וּבְנֵ֣י כ֔וּשׁ סְבָא֙ וַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה וְסַבְתָּ֥ה וְרַעְמָ֖ה וְסַבְתְּכָ֑א וּבְנֵ֥י רַעְמָ֖ה שְׁבָ֥א וּדְדָֽן׃
(Genesis 10:7)
And the sons of Kush: Seba, Ḥavilah, Sabtah, Raʿmah, and Sabtekha; and the sons of Raʿmah: Sheba and Dedan.
Genesis 10:7 is part of the Table of Nations, a literary genealogy that maps the spread of humanity after the flood. Though it appears as a simple list, its Hebrew grammar carries both structural and theological depth. Through the repeated use of the conjunction וְ (“and”), construct phrases, and nominal patterns, the verse demonstrates how Hebrew syntax encodes relationship, not just of ancestry, but of geography, ethnicity, and divine order.
The Construct Formula: וּבְנֵי כוּשׁ
- וּבְנֵי: Conjunction + construct form of בֵּן, “and the sons of.”
- כּוּשׁ: Proper noun, “Kush” (often associated with Nubia or the upper Nile region).
This standard genealogical phrase establishes a syntactic frame: the head noun בֵּן appears in the plural construct form and is followed by the proper name of the father. Hebrew genealogy consistently uses this formula to introduce descendants, combining וְ for narrative continuation with the construct state to signal possession or lineage — “sons belonging to Kush.”
The Coordination of Names: סְבָא וַחֲוִילָה וְסַבְתָּה וְרַעְמָה וְסַבְתְּכָא
The five names listed as the sons of Kush are coordinated by the repeated conjunction וְ. This polysyndeton (many “ands”) is not a mere stylistic habit; it serves a structural and rhythmic purpose. It slows the reading pace, marking each name with equal dignity, while also suggesting distinct tribal or territorial identities.
- סְבָא (Seba): Possibly linked to regions in Sudan or Upper Egypt.
- חֲוִילָה (Ḥavilah): A toponym appearing elsewhere in Genesis (2:11; 25:18), possibly denoting a region of gold and spices.
- סַבְתָּה (Sabtah): Likely located along the Arabian or African coastline.
- רַעְמָה (Raʿmah): Associated with trade networks in southern Arabia.
- סַבְתְּכָא (Sabtekha): Less certain, possibly another African-Arabian lineage.
From a grammatical standpoint, each proper name functions as an independent nominative, standing in apposition to the collective subject בְּנֵי כוּשׁ. The repetition of וְ is both syntactic (linking nouns of equal status) and stylistic (creating rhythm in oral recitation).
The Sub-Genealogy: וּבְנֵי רַעְמָה שְׁבָא וּדְדָן
- וּבְנֵי: “and the sons of,” marking a new genealogical subsection.
- רַעְמָה: One of Kush’s sons, now given a sub-lineage of his own.
- שְׁבָא (Sheba): Known for its wealth and spices, often associated with Yemen or southern Arabia.
- דְדָן (Dedan): Linked to trade centers in northwestern Arabia.
The syntax mirrors the earlier pattern but on a smaller scale. This nested genealogy creates a tree-like structure where each “branch” is introduced by the same grammatical pattern. The repetition of וּבְנֵי (“and the sons of”) marks genealogical descent and keeps oral listeners oriented in the hierarchy of names. Hebrew’s construct chain here encodes a structured taxonomy of nations.
Parsing Table of Key Forms
| Form | Parsing | Literal Sense | Grammatical Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| וּבְנֵי | Conjunction + construct plural of בֵּן | “and the sons of” | Standard genealogical formula introducing descendants |
| כּוּשׁ | Proper noun | “Kush” | Head of a lineage; functions as genitive complement |
| וְרַעְמָה | Proper noun with conjunction | “and Raʿmah” | One of Kush’s sons; later given sub-lineage |
| וּבְנֵי רַעְמָה | Conjunction + construct chain | “and the sons of Raʿmah” | Sub-genealogical introduction |
| שְׁבָא וּדְדָן | Proper nouns linked by conjunction | “Sheba and Dedan” | Marks brothers within the same lineage |
The Syntax of Memory and Geography
In ancient Hebrew, genealogy was not simply biological—it was theological geography. Each name represents a remembered people, a territory, or a trade network. The repetitive syntax of וּבְנֵי and וְ encodes how Israel understood the world: ordered by divine decree, related through ancestry, and interconnected across regions. The grammatical simplicity conceals theological sophistication — a worldview where every nation finds its place through linguistic lineage.
The Grammar of Unity through Diversity
Genesis 10:7 turns a list into a theology of order. Through repeated constructs, conjunctions, and noun chains, the verse proclaims a pattern of structured plurality. Grammar mirrors creation: multiplicity under divine oversight. Even in genealogical syntax, the Hebrew text invites awe — that from one ancestor come many, and from many, divine purpose unfolds across nations and generations.