Shem: A name; renown, the first mentioned of the sons of Noah
(Genesis 5:32; 6:10)
He was probably the eldest of Noah's sons. The words "brother of
Japheth the elder" in
(Genesis 10:21) are more correctly rendered "the
elder brother of Japheth," as in the Revised Version. Shem's name is
generally mentioned first in the list of Noah's sons. He and his wife
were saved in the ark
(Genesis 7:13) Noah foretold his preeminence over
Canaan
(Genesis 9:23-27) He died at the age of six hundred years, having
been for many years contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual
chronology. The Israelitish nation sprang from him
(Genesis 11:10-26; 1 Chronicles 1:24-27)
