Shem

Shem was one of the three sons of Noah, along with Ham and Japheth (Gen.5.32; 6.10). He and his wife were among the eight people who survived the great flood in the ark (Genesis 7:13). After the flood, Shem and his brothers became the ancestors of the nations that repopulated the earth (Gen.9.18,19; 10.1). Shem was the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Elamites, Assyrians, Arameans, and Hebrews (Genesis 10:21-31). He was also the ancestor of Abraham and, therefore, of the Israelites (Genesis 11:10-26;1 Chronicles 1:17-27). In the New Testament, Shem is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus inLuke 3:36. Shem and Japheth showed respect for their father by covering his nakedness when he became drunk (Genesis 9:23). As a result, Noah blessed Shem, saying, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem" (Genesis 9:26). This blessing implied that Shem's descendants would have a special relationship with God. Shem lived for 600 years (Genesis 11:10-11).