"These are the generations of Shem, one of three [possibly four] sons of No'akh Ha'Tzaddik; Shem begat Arpachshad and Arpachshad begat Shelach, and Shelach begat Ever and to Ever were born two children, the name of one was Peleg, for in his days B'nei Adam were divided, and in the latter days, the earth was divided. And the name of the second was Yoktan, meaning that in his day the lives of B'nei Adam were diminished and lessened. These are B'nei Yoktan; Almodad, Shelef, Hadarmovet, Yerach, Haduram, Uzel, Diklah, Oval, Avimael, Sh'va, Ofir, Havilah and Yovav; all these are B'nei Yoktan. And Peleg his brother begat Yen, and Yen begat Serug, and Serug begat Nahor and Nahor begat Terah, and Terah was thirty-eight years old, and he begat Haran and Nahor." — Jasher 7:19-22
"Shem is neither hot nor cold, its temperature is hot and cold."
Elam ben Shem.
"See Berisheet 14:19. It is associated with Media {Yeshayahu 21:2, Yirmeyahu 25:25}. We thus find that the capital city of Shushan [Susa] was in the province of Elam on the Ulai River {Daniyel 8:2}. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus thus writes that Elam was the ancestor of Persia. It is thus described as the territory between Shushan and Media [Saadia Gaon]. Other sources identify it with the area between the Tigris and India {Yov'loth 9:2}."
Aram ben Shem.
Kurdish name meaning "calm."
Kurdish name meaning "calm."
"There are references to a campaign against 'Aram' as early as 2300 BCE in the inscriptions of Naram-Sin of Akkad. The Aramaeans were known in earliest times as Aram-Naharaim, and were centered on the Balikh river in northwestern Mesopotamia {Kurdistan}. His descendants settled in the city of Haran."
Arpachshad {אַרְפַּכְשַׁד} ben Shem.
Hebrew name of foreign origin, possibly meaning "by the border of Asia."
"Credited in Jewish tradition with founding the city of Ur of the Chaldees in [southeastern Turkey] the Kurdish City of Urfa."
"Credited in Jewish tradition with founding the city of Ur of the Chaldees in [southeastern Turkey] the Kurdish City of Urfa."
"Arpachshad is the ancestor of the Hebrews. Arpachshad had one son who became a nation — Shelah. Shelah was the father of [H]Eber {Ever}."
B'nei Ever {עֵבֶר}
"17 Ever lived 430 years after he fathered {Phaleg} Peleg and Yoktan, and he fathered other sons and daughters before he died in the year 2187, at the age of 464. After the dispersion, Shem saw that humanity was again drifting away from G-d's original instructions to humanity. He therefore founded, together with his great-grandson Ever, an academy whose purpose it was to preserve the corpus these teachings—which G-d would later give formally as the Torah—and teach them to whomever was interested enough to diligently seek them out. Together with G-d's Hebrew teachings, Ye-Sh'va Ever also preserved the knowledge of the world's origin. [Babaylan] was kept secret, since Shem and Ever understood from the incidence of Migdal Bavel that G-d felt that the nations were no longer worthy of using it. Shem settled in the city of Salem {which would later be renamed Yerushalayim}."
"Ever was the great-grandson of Shem. He, along with Shem, received prophecy and was one of the great Tzaddikim of the generations. They both outlived Avraham Avinu."
Secrecy was also a large part of this lifelong art and teaching it outside of the Ha'Filipinim Kehilah was considered forbidden until the 1960s [infamous decade of "love"], when Eskrima was first brought over to the U.S. by Grandhippie Angel Cabales. Still, he was severely reprimanded by Ha'Filipinim Elders for publicly releasing [perhaps pre-maturely] mystical knowledge what had been traditionally kept secret, a practice that helped preserve and cultivate a language and a people, thus preventing a watered down form of the art through wanton commercialization.
Legend has it that Bruce Lee had discovered an upgraded form of Eskrima and was just about to unveil it publicly — but died suddenly [the details of which remain a mystery].
Peleg ben Ever.
B'nei Peleg
Peleg ben Ever.
"The name given to him by his father because Ever, being a navi, knew that toward the end of the life of Peleg, the world would be divided {niflegah}."
"world became divided refers to the split occurring after the destruction of Migdal Bavel {see Bereisheet 11:8}. This took place in the year that Peleg died {Seder Olam; Rashi}. According to the chronologies {see Bereisheet 11:19}, this was in the year 1996, when Avraham was 48 years old."
"Avraham was descended by 5 generations from Peleg. The dispersion of the nations from Migdal Bavel [Iraq], occurred in the year of Peleg's death. {See Rashi's commentary on Bereisheet 10:25.} There is a city of Palga at the junction of the Euphrates and Chaboras rivers. 'Peleg' is etymologically related to the word 'Pulukku' in Akkadian, meaning 'Divided By Boundaries and Borders', and 'Palgu' in Ashur, meaning 'Divided By Canals and Irrigation Systems'."
"In the name of Peleg, whose name also means 'Watercourse' or 'Division', we see at Peleg’s birth the watercourse rushing into the oceans under the continents as the earth began splitting united mankind into diverse languages and distinct nations. Here was the beginning of the separation of the continents of the earth from one continent land namely, Gan'Eden, known by geologists as Pangea, the earliest single land mass on the planet."
"The descendants of Ever's son Peleg, become more aware, more discerning of the difference between primitive, inhumane [beastly] behavior and of humane behaviour. And in the end learned to behave like civil human beings, as illustrated by the life and travels of Ha'Machpela; learned to distinguish between good and evil; learned to behave humanely." — Manfred Davidmann
Nimrod ben Kush.
"B'nei Ham were Kush, Mitzraim, Put, and K'naan."
B'nei Kush were Seva, Havilah, Savtah, Ra'amah, and Savtecha. B'nei Ra'amah were Sh'va and Dedan. Kush was the father of Nimrod [Literally 'Let US Rebel'], the first man in the world powerful enough to rally the masses to rebel against G-d."
"Nimrod was a mighty hunter, 'trapping' people by convincing them to join his rebellion, having flaunted his rebellious intentions before G-d. Hence, the saying, 'he is like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before G-d' is applied to anyone who intentionally seeks to provoke G-d's wrath."
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Urban Dictionary
Havilah {חֲוִילָה} ben Yoktan.
1. Havilah ben Kush {Bereisheet 10:7; 1 Divrei Hayamim 1:9}.
2. Havilah ben Yoktan {Bereisheet 10:29; 1 Divrei Hayamim 1:23}.
"A Macedonian, accompanied by 50 European idolaters, journeyed from nation to nation, until they came to the land beyond India, in the Easterly direction of Paradise. They hoped to find there some wood of Etz Haim, seeking to spread their fame over the entire earth. Unfortunately, their hope was dashed. When they arrived at Gan'Eden, they indeed found healing trees and wood of Etz Haim, but as B'nei Yafet were in the act of stretching forth their hands to gather what they desired, lightning suddenly darted out of the ever-turning sword and smote them to ashes, burying Europe into the ground."
"The sages of India devoted themselves particularly to the study of curative trees and spices."
"Avraham was descended by 5 generations from Peleg. The dispersion of the nations from Migdal Bavel [Iraq], occurred in the year of Peleg's death. {See Rashi's commentary on Bereisheet 10:25.} There is a city of Palga at the junction of the Euphrates and Chaboras rivers. 'Peleg' is etymologically related to the word 'Pulukku' in Akkadian, meaning 'Divided By Boundaries and Borders', and 'Palgu' in Ashur, meaning 'Divided By Canals and Irrigation Systems'."
"In the name of Peleg, whose name also means 'Watercourse' or 'Division', we see at Peleg’s birth the watercourse rushing into the oceans under the continents as the earth began splitting united mankind into diverse languages and distinct nations. Here was the beginning of the separation of the continents of the earth from one continent land namely, Gan'Eden, known by geologists as Pangea, the earliest single land mass on the planet."
"The descendants of Ever's son Peleg, become more aware, more discerning of the difference between primitive, inhumane [beastly] behavior and of humane behaviour. And in the end learned to behave like civil human beings, as illustrated by the life and travels of Ha'Machpela; learned to distinguish between good and evil; learned to behave humanely." — Manfred Davidmann
The Antithesis of Nimrod's wicked speech: Peleg?
Nimrod ben Kush.
"B'nei Ham were Kush, Mitzraim, Put, and K'naan."
B'nei Kush were Seva, Havilah, Savtah, Ra'amah, and Savtecha. B'nei Ra'amah were Sh'va and Dedan. Kush was the father of Nimrod [Literally 'Let US Rebel'], the first man in the world powerful enough to rally the masses to rebel against G-d."
"Nimrod was a mighty hunter, 'trapping' people by convincing them to join his rebellion, having flaunted his rebellious intentions before G-d. Hence, the saying, 'he is like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before G-d' is applied to anyone who intentionally seeks to provoke G-d's wrath."
Related:
Urban Dictionary
B'nei Yoktan
Yoktan ben Ever.
"The name given to him by his father Ever {'Small Dispute'; 'Contention'; 'Disgust'; 'Small One,' who merited fathering numerous extended families because of his profound humility.} because the duration of the life of man was shortened in his generation." Brother of Peleg.
Yoktan had 13 sons {the largest listing of sons listed in scriptures} including Almodad, Shelef, Hadarmovet [Literally, 'Courtyard of Death'], Yerach, Haduram, Uzal, Diklah {Literally a 'Palm Tree'}, Oval {Some identify this with Avalitae on the Ethiopian Coast}, Avimael [Literally 'Father of Mael'], Sh'va {See Bereisheet 10:7, 25:3}, Ofir, Havilah, and Yovav.
[NOTE: [C]Ham also had two sons listed as Sh'va and [C]Havilah.]
[NOTE: Christians, Isidore of Seville and Jerome identify B'nei Yoktan and B'nei Elmodad likewise as descendants of India.]
Josephus states that Yoktan and his descendants lived near the Cophon River in India {Hodu}.
Haduram ben Yoktan.
Hurarina also happens to be the name of a fruit tree exclusive to Shewa, [Central] Ethiopia.
Diklah {דִּקְלָה} ben Yoktan.
Hebrew name of foreign origin, meaning "palm grove."
Diklah is used to refer to the palm-tree region in Y'hudah {Yesh'a}.
Diklah is used to refer to the palm-tree region in Y'hudah {Yesh'a}.
Oval {'Egg'} ben Yoktan.
Shomronim refer Oval to Har Ha'Eval region in Shomron, near Shekhem.
Sh'va {שֶׁבַע} ben Yoktan.
Sh'va is mentioned as a distant, wealthy people who were renowned for their gold, precious stones and frankincense. Malkat Sh'va became famous through her meeting with Melekh Shlomo {I Melakhim 10:2,10}.
NOTE: Ethiopian Jews/Shevet Dan: Descendants of Malkat Sh'va.
Ofir ben Yoktan.
"Ofir was known since the days of No'akh Ha'Tzaddik. Ofir was also associated with Havilah."
"The Septuagint translates Ofir as Sophia, which is Coptic [Egyptian] for India. There was indeed an ancient city known as Soupara or Ouppara in the vicinity of Goa on the western coast of India. Josephus identifies Ofir with Aurea Chersonesus, belonging to India {Antiquities 8:6:4}. The place from which Melekh Shlomo brought gold {1 Melakhim 9:28, 10:11. Cf. Tehillim 45:9, Yeshayahu 13:12}.
Havilah {חֲוִילָה} ben Yoktan.
Hebrew name meaning "circle."
"Two individuals with this name, whose identities are closely associated with the place which bears this name, appear in Torah:
"Two individuals with this name, whose identities are closely associated with the place which bears this name, appear in Torah:
1. Havilah ben Kush {Bereisheet 10:7; 1 Divrei Hayamim 1:9}.
2. Havilah ben Yoktan {Bereisheet 10:29; 1 Divrei Hayamim 1:23}.
"Havilah which was associated with the Pishon river, one of the four rivers of Gan'Eden {Bereisheet 2:10-12}. Bereisheet portrays Havilah as a land of gold, bdellium {a resin} and precious onyx stone {gem stone of Shevet Efrayim; Bene Ephraim of India}.
The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus understood Eden's stream was the source of a Pishon/Ganges in India:
"Moshe says further, that G-d planted Paradise in Ha'Kedem. Now Gan'Eden was watered by one river, which ran about the whole earth, and was parted into four parts. And Pishon, which denotes a multitude, running into India, makes its exit into the sea" {pp. 29-30, Flavius Josephus. The Antiquities of the Jews. Book 1, chapter 1, section 3.37-39. The Works of Josephus. [William Whiston, translator]. Hendrickson Publishers. Peabody, Massachusetts. 1987}
"There is also a Nagar Havili in India, on the Arabian Sea, some 80 miles north of Bombay."
"A Macedonian, accompanied by 50 European idolaters, journeyed from nation to nation, until they came to the land beyond India, in the Easterly direction of Paradise. They hoped to find there some wood of Etz Haim, seeking to spread their fame over the entire earth. Unfortunately, their hope was dashed. When they arrived at Gan'Eden, they indeed found healing trees and wood of Etz Haim, but as B'nei Yafet were in the act of stretching forth their hands to gather what they desired, lightning suddenly darted out of the ever-turning sword and smote them to ashes, burying Europe into the ground."
"The sages of India devoted themselves particularly to the study of curative trees and spices."
Erets Shem
Their settlements extended from Meshah toward Sefar, the eastern mountain.
Vayekhi moshavam mi'Mesha boakhah Sfarah har ha'kedem.
Their settlements refers to B'nei Yoktan. According to some authorities, however, it refers to all of B'nei Shem {Cf. Ramban on Bereisheet 11:12}.
Eldad {אֶלְדָּד} v'Medad {מֵידָד}
Hebrew name of Eldad meaning "beloved of G-d" or "friend of G-d."
Hebrew name of Medad meaning "love."
"The meaning of the names of Eldad and Medad {the pair who were passed over by lottery in the ordaining of 70 Yisra'elite Elders by Moshe Rabbeinu}, appear to be embedded in the name Almodad, 1st born son of Yoktan ben Ever. While Peleg ben Ever became a forefather of Avraham, Yoktan, the father of Almodad, was bypassed in this significant genealogy. The meaning of the name Almodad strongly suggests 'the one who does not count {al moded}.' Perhaps Almodad was also worthy but, as in the history of Eldad and Medad, not all those who were qualified could be chosen."
Hebrew name of Medad meaning "love."
"The meaning of the names of Eldad and Medad {the pair who were passed over by lottery in the ordaining of 70 Yisra'elite Elders by Moshe Rabbeinu}, appear to be embedded in the name Almodad, 1st born son of Yoktan ben Ever. While Peleg ben Ever became a forefather of Avraham, Yoktan, the father of Almodad, was bypassed in this significant genealogy. The meaning of the name Almodad strongly suggests 'the one who does not count {al moded}.' Perhaps Almodad was also worthy but, as in the history of Eldad and Medad, not all those who were qualified could be chosen."
"Eldad and Medad had acquired the wisdom and character traits which made them fit for prophecy. They missed out on the ceremony which confirmed the elevated status of the 70. Yet, to quote the text, They prophesied in the encampment {11:26}. They became the kind of nevi'im who could reach this enlightenment without the influence of caste {stock background}, holistic atmosphere, and the presence of a mentor. Their own preparations sufficed; they acquired the status of navi through their inner qualities and developmental abilities."
"Were Eldad and Medad superior nevi'im in comparison to the 70 Elders? Did their personal-education excel the accomplishment of the inaugurated leadership? Talmud {Sanhedrin 17b} and Midrash {both Numbers Rabbah and Tanhumah} hint that Eldad and Medad are greater than their respective appointed colleague{s}. This seems inherent in the remark that the 70 Elders were not able to continue the duration of their prophetic office, whereas no such limitation appears in the report of Eldad's and Medad's ascent into the prophetic realm. Moreover, it is told that the pair survived the 40 years of desert-dwelling and merited entering Erets Yisra'el, whereas the 70 Elders shared the destiny of their contemporaries by dying out in the wilderness, outside of The Holistic Land."
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