Genesis 10:22

Posted on January 10, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Gn 10:22 Filii Sem: Ælam et Assur, et Arphaxad, et Lud, et Aram.

The sons of Sem: Elam, and Assur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Filii sons NOM.PL.M
2 Sem Sem GEN.SG.M
3 Ælam Elam ACC.SG.M
4 et and CONJ
5 Assur Assur ACC.SG.M
6 et and CONJ
7 Arphaxad Arphaxad ACC.SG.M
8 et and CONJ
9 Lud Lud ACC.SG.M
10 et and CONJ
11 Aram Aram ACC.SG.M

Syntax

Main Clause: Filii Sem: — “The sons of Sem:” introduces the genealogical enumeration. Filii is the subject, with Sem in the genitive showing possession (“the sons of Sem”).
List Construction: Ælam et Assur, et Arphaxad, et Lud, et Aram — a coordinated list of direct objects governed by the implied verb sunt (“are”). Each name denotes a national ancestor traditionally connected to regions of the Ancient Near East.
The verse maintains the repetitive rhythm of the genealogical formula, marking the beginning of the Semitic line.

Morphology

  1. Filii — Lemma: filius; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Nominative plural masculine; Function: Subject of the implied verb sunt; Translation: “sons”; Notes: Introduces the genealogy of Sem’s line, parallel to earlier listings of Japheth and Cham.
  2. Sem — Lemma: Sem; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Genitive singular masculine; Function: Possessive genitive modifying Filii; Translation: “of Sem”; Notes: Indicates descent; Sem is Noah’s son, regarded as progenitor of the Semitic peoples.
  3. Ælam — Lemma: Ælam; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Appositive naming a son of Sem; Translation: “Elam”; Notes: Represents the Elamite people of southwestern Persia (modern Khuzestan).
  4. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Connective joining coordinate nouns; Translation: “and”; Notes: Repetitive parataxis enhances rhythmic clarity in genealogical formulas.
  5. Assur — Lemma: Assur; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Appositive; Translation: “Assur”; Notes: Founder of the Assyrians; name attached to the Assyrian capital and nation.
  6. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Joins next coordinate item; Translation: “and”; Notes: Maintains list flow.
  7. Arphaxad — Lemma: Arphaxad; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Coordinated name; Translation: “Arphaxad”; Notes: Ancestor of Shelah and Heber; important in Semitic genealogical tradition.
  8. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Connects the following element; Translation: “and”; Notes: Sequential coordination continues stylistic parallelism.
  9. Lud — Lemma: Lud; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Enumerated name in list; Translation: “Lud”; Notes: Possibly refers to the Lydians of western Anatolia.
  10. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Connects final name in enumeration; Translation: “and”; Notes: Typical concluding connector in genealogical lists.
  11. Aram — Lemma: Aram; Part of Speech: Proper noun; Form: Accusative singular masculine; Function: Final coordinate noun; Translation: “Aram”; Notes: Progenitor of the Arameans (Syrians); the name is linguistically linked to the term “Aramaic.”

 

About Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Born around 346 A.D. in Stridon, St. Jerome was a scholar fluent in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew whose ascetic discipline and deep engagement with Scripture prepared him for a monumental task: translating the Bible into Latin. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I around 382 A.D., Jerome began by revising the flawed Old Latin Gospels, then expanded his work to the entire Bible. For the New Testament, he corrected Latin texts using Greek manuscripts; for the Old Testament, he translated most books directly from Hebrew—a controversial but principled choice. His final Psalter, however, followed the Greek Septuagint tradition for liturgical use. This composite translation, later known as the Vulgate (editio vulgata), became the authoritative biblical text of the Western Church, formally endorsed at the Council of Trent in 1546. The Vulgate’s influence extends beyond theology into textual criticism and Latin education. As one of the earliest translations grounded in original-language scholarship, it offers a vital witness to the state of biblical texts in late antiquity. Jerome’s lexical and syntactic decisions are studied to trace manuscript history and assess variant readings. Its elegant Latin, consistent in grammar and rich in vocabulary, became a model for medieval and Renaissance learning, bridging classical and ecclesiastical Latin. More than a translation, the Vulgate helped define Christian doctrine, preserved the Latin language, and laid essential groundwork for the critical study of Scripture—remaining indispensable to students of Latin, theology, and textual history.
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