And sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth; Shem was the forefather of all the sons of Eber.
21. Unto Shem also , the father of all the children of Eber . Moses, being about to speak of the sons of Shem, makes a brief introduction, which he had not done in reference to the others. Nor was it without reason; for since this was the race chosen by God, he wished to sever it from other nations by some special mark.
Two things especially are observable in this account of the posterity of Shem: - I. The description of Shem, Gen 10:21. We have not only his name, Shem, which signifies a name, but two titles to distinguish him by: - 1. He was the father of all the children of Eber.
Commenting on Genesis 10:21-32
Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber,.... And for the sake of those Shem is particularly said to be the father of, is this genealogy given, and indeed the whole book of Genesis wrote: Eber was the great-grandson of Shem, and is here spoken of by anticipation, and Shem is called not the father of either of his immediate sons, but...