (Genesis 48:14) – Rabbi Huna said: From the report of their births,30In Genesis 41:51–52. do we not know that he [Ephraim] was the younger? The explanation [for repeating the information here] is that he used to downplay [matz’ir] his affairs. What did he merit? He merited the birthright. If the younger one who downplayed his affairs merited the birthright, an older one who downplays his affairs, all the more so.
“And Yoktan begot Almodad, and Shelef, and Ḥatzarmavet, and Yeraḥ” (Genesis 10:26). “And Yoktan begot Almodad, and Shelef, and Ḥatzarmavet” – Rabbi Huna said: There is a place named Ḥatzarmavet,31Literally, courtyard of death. [and it is so called] because they eat leeks and wear papyrus garments,32So dire is their poverty. and anticipate death every day.33They look forward to death, since they are so deprived. Rabbi Shmuel said: They do not have even papyrus garments. “Their dwelling was from Mesha, as you approach Sefar, the mountain of Kedem” (Genesis 10:30). “Their dwelling was from Mesha” – Elazar ben Pinḥas said: Mesha is death.34This is a metaphor. All the children there were illegitimate, and illegitimate children do not live long. Media is ill.35Their children are mostly legitimate, but there are some illegitimate among them. Eilam and Govevei are dying.36The majority are illegitimate. Ḥevel Yama is the sky blue wool of Babylon.37Sky-blue wool is the most expensive material. Ḥevel Yama contains people of the finest lineage in Babylon. Tzor and Tzayar are the sky blue wool of Ḥevel Yama. Rabbi Yehuda says: Mesopotamia is like the Exile38Exile is a moniker for Pumbedita, a place with fine lineage. in terms of lineage. “As you approach Sefar” – Tafrei. “The mountain of Kedem” – the mountains of the east.39Kedem often means east.
בְּנֵי יֶפֶת גֹּמֶר וּמָגוֹג (בראשית י, ב), אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַמִּי זוֹ אַפְרִיקָה, וְגֵירְמַנְיָא וּמָדַי וּמַקְדּוֹנְיָא אִיסַנְיָא, וְתוֹנְיָה. תִּירָס רַבִּי סִימוֹן אָמַר זוֹ פָּרָס. רַבָּנָן אָמְרֵי תּוּרְקִי. וּבְנֵי גוֹמֶר אַשְׁכְּנַז וְרִיפַת וְתֹגַרְמָא, אַסְיָא, וְהַדְּיָף וְגֶרְמַנְיָא. רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה אָמַר גֵּירְמַנִיקְיָא. וּבְנֵי יָוָן אֱלִישָׁה וְתַרְשִׁישׁ, אֶלְסִיטְרוֹס אִיטַלְיָא דַּרְדָּנַיָּא. כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר: וְדֹדָנִים, וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (דברי הימים א א, ז): וְרוֹדָנִים, רַבִּי סִימוֹן וְרַבִּי חָנִין, רַבִּי סִימוֹן אָמַר דּוֹדָנִים שֶׁהֵם בְּנֵי דוֹדִין שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל, רוֹדָנִים שֶׁהֵן בָּאִים וְרוֹדִין אוֹתָם. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל נְתוּנִים בַּעֲלִיָּה, אִנּוּן אָמְרִין לְהוֹן בְּנֵי דּוֹדְכֶן אֲנַן, וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁהֵם נְתוּנִין בִּירִידָה הֵם בָּאִים וְרוֹדִין אוֹתָם.
“The sons of Yefet: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Yavan, and Tuval, and Meshekh, and Tiras” (Genesis 10:2).
“The sons of Yefet: Gomer, and Magog [and Madai]” – these are Africa, Germania, Madai. [“And Yavan, and Tuval and Meshekh”] – Macedonia, Isnia, and Tonia. “Tiras” – Rabbi Simon said: This is Persia. The Rabbis say: Thrace.
“And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Rifat, and Togarma” (Genesis 10:3).
“And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Rifat, and Togarma” – Asia, Adiabene, and Germania; Rabbi Berekhya said: Germanicia.
“And the sons of Yavan: Elisha, and Tarshish, Kitim, and Dodanim” (Genesis 10:4).
“And the sons of Yavan: Elisha, and Tarshish, [Kitim, and Dodanim]” – Hellas and Tarsus, Italia, and Dardania. One verse says: “And Dodanim” and another verse says: “and Rodanim” (I Chronicles 1:7).1Referring to the same nation. Rabbi Simon and Rabbi Ḥanin, Rabbi Simon said: Dodanim – because they were Israel’s cousins [benei dodin]. Rodanim – because they would come and oppress [rodin] them.2They sometimes regarded themselves as close as kin to Israel, and at other times they oppressed them. Rabbi Ḥanina said: When Israel is ascendant, they say to them: ‘We are your cousins,’ and when they are in decline, they come and oppress them.
וּבְנֵי חָם כּוּשׁ וּמִצְרַיִם וּפוּט וּכְנָעַן (בראשית י, ו), אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ הָיִינוּ סְבוּרִים שֶׁנִּתְבַּלְּעָה מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ שֶׁל פּוּט, בָּא יְחֶזְקֵאל וּפֵרַשׁ (יחזקאל ל, ה): כּוּשׁ וּפוּט וְלוּד וְכָל הָעֶרֶב וְכוּב וּבְנֵי אֶרֶץ הַבְּרִית אִתָּם בַּחֶרֶב יִפֹּלוּ. (בראשית י, ח): וְכוּשׁ יָלַד אֶת נִמְרֹד, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים ז, א): שִׁגָּיוֹן לְדָוִד אֲשֶׁר שָׁר לַה' עַל דִּבְרֵי כוּשׁ בֶּן יְמִינִי, רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בַּר נְחֶמְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חֲנִינָה בֶּן יִצְחָק כְּנֶגֶד בִּימָה שֶׁל, רָשָׁע אֲמָרוֹ, וְכִי כּוּשִׁי הֲוָה, אֶלָּא שֶׁעָשָׂה כְּמַעֲשֵׂה נִמְרוֹד, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: עַל כֵּן יֵאָמַר נִמְרֹד גִּבּוֹר צַיִּד לִפְנֵי ה', אֵין כְּתִיב כָּאן, אֶלָּא כְּנִמְרֹד גִּבּוֹר צַיִּד, מַה זֶּה צָד אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת בְּפִיהֶם, אַף זֶה צָד אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת בְּפִיהֶם, לָא גְנֵבְתְּ מַן גְּנַב עִמָּךְ, לָא קְטַלְתְּ מַן קְטַל עִמָּךְ.
“And the sons of Ḥam: Kush, and Mitzrayim, and Put, and Canaan” (Genesis 10:6).
“And the sons of Ḥam: Kush, and Mitzrayim, and Put, and Canaan” –Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: We might have been under the impression that the family of Put was assimilated [into other nations].3Since, unlike all his brothers, he is never mentioned again in the Torah. But Ezekiel came and stated explicitly [otherwise]: “Kush, Put and Lud and all the intermingled people, Cub and the children of the land of the covenant, will fall with them by the sword” (Ezekiel 30:5).4Put is mentioned as an extant nation in the times of Ezekiel.
“And Kush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth” (Genesis 10:8).
“He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said: Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:9).
“And Kush begot Nimrod” – that is what is written: “A meditation by David, a song that he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Kush Ben Yemini” (Psalms 7:1). Rabbi Yehoshua bar Neḥemya in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Yitzḥak: He said it corresponding to the [harsh] justice administered by that wicked one.5Esau/Edom, and his descendants, the Romans. But was Esau a Kushite?6Of course not; he was a descendant of Abraham. The meaning [of this description] is, rather, that he performed deeds like the deeds of [Kush’s son] Nimrod. That is what is written: “Therefore it is said:…Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord” is not written here, but rather, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter” (Genesis 10:9)7Implying that there is someone else who is “like Nimrod.” – just as that one hunted [ensnared] people through their words, so, too, this one hunts [ensnares] people with their words.8Of Esau it is said “he had [meat from] hunted animals in his mouth” (Genesis 25:28). [They say:] ‘You [claim you] did not steal? Who stole with you?9The judge would thus seek to incriminate the defendant despite his protestations of innocence. You [claim you] did not kill? Who killed with you?’
הוּא הָיָה גִּבֹּר צַיִּד לִפְנֵי ה' (בראשית י, ט), חֲמִשָּׁה הוּא לְטוֹבָה, וַחֲמִשָּׁה הוּא לְרָעָה. הוּא הָיָה גִּבֹּר צַיּד לִפְנֵי ה', (בראשית לו, מג): הוּא עֵשָׂו אֲבִי אֱדוֹם, (במדבר כו, ט): הוּא דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם, (דברי הימים ב כח, כב): הוּא הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז, (אסתר א, א): הוּא אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ. וַחֲמִשָּׁה הוּא לְטוֹבָה, (דברי הימים א כז): אַבְרָם הוּא אַבְרָהָם: (שמות ו, כז): הוּא משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן: (שמות ו, כו): הוּא אַהֲרֹן וּמשֶׁה: (דברי הימים ב לב, ל): הוּא חִזְקִיָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ: (עזרא ז, ו): הוּא עֶזְרָא עָלָה מִבָּבֶל. רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חָנִין אַף אִית לָן חַד הוּא טָבָא מִן כֻּלְּהוֹן, (תהלים קה, ז): הוּא ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ, שֶׁמִּדַּת רַחֲמָיו לְעוֹלָם.
“He [hu] was a mighty hunter before the Lord” – there five instances of hu10When hu (meaning “he is” or “he was”) is used to introduce a description of a person just named. that are in a good sense and five instances of hu that are in a bad sense. [These are the bad ones:] “He was a mighty hunter before the Lord”; “He is Esau, father of Edom” (Genesis 36:43); “He was Datan, and Aviram” (Numbers 26:9); “He was King Aḥaz” (II Chronicles 28:22); “He was Aḥashverosh” (Esther 1:1). And five are in a good sense: “Abram, he is Abraham” (I Chronicles 1:27); “He was Moses, and Aaron” (Exodus 6:27); “He is Aaron, and Moses” (Exodus 6:26); “He was King Hezekiah” (II Chronicles 32:30); “He was Ezra, ascended from Babylon” (Ezra 7:6). Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Ḥanin: We have one that is even better than them all: “He is the Lord our God” (Psalms 105:7), meaning that His attribute of mercy is eternal.
וַתְּהִי רֵאשִׁית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ בָּבֶל וְאֶרֶךְ וְאַכַּד וְכַלְנֵה (בראשית י, י), חֶרֶן וּנְצִיבִין וְקַטּוֹסְפִין. בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר, זוֹ בָּבֶל, לָמָה נִקְרָא שְׁמָהּ שִׁנְעָר אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקֵישׁ שֶׁשָּׁם נִנְעֲרוּ מֵתֵי דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל. דָּבָר אַחֵר, שִׁנְעָר, שֶׁהִיא מְנֹעֶרֶת מִן הַמִּצְווֹת, בְּלֹא תְּרוּמָה וּבְלֹא מַעַשְׂרוֹת וּבְלֹא שְׁבִיעִית. דָּבָר אַחֵר, שִׁנְעָר, שֶׁהֵם מֵתִים בְּתַשְׁנִיק, בְּלֹא נֵר וּבְלֹא מֶרְחָץ. דָּבָר אַחֵר, שִׁנְעָר שֶׁשָּׂרֶיהָ מֵתִים נְעָרִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר, שִׁנְעָר, שֶׁשָּׂרֶיהָ מַבִּיטִין בַּתּוֹרָה עַד שֶׁהֵם נְעָרִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר, שִׁנְעָר, שֶׁהֶעֱמִידָה שׂוֹנֵא וְעָר לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְאֵי זֶה זֶה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַר. (בראשית י, יא): מִן הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא יָצָא אַשּׁוּר, מִן הָעֵצָה הַהִיא יָצָא אַשּׁוּר, כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה אוֹתָן בָּאִים לַחְלֹק עַל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא פָּנָה מֵאַרְצוֹ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אַתְּ יָצָאתָה לְךָ מֵאַרְבַּע, חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁאֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ לְךָ וְנוֹתֵן לְךָ אַרְבַּע, וַיִּבֶן אֶת נִינְוֵה וְאֶת רְחֹבֹת עִיר וְאֶת כָּלַח וְאֶת רֶסֶן, תְּלַתְסַר, וְלֹא עָשָׂה, אֶלָּא כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא וְנִשְׁתַּתֵּף עִמָּהֶן. בְּחֻרְבַּן בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶתְמוֹל אֶפְרוֹחַ עַכְשָׁו בֵּיצָה, אֶתְמוֹל מַפְרִיחַ מִצְווֹת וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים, עַכְשָׁו מְכוֹנָן כַּבֵּיצָה, אֶתְמְהָא, לְפִיכָךְ (תהלים פג, ט): הָיוּ זְרוֹעַ לִבְנֵי לוֹט סֶלָה, לִלְוָט. (בראשית י, יב): וְאֶת רֶסֶן בֵּין נִינְוֵה וּבֵין כָּלַח וגו', אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים אִם רֶסֶן הִיא הַגְּדוֹלָה וְאִם נִינְוֵה הִיא הַגְּדוֹלָה, מִן מַה דִּכְתִיב (יונה ג, ג): וְנִינְוֵה הָיְתָה עִיר גְּדוֹלָה לֵאלֹהִים מַהֲלַךְ שְׁלשָׁה יָמִים, הֱוֵי נִינְוֵה הִיא הַגְּדוֹלָה.
“The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne, in the land of Shinar” (Genesis 10:10).
“The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne” – Ḥeren, Nesibin, and Katosfin.
“In the land of Shinar” – this is Babylon. Why was it called Shinar? Reish Lakish said: It is because all the dead of the Flood were deposited [ninaru] there. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because it is empty [meno’eret] of mitzvot, as there is no teruma, no tithes, and no Sabbatical year [there]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because they [its inhabitants] would die in discomfort [tashnik], without a lamp and without a bath.11Oil for lamps and wood for heating water were in short supply in Babylon. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because their princes12Torah scholars. die as youths [ne’arim]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because its princes look into the Torah while they are still youths [ne’arim]. Another interpretation, [it is called] Shinar because it produced an enemy [soneh] and a foe [ar] of the Holy One blessed be He. Who is that? It is Nebuchadnezzar.
“Ashur left that land, and he built Nineveh, and Rehovot Ir, and Kalah” (Genesis 10:11).
“And Resen between Nineveh and Kalah; that is the great city” (Genesis 10:12).
“Ashur left that land” – Ashur left that conspiracy [of Babel].13The conspiracy that led to the building of the Tower of Babel. When he saw all of them coming to contest the Holy One blessed be He, he vacated his land. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘You left four [cities],14Babel, and Erekh, and Akad, and Kalne. by your life, I will repay you by giving you four [cities]’: “And he built Nineveh, and Rehovot Ir, and Kalaḥ…and Resen” (Genesis 10:11–12). [Resen is] Telasar.15See Isaiah 37:12. But he [Ashur] did not do so [indefinitely]; rather, because it [the nation of Ashur] came and participated with them [the Babylonians] in the destruction of the Temple,16As it is stated: “Also Ashur has joined them” (Psalms 83:9). the Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Yesterday you were a chick [efroaḥ] and now an egg?17Instead of progressing, as an egg progresses into a chick, you regressed. Originally you forsook the generation of the Dispersion, but now you have joined the evildoers. Yesterday you soared [mafriaḥ] with mitzvot and good deeds, but now you are shut in like an egg? That is astonishing.’ That is why [it is written]: “[Also Ashur has joined them]; they give a hand to the sons of Lot, Selah.” (Psalms 83:9) – for a curse [levat].18Lot is interpreted as levat, a curse. Since you joined the others in destroying the Temple, you are cursed.
“And Resen between Nineveh and Kalah …[that is the great city]” – we do not know whether Resen is the great city, or Nineveh is the great one. From what is written: “Nineveh was an exceptionally great city, a journey of three days” (Jonah 3:3), we see that Nineveh was the great city.
וּמִצְרַיִם יָלַד אֶת לוּדִים וגו' (בראשית י, יג), אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קָרְחָה כָּל מוֹנִיטָא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם אֵינָהּ אֶלָּא בַּיָּם, לוּדִים, לוּדֵי יָם. עֲנָמִים, עֲנָמֵי יָם, כִּשְׁמָן. לְהָבִים, לַהַב יָם. נַפְתֻּחִים, נַפְתּוּחֵי יָם. פַּתְרֻסִים, פַּרְוִיטוֹת. כַּסְלֻחִים, פְּקוּסִים. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא פַּתְרֻסִים וְכַסְלֻחִים הָיוּ מַעֲמִידִין הוּטְלִיסוֹן, הָיוּ אֵלּוּ מְגַנְבִין נְשׁוֹתֵיהֶן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ מְגַנְבִין נְשׁוֹתֵיהֶן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ. מַה יָּצָא מֵהֶן, פְּלִשְׁתִּים, גִּבּוֹרִים, כַּפְתֹּרִים, נַנָּסִים.
“And Mitzrayim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehavim, and Naftuḥim” (Genesis 10:13).
“And Mitzrayim begot Ludim…” – all of the coinages of Egypt are only with yam:19All the sons of Mitzrayim had names ending in yud mem, which spells yam [the sea]. Ludim – the Ludim of the sea [Ludei yam], Anamim – the Anamim of the sea [Anamei yam], as their names imply, Lehavim – the Lahav of the sea [Lahav yam], Naftuḥim – the Naftuḥim of the sea [Naftuḥei yam].20All these nations lived by the sea.
“And Patrusim, and Kasluḥim, from which the Philistines and the Kaftorim emerged” (Genesis 10:14).
“Patrusim” – Parvitot. “Kasluḥim” – Pekusim. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Patrusim and Kasluḥim produced bachelors, these would steal the wives of those, and those would steal the wives of these. What emerged from them? Philistines – mighty,21They would invade [poleshim] other lands. Kaftorim – dwarfs.22They were small and round like buttons [kaftorim].
וּכְנַעַן יָלַד אֶת צִידֹן, וְאֶת הַחִוִּי (בראשית י, טו יז), חַלְדִּין. וְאֶת הָעַרְקִי, אַרְקָא דְּלִיבְנָן. אֶת הַסִּינִי, אַרְתּוֹסְיָה. אֶת הָאַרְוָדִי, אַרְוָד. אֶת הַצְּמָרִי, חֶמֶץ, וְלָמָּה הוּא קוֹרֵא אוֹתָהּ צְמָרִי, יְהוּדָה בַּר רַבִּי אָמַר שֶׁהֵן עוֹשִׂין בַּצֶּמֶר. אֶת הַחֲמָתִי, פִּיפַנִי. (בראשית י, יט): וַיְהִי גְּבוּל הַכְּנַעֲנִי מִצִּידֹן וגו' עַד קָלָדָה.
“And Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Ḥet” (Genesis 10:15).
“And the Yevusites, and the Emorites, and the Girgashites” (Genesis 10:16).
“And the Hivites, and the Arkites, and the Sinites” (Genesis 10:17).
“And the Arvadites, and the Tzemarites, and the Ḥamatites and then the families of the Canaanites dispersed” (Genesis 10:18).
“And Canaan begot Sidon… And the Hivites” – Ḥaldin; “and the Arkites” – Arka of Lebanon; “the Sinites” – Orthosia; “the Arvadites” – Aradus; “the Tzemarites” – Homs. Why does it call them Tzemarites? Yehuda bar Rabbi said: It is because they work with wool [tzemer]. The Ḥamatites – Epiphania.
“The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as you approach Gerar, until Gaza as you approach Sodom and Gomorrah and Adma and Tzevoyim, until Lasha” (Genesis 10:19).
“The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon…[until Lasha] ” – until Callirhoe.
וּלְשֵׁם יֻלַּד גַּם הוּא אֲבִי כָּל בְּנֵי עֵבֶר וגו' (בראשית י, כא), אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִין אִם שֵׁם הוּא הַגָּדוֹל אִם יֶפֶת הוּא הַגָּדוֹל, מִן מַה דִּכְתִיב (בראשית יא, י): אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת שֵׁם שֵׁם בֶּן מְאַת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת אַרְפַּכְשָׁד שְׁנָתַיִם אַחַר הַמַּבּוּל, הֱוֵי יֶפֶת הוּא הַגָּדוֹל. (בראשית י, כה): וּלְעֵבֶר יֻלַּד שְׁנֵי בָנִים שֵׁם הָאֶחָד פֶּלֶג כִּי בְיָמָיו נִפְלְגָה הָאָרֶץ, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי וְרַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר הָרִאשׁוֹנִים עַל יְדֵי שֶׁהָיוּ מַכִּירִים אֶת יִחוּסֵיהֶם הָיוּ מוֹצִיאִין שְׁמָן לְשֵׁם הַמְאֹרָע, אֲבָל אָנוּ שֶׁאֵין אָנוּ מַכִּירִים אֶת יִחוּסֵינוּ, אָנוּ מוֹצִיאִין לְשֵׁם אֲבוֹתֵינוּ. רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר הָרִאשׁוֹנִים עַל יְדֵי שֶׁהָיוּ מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ, הָיוּ מוֹצִיאִין לְשֵׁם הַמְאֹרָע, אֲבָל אָנוּ שֶׁאֵין אָנוּ מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ אָנוּ מוֹצִיאִין לְשֵׁם אֲבוֹתֵינוּ. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן חֲלַפְתָּא נָבִיא גָדוֹל הָיָה עֵבֶר שֶׁהוֹצִיא לְשֵׁם הַמְאֹרָע, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב וּלְעֵבֶר יֻלַּד שְׁנֵי בָנִים וגו', לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ יָקְטָן, שֶׁהָיָה מַקְטִין אֶת עַצְמוֹ וְאֶת עֲסָקָיו. וּמַה זָּכָה, זָכָה לְהַעֲמִיד שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִשְׁפָּחוֹת. וּמָה אִם הַקָּטָן שֶׁהוּא מַקְטִין עֲסָקָיו כָּךְ, גָּדוֹל שֶׁהוּא מַקְטִין אֶת עֲסָקָיו עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. וְדִכְוָתָהּ (בראשית מח, יד): וַיִּשְׁלַח יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת יְמִינוֹ וַיָּשֶׁת עַל רֹאשׁ אֶפְרַיִם וְהוּא הַצָּעִיר, אָמַר רַבִּי הוּנָא וְכִי מִן הַתּוֹלָדוֹת אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהוּא הַצָּעִיר, אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיָה מַצְעִיר אֶת עֲסָקָיו. וּמַה זָכָה, זָכָה לַבְּכוֹרָה. וּמָה אִם הַצָּעִיר עַל יְדֵי שֶׁהָיָה מַצְעִיר אֶת עֲסָקָיו זָכָה לַבְּכוֹרָה, גָּדוֹל שֶׁהוּא מַצְעִיר אֶת עֲסָקָיו עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.
“And to Shem, father of all the children of Ever, brother of Yefet the eldest, children were also born” (Genesis 10:21).
“And to Shem, father of all the children of Ever…[brother of Yefet the eldest]23This phrase could also be translated: the elder brother of Yefet.” – we do not know whether Shem is the eldest or Yefet is the eldest. From what is written: “These are the descendants of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and he begot Arpakhshad two years after the Flood” (Genesis 11:10),24Noah’s eldest son was born when he was five hundred year old (Genesis 5:32), and the Flood began when he was six hundred years old (Genesis 7:6), so Noah’s eldest son was one hundred years old when the Flood began. Shem, however, turned one hundred two years after the Flood. we see that Yefet was the eldest.
“Two sons were born to Ever; the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided, and the name of his brother was Yoktan” (Genesis 10:25).
“Two sons were born to Ever; the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided” – Rabbi Yosei says: The ancients, because they knew their ancestors [personally],25Since they lived very long lives, spanning many generations. would give names [to their children] on the basis of events [of their lives], but we, who do not know our ancestors,26Because they are already dead when our children are born. give names [to our children] after our ancestors. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: The ancients, because they utilized the divine spirit [of prophecy], would give names on the basis of events, but we, who do not utilize the divine spirit, give names after our ancestors. Rabbi Yosei ben Ḥalafta said: Ever was a great prophet, as he named [his son] on the basis of [future] events. That is what is written: “Two sons were born to Ever… [the name of the one was Peleg, as in his days the world was divided [niflega]].”27Ever named his son after the dispersion of the Tower of Babel, an event that would happen later in his life.
Why was he named Yoktan? It is because he minimized [maktin] himself28He acted humbly. and his affairs. What did he merit? He merited to produce thirteen families. If for the younger son who minimized his affairs it is so, for an older one who minimizes his affairs, all the more so.29If even the younger son is rewarded for acting humbly, all the more so if an older son does so. Similarly, “Israel extended his right hand, and laid it upon the head of Ephraim, who was the younger [hatza’ir]” (Genesis 48:14) – Rabbi Huna said: From the report of their births,30In Genesis 41:51–52. do we not know that he [Ephraim] was the younger? The explanation [for repeating the information here] is that he used to downplay [matz’ir] his affairs. What did he merit? He merited the birthright. If the younger one who downplayed his affairs merited the birthright, an older one who downplays his affairs, all the more so.
וְיָקְטָן יָלַד אֶת אַלְמוֹדָד וְאֶת שָׁלֶף וְאֶת חֲצַרְמָוֶת (בראשית י, כו), רַבִּי הוּנָא אָמַר מָקוֹם הוּא שֶׁשְׁמוֹ חֲצַרְמָוֶת, שֶׁהֵן אוֹכְלִין כְּרִישִׁים וְלוֹבְשִׁים כְּלֵי פַּפְּיָר וּמְצַפִּים לַמִּיתָה בְּכָל יוֹם. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר אֲפִלּוּ כְּלֵי פַּפְּיָר אֵין לָהֶם. (בראשית י, ל): וַיְהִי מוֹשָׁבָם מִמֵּשָׁא, אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן פִּנְחָס אָמַר מֵישָׁה, מִיתָה. מָדַי, חוֹלָה. עֵילָם, גּוֹבְבֵי, גּוֹסְסוֹת. חֶבֶל יַמָּא, תְּכֶלְתָּא דְּבָבֶל. צוֹר, צָיָר, תְּכֶלְתָּא דְּחֶבֶל יַמָּא. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר בֵּין הַנְּהָרוֹת כַּגּוֹלָה לַיִּחוּסִים. בֹּאֲכָה סְפָרָה, טַפְּרֵי. הַר הַקֶּדֶם, טוּרֵי מַדִּינְחָא.
“And Yoktan begot Almodad, and Shelef, and Ḥatzarmavet, and Yeraḥ” (Genesis 10:26).
“And Yoktan begot Almodad, and Shelef, and Ḥatzarmavet” – Rabbi Huna said: There is a place named Ḥatzarmavet,31Literally, courtyard of death. [and it is so called] because they eat leeks and wear papyrus garments,32So dire is their poverty. and anticipate death every day.33They look forward to death, since they are so deprived. Rabbi Shmuel said: They do not have even papyrus garments.
“Their dwelling was from Mesha, as you approach Sefar, the mountain of Kedem” (Genesis 10:30).
“Their dwelling was from Mesha” – Elazar ben Pinḥas said: Mesha is death.34This is a metaphor. All the children there were illegitimate, and illegitimate children do not live long. Media is ill.35Their children are mostly legitimate, but there are some illegitimate among them. Eilam and Govevei are dying.36The majority are illegitimate. Ḥevel Yama is the sky blue wool of Babylon.37Sky-blue wool is the most expensive material. Ḥevel Yama contains people of the finest lineage in Babylon. Tzor and Tzayar are the sky blue wool of Ḥevel Yama. Rabbi Yehuda says: Mesopotamia is like the Exile38Exile is a moniker for Pumbedita, a place with fine lineage. in terms of lineage. “As you approach Sefar” – Tafrei. “The mountain of Kedem” – the mountains of the east.39Kedem often means east.