Who is…
Japheth

also known as: Yafet

Hebrew: יָ֫פֶת or יֶפֶת —transliteration: Yepheth or Japheth —meaning: uncertain—either “wide spreading” as in “God shall enlarge Japheth” (Hebrew: Yaphat Elohim le-Yephet, Genesis 9:27), or some derive the name from yaphah, “to be beautiful”

Greek: Ἰάφεθ

Japheth was one of the sons of Noah, mentioned last in order (Genesis 5:32; 6:10; 7:13), perhaps first by birth (10:21; compare 9:24). [Note: The KJV, NKJV and NIV show Japheth as the “elder” in Genesis 10:21. However, the NASB, RSV and NRSV assume the meaning was opposite, that Shem was “the elder brother of Japheth.” The NASB marginal note acknowledges that this assumption may be wrong.]

Japheth and his wife were 2 of the 8 saved in the ark (1 Peter 3:20). The name of his wife is not mentioned.

He was the progenitor of many tribes inhabiting the east of Europe and the north of Asia (Genesis 10:2-5).

Blessing

Japheth’s act of high respect and honor for his father (Gen. 9:20-27) was the occasion of Noah’s prophecy of the extension of Japheth’s posterity.

“Blessed be Yahweh,
The God of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.
May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.” —Gen. 9:26-27 excerpt

After the Flood, the Earth was repopulated by the descendants of Noah, “the sons of Japheth” (Genesis 10:2), “the sons of Ham” (Gen 10:6), and “the sons of Shem” (Genesis 10:22).

Relatives

• Father: Noah
• Mother: not named in Scripture
• Sons: • Gomer • Magog • Madai • Javan • Tubal • Meshech • Tiras

Descendants, dispersed after the Tower of Babel confusion of languages

• Son: Gomer → Gomerites:

• Galatians (Anatolian Galatia)

• Cappadocians

• Cimmerians/Gimmerai (southern Russia)

• Armenians

• Celts

• Gauls

• Son: Magog

• Caucasians

• Scythians

• Son: Madai → The Madai / Medes

• Son: Javan → Javanites:

More information

• Who is NOAH, Japheth’s father?

• Who is Japheth’s MOTHER? What was she like? Learn about this rarely mentioned, but important woman.

• Shem (his brother)
• Ham (his brother)
• Deluge (the Flood