1. The Japhethites (1-5)

Japheth (means open) was probably the eldest son of Noah. After the incident of Babel Tower, Noah's descendants spread out over the earth, each with its own language. The Japhethites were maritime peoples. They are said to be the Europeans and Asian minors.

2. Hamites (6-20)

Ham (means warm) was the youngest. His descendants became today's North Africans and South Arabians. Among the Hamites, Nimrod grew to be a mighty hunter before the Lord. Babylon and Nineveh were built by him. But the other descendants of Philistines and Canaanites occupied the land where God gave Abraham. Sodom and Gomorrah were their cities which God judged with fire.

3. Shemites (21-32)

Shem (means prosperity) was the second born of Noah. Among Shem's descendants, Arphaxad is the ancestor of Abraham and Arabs. Some historians claim that Melchizedek who met Abraham in C14 might be a Shemite. From Shem's descendants Jesus came.