One of the three sons of Noah. Shem occupies a special place among the sons of Noah because he was the eldest (Gen 5:32; Gen 9:18), the recipient of special blessing (Gen 9:26), and the ancestor of a group of peoples that included the Hebrews (Eber, Gen 10:21, Gen 10:24). Thus the term “Semite” (“Shemite”) has its derivation in reference to his descendants.
32After Noah was five hundred years old, Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Noah and His Sons
18The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan.
26He also said,
“Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem;
and let Canaan be his slave.
21To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born.
24Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber.