Shem
−2498 – −1898
Hebrew years: 1558–2158 (א׳תקנ״ח–ב׳קנ״ח)
Open on the interactive timeline
Shem, son of Noah, was born about a century before the Flood and came through it on the ark with his wife, his parents and his brothers. Genesis gives his age: he lived 600 years. When Noah lay uncovered in his tent, Shem and Japheth covered him without looking, and Noah blessed the God of Shem.
Genesis 10 and 11 trace from him Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud and Aram, and through Arpachshad and Eber the line that reaches Abraham, which is why these peoples are called Semitic. The Sages identify him with Melchizedek, king of Salem, and speak of a house of study of Shem and Eber, where by tradition Jacob studied.
- Hebrew years
- 1558–2158 (א׳תקנ״ח–ב׳קנ״ח)
- Place
- Mount Ararat
- Category
- Patriarchs & Biblical Figures
- Part of
- Primeval History
Read the text
- Genesis 9 · Hebrew and English on Sefaria
- Genesis 10 · Hebrew and English on Sefaria
- Genesis 11 · Hebrew and English on Sefaria
- Nedarim 32b · Hebrew and English on Sefaria
At the same time
Japheth−2500 – −1900
Ham−2499 – −1900
Noah−3000 – −2050
Abraham−2018 – −1843
Sarah−2008 – −1881
Isaac−1918 – −1738
