Divisions of The Earth

                   Word & Scripture Study

We know Adam means "ruddy or to show blood in the face" and understand "the life of the flesh is in the blood".  In Greek, it means "first man"; type of Jesus man, as his representative. We are all to be representatives of Jesus.  Eve in Hebrew means "life giver" from the word "chavvah" meaning to live, show or declare and first woman.  These were the beginning of the human race and our first earthly parents.

 

We know in the beginning the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.  This is shown forth in Genesis 11:1.  There was one perfect language.  There are Scriptures which seem to say Hebrew was the original pure language of the whole earth.  It is interesting to note that the Hebrew language was the language God used by inspiration to give his revelation to man.  Also, it was the language Christ used when speaking to Paul, although the Apostle knew the Greek language well.  (Acts 21:40; 22:2; 26:14)  Our earth was one solid piece of land and the waters were one body of water as shown in Scripture.  

 

The Earth was later divided as we read in geography books and see on maps in the days of 'Peleg'.  That is; it was split into continents and islands in his day.  (Gen. 10:25).  This is also the first mention of Peleg and his name has importance. Hebrew names had special significance and reasons.  They were in a prophetic sense a description of a person or time of significance, etc., as shown in his name. 

 

The people began building a tower to heaven as there was nothing they could not do as "one" people and one language.  God spoke and said, "let us go down and confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.  It was at this time the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth, and they quit all efforts to build the city.   Note** The Lord scattered the people before he split the earth into continents and islands as shown in Gen. 10: 25.  This would explain how the Indian races got to America and how various of the other tribes came to be on the remote parts of our earth and other islands.

 

The name of the City was called "Babel" which means "confusion" because the Lord "confounded" the language of all the earth there; and scattered them abroad.  Tongues or languages were confounded in judgment at this time. Babel is also called Babylon from the place where the tower was being built  (Tower of Babel).  The builders were said to be mighty warriors and giants who waged war with the 'gods' which we know they did not understand truth.  Evidently the builders had finished the tower, because the work was 'stopped on the city'. 

 

When we study the genealogy of the sons of Noah, we see Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  Each name has a meaning and also refers to location where they settled according to some commentaries. 

 

The name Japheth in Hebrew means "enlargement or extension".  This was true of Japheth.  His descendants and posterity spread over all of the earth.  We see 7 sons and grandsons listed.  The descendants of Japheth are the Gentiles..."By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations."

 

Gen. 10: 5.  It is concluded that Japheth settled in the north, west and east of Europe, and in Asia.  It was prophesied Japheth would be the Father of the great and enlarged races, Government, science and art would come from this line, and his descendants would be a leading nation of civilization. We know all Nations, types, and colors of men came into being after the flood according to Scripture.

 

The name Ham in Hebrew means 'hot or warm', from the tropical habitat.  The descendants of Ham include Nimrod, a mighty one and hunter whose kingdom began with Babel. His descendants were in the 'warm" and hot climate' regions.  The history of Nimrod, son of Ham, is important in understanding the origination of all false cults and religions.  Nimrod established the first great Kingdom and the first false religion or cult that opposed God universally. Nimrod and his queen Semiramis started a new religion that claimed the 'highest wisdom with the ability to reveal the most divine secrets'.   We see this element of 'religion' in many of the worldly organizations today who claim to have the "divine secrets" or "keys to the kingdom".   The purpose of this religion was to rule all men on Earth and the world by keeping them in blind and willful obedience to the supreme pontiff called the head of this religion.   Those who joined with the religion were members of a mystical brotherhood over whom a high priest or pontiff was placed.  His word was final in all the affairs of the lives of the members of this brotherhood.  This religion was an attempt by Satan to counterfeit the true worship of God.   We also see Secret Societies and Organizations after this same order in this day and age.  God raised up Israel to defeat the plan of Satan to use Nimrod as a universal ruler of mankind.  There have been many other attempts in history as we see it, and will be a final attempt to rule the world by man; which will also fail.

 

When God came down to "Babel", he took action to counteract Nimrod and the works of his hand and mind.  Nimrod was openly defiant before the Lord God.   The beginning of Babel was the beginning of the empires among men.  These taught men to rebel against divine laws and authority given by God as they were by human achievements of lawless tyrants.  The first 2 empires were Babylon and Assyria (Gen. 10: 10-12).  It is generally thought Ham and his descendant settled in Africa. 

 

Shem was the 2nd son of Noah, although mentioned last.  The name "Shem" is pronounced "shame" from "shem" in Hebrew which is taken from a word meaning 'to put' or "definite and conspicuous position.  It means a mark or memorial of individuality by honor, renown, authority, or character.  It is said to actually mean "name" and also includes the posterity of Shem in the meaning. It also means His seed was to be the important subject of the remainder of the Book of Genesis as well as the rest of the Old Testament books.  The line of the Messiah would come through Shem and the Jewish race.  We see and read that Shem and descendants settled in countries surrounding Palestine.  It was prophesied Shem would be a chosen race and have a peculiar relationship with God as his people.  Christ, after the flesh, descended from Shem.  (Luke 3: 23-38) (Gen. 11:10)

 

Men were not divided as to 'tongues and nations' until the events of Gen. 11: 1-9 had taken place; therefore, Genesis 10 gives the earliest division of men after the 'confusion of tongues' and before the earth was divided into continents and islands in the days of "Peleg".  In the beginning all people were one and the land or Earth was one.  Because of humanism and defiance against God, man failed in obedience to his commands and had to be judged and separated.  The earth also had to be separated or was divided at this time.

 

The word "Peleg" and name means 'division or divide' which is the literal translation.  As stated, it was in his (Peleg's) days the earth was split and divided into the isles and continents at the time of divine judgment.  It is interesting to note that Peleg was a descendant or son of Eber, which means "across or the opposite side".  This referred to the other side of the Euphrates and from this word (Hebrews) is derived.  Gen. 14:13.   This is an important Bible fact to notice. The word Hebrew was first used in this Scripture and also referred to the descendants of Abraham.  This was the first use of the word "Hebrew" instead of the word "Eber", as I understand these meanings. 

 

Another interesting fact:  

If the earth was separated in these days according to other Scriptures also, then this means and we conclude it was 'one Earth or body of land' before this day and time.   It is said this is why various peoples are being found on the many islands and continents separated so widely by water.   It is interesting to note that in the New Earth, the land will again become one body, and will no longer have the large oceans or bodies of water as we have now.  (Rev. 21: 1).  The new heaven and earth was seen here by John and "there was no more sea".  Once again, we see there will be no large bodies of water dividing the territories of the new Earth as in the beginning. This will be the eternal state of the new earth in the third and perfect age to come.

 

In the New Heavens and Earth we will also be as the "one new man" or Body of Christ on Earth and in Heaven.  The Earth will be restored to the original plan of God and He will rule and reign in a Theocracy Government as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We shall rule and reign with Him forever in eternity. We will truly be "one World under God glorified and free indeed" because of the finished work of our precious Lord and Savior.  There will no longer be ungodly rule or government in this land endorsing and making laws contrary to God's Word.  There will be no prejudice or pride over heritage or ancestry as all glory will be given to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to whom we belong.   God's eternal covenants will be carried forth as prophesied and all will be peace forevermore.

 

In this world of prejudice, strife, and unfair treatment to others we can look to a better day ahead.  Every promise made by God will be fulfilled.  O what glory awaits us when we get to that City!    We must be "one with the Lord" as He and the Father are one, and seek unity with each other.

 

We should always remember that "love is to the Body of Christ what blood is to the human body".   We cannot survive as a Body without divine love first for God and then for each other.  Let us lay aside our differences and seek to be as One new man in Christ.  We know not the hour of his appearing but we do know He shall fulfill the promise of his coming.  He is coming after his beloved, his Church, "his Bride".  The Bride is to be joined and become one with the Bridegroom, as the two become "one flesh" and will be literally united forever.  The Son will present his Bride to the Father at the Father's House and there will be the "marriage supper of the Lamb".  We have wonderful promises awaiting us in the days and years ahead and also in all Eternity.  We cannot imagine the glory that awaits us to be revealed but can capture a glimpse in Scripture of a perfect day which will come and no more sorrow or pain.

 

Let us work to become the "one new man" as we see the Day of the Lord approaching.

When all differences are put aside and we work together as one, we can see God's plan for man on Earth accomplished.

 

J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2001
Jo Ann Kelly

                               

***Jewish Greek name of Jesus Christ. 

The Bible tells us "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, (Iesous) or (Jehoshua) from the Hebrew word, (Yehowshua), meaning Jehovah-saved or Joshua.  Jesus is called **Christ.  Christ means "Christos" in Greek meaning and is from the word "anointed or consecrated to an office or service", also called the Messiah.  He was also called "I AM" or the self-existent one in Scripture as well as many names describing his character and attributes of holiness and perfection, and who he is to mankind