Genesis 10 · Grade 5
God's Plan for the Nations
Read and Think
Genesis 10 is a genealogy of nations. It traces how the families of Japheth, Ham and Shem spread across the world after the flood, by their families, languages, lands, and nations. Japheth's descendants spread along the coastlands. Ham's included Egypt, Cush and Canaan. Shem's included Eber, an ancestor of Abraham.
The chapter highlights Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh, whose kingdom began in Babel and who built Nineveh. His story foreshadows Genesis 11, where people at Babel try to make a name for themselves. Great cities and human strength can be used for good or for pride.
Genesis 10 actually comes before the explanation in Genesis 11 of how the languages were divided. The Bible sometimes gives the summary first and then the details. The big lesson is that every nation is part of God's world and God's story. The rest of Genesis narrows to one family, Abraham's, but the purpose is for blessing to reach all the nations listed here.
Show What You Know
What four groupings does the chapter repeat?
Name one nation descended from each son.
How does Nimrod's story point ahead to Genesis 11?
Why does Genesis 10 come before the Tower of Babel story?
Why does God focus on Abraham's family later?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Genesis 10 is a genealogy of .
- It traces how the families of Japheth, Ham and spread across the world after the flood, by their families, languages, lands, and nations.
- His story foreshadows Genesis 11, where at Babel try to make a name for themselves.
- Great cities and human strength can be used for or for pride.
Think About It
Pride can grow when people become powerful. How can you use your gifts for God's glory instead of your own?
How does knowing God cares about every nation encourage Christians to share the gospel worldwide?
Memory Verse
“These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these on the earth after the flood.”
Genesis 10:32 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you show respect to friends from many backgrounds?
- How can you learn about a culture different from your own?
- How can you share God's love with people far from you?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.