Chapter 10 of Bereishit—known as the “Table of Nations”—marks a turning point in human history. Before the flood, the Torah highlighted individuals and their personal achievements, but now, humanity emerges as families, tribes, and nations.

From Noah’s three sons arise three distinct models of civilization:

• Japheth and his descendants spread across islands and coastlines, embodying exploration and expansion.

• Ham produces empire builders, most famously Nimrod, whose cities represent concentrated power and imperial ambition.

• Shem preserves a pastoral, family-centered way of life, with Eber symbolizing the beginnings of a cultural identity that will shape Israel’s story.

This chapter introduces the foundations of civilization as we know it—language, geography, and ethnic identity. Humanity transitions from a world defined by individuals to one defined by peoples and nations, laying the groundwork for the diversity of cultures that populate the earth.