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The family of nations is represented here for three possible reasons: to satisfy human interest, to illustrate the interrelatedness of human clans and their place in the economy of one Creator, and to demonstrate the fulfillment of the mandate given to Noah: “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (9:1, 7). The families of Japheth and Ham are dealt with first with the effect of clearing the field for the family of Shem, which will occupy most of our attention in subsequent chapters. The family of Japheth is handled summarily (vv.2-5). They are described as coastal peoples. Ham receives the major attention (vv.6-20) with particular interest given to Nimrod (vv.8-12) and Canaan (vv.15-19). Nimrod’s story of earthly success is tarnished somewhat with the references to Babel and Assyria while the cursed Canaan will eventually suffer dispossession of its land by Israel.
The family of Shem will now become the main concern of the OT and, presumably, the specific line of Eber (vv.21, 25ff.), source of the word “Hebrew.” More detailed attention is given to the descendants of Shem in 11:10-30.