Genesis 10:26

Common misinterpretations include treating this genealogy as an exhaustive historical record for tracing modern ethnic or national origins with pseudoscientific precision, often fueling ethnocentric or racist ideologies by arbitrarily linking these ancient names to contemporary groups without archaeological or linguistic support; alternatively, skeptics dismiss it as fabricated mythology, ignoring its theological purpose in affirming the unity of humanity under God's sovereign plan while cataloging peoples familiar to ancient Israel.

This passage lists four sons—Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, and Jerah—of Joktan, a descendant of Shem through Eber, as part of the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, illustrating God's fulfillment of His post-flood command to Noah's family to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth by detailing how humanity diversified into numerous clans and peoples, particularly those associated with southern Arabia and the Semitic lineages.