Emergency Bible numbers? I'll stick to 911 and other real-world solutions

I thought this meme might be a good exercise for this page:

Upset?

John 14 talks about believing in Jesus, and how that belief will cause a spirit nobody can see or otherwise perceive to come to you. It also talks about how Jesus is the way to the afterlife, and if you only believe, you will live in a mansion after you die.

So...the advice for when you're upset is not to try to find a way to relieve stress or resolve your problems in the real world, but simply to believe in Jesus, and also believe that this belief in Jesus will result in rewards after you die. Oh, and a spirit will live with you and comfort you. Great advice, if you want to ignore the reasons why you're upset.

Weak?

Psalm 18:1-29 talks about how the God character in the Bible comes down from heaven, breathing fire and smoke, and smites enemies with lightning and arrows.

Now, when I was a kid, I was a believer. I was a lonely kid, socially awkward, made fun of a lot. I prayed at the time for aid in stopping people from making fun of me, but I didn't get any sort of treatment like this. Hell, I would settled for a simple stopping of the verbal torture, but it didn't stop. So excuse me if I don't buy this bullshit.

Take a self-defense class. Learn to deflect insults with comedy. Learn how to deal with bullies. Get help in dealing with bullies from adults. When you feel weak, there are ways to gain confidence. My way of gaining confidence was lifting weights. I got bigger and stronger, and it gave me self-esteem. Develop a talent and show it off. Work on a skill. You'll gain respect if you can entertain and impress.

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.Lonely?

Psalm 23. Yes, the whole "Lord is my shepherd" thing.

People who are lonely crave human interaction. Human touch. Human kindness. Faith isn't enough to kill loneliness. Gaining an imaginary friend is what crazy people do. Loneliness can make you crazy, but you could choose human interaction and be healthy. Join a social club of some sort. Make friends online, then agree to meet up. Find people with similar interests or worldviews, and socialize with them. Join a cause. Volunteer. There are all sorts of ways to fix loneliness that don't involve staying lonely, which is essentially what this meme recommends by pointing you to Psalm 23.

Sinned?

Psalm 51 is all about remorse and begging God for mercy.

As atheist, I don't believe in sin, but I do think that we shouldn't cause others harm, and we shouldn't harm ourselves. I also think we should put our efforts and resources toward helping people rather than hurting them. As such, when you do hurt someone, the way to make up for it is to do something nice for them, and make their world better in at least some small way. I don't following arbitrary Bronze Age rules to appease a mythical deity has any intrinsic value.

Worried?

Matthew 8:19-31 is about Jesus calming a storm and casting out demons.

I think the takeaway here is supposed to be to call on Jesus when you're having turmoil in your life, but how does that resolve real-world problems? Jesus calmed the storm through incantations. Magic. He cast out demons. Magic--used against supernatural creatures. Your real-world problems will not go away magically. They have real-world solutions, with the exceptions of incurable diseases, permanent injuries, or genetic disorders. Seek out those solutions. Magic will not help.

Anxious?

Phil. 4:4-9 This verse talks about rejoicing in the deity and reflecting on the teachings of Jesus.

All I can say is: Xanax.

Unhappy?

Col. 3:12-17 I get three things from this passage: sing religious songs, do charity, and be thankful to the deity.

I can do without two of those, although music (not confined to religious songs, which me unhappy) can go a long way toward improving mood. Charity can make you feel good, but what if the reason you're unhappy is that you're broke? More useless advice from the Bible.

In Danger?

Call 911. No, seriously, look at the following verse later; you need to call 911 if you are in danger. The Bible will not help you.

Psalm 91 is about the deity being with you in times of danger, especially in times of war and pestilence. I say again, if you're in danger, the last thing you need to do is read anything from the Bible. It's not going to help. This psalm is about magical creatures protecting you (angels), and that's not the real world.

Depressed?

Psalm 27 talks about how belief in the deity will protect a person from enemies.

I'm not sure what this psalm has to do with depression, but if you're depressed, seek professional help. The Bible will not prescribe you Prozac or talk to you about your problems.

Lack of faith?

Exodus 14 is about the parting of the Red Sea.

So...having faith in a myth about a miraculous event is supposed to restore faith? If you lack faith, how are you going have faith in a myth that requires faith to believe? Once again, we are called upon to believe in magic.

Others unkind?

John 15 talks about loving one another as believers.

I've had Christians treat me unkindly. How does this verse help with that? Reminding them? Maybe, but it doesn't stop others from being unkind.

Need courage?

Joshua 1 is about the deity commanding Joshua to lead the people that Moses had led previously out of Egypt into the "promised land".

Sure, have courage--then commit genocide. Great message . Remember: this book of the Bible is the beginning of the slaughter of everyone in the land of Canaan, so the Israelites could have their "promised land".

Need Direction?

Psalm 73:21-26 says nothing that gives anyone any direction for any real concern in life whatsoever. It's just about trusting in the deity. That's it. No practical advice for the real world at all.

Consult the Magic 8 ball. You'll get more reliable results.

Seeking peace?

Matthew 11:25-30 basically says that if you believe in Jesus, your burden will become light.

I guess they're talking about inner peace here, because I was thinking conflict resolution and diplomacy. For inner peace, someone might want to look into meditation, stress relief, and self-discipline.

Leaving on a trip?

Psalm 121 talks about the deity protecting you while traveling.

It gives you absolutely no practical advice regarding the taking of the trip. No tips or packing advice. Nothing, really.

Labeled an outcast?

Romans 8:31-39 is the "If God is for us, who can be against?" passage.

Today, in the United States, anyone invoking this verse has a delusional persecution complex. It's often invoked when trying to tread on separation of state and church.

Also, it doesn't give any practical advice on how to interact and get along in groups.

Struggling with loss?

Luke 15 is the parable of the prodigal son.

When I saw "struggling with loss", I assumed they were talking about grieving over loved ones, but they were talking about family member losing faith, maybe? I can't figure out where they're going here. That's a misleading item on this list.

Struggling financially?

Psalm 37 tells us to trust in the deity, and be righteous, and we'll inherit the earth.

There is not one bit of advice that will help you with financial woes.

Discouraged with work?

Psalm 126 basically says suffer through work, and you'll be rewarded.

This verse really applies to farming, which is hard work, and it's the only way you're going to have a harvest, and you'll be able to store food to eat in the lean times. However, most of us are not farmers, and working hard simply doesn't reap rewards directly these days. It would be nice if hard work meant you'd be able to live comfortably, but these days, people work hard just to get by. This verse makes me angry, honestly.

Not one bit of practical advice exists in this list of verses. I would argue that this statement is true of the whole Bible. I would challenge anyone to find practical advice for the modern world in this anthology of ancient literature.

Genesis 14

Genesis 14 (commentary below):

[1] And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
[2] That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
[3] All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
[4] Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
[5] And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
[6] And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
[7] And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.
[8] And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
[9] With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
[10] And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
[11] And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
[12] And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
[13] And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eschol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
[14] And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
[15] And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
[16] And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
[17] And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
[18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
[19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
[20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
[21] And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
[22] And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
[23] That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
[24] Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

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Melchizedek gave Abram tithes, but Abram refused anything from the King of Sodom, or at least, that's how I read this passage. I suppose this is significant in respect to what happens later to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Basically, we have city-states at war, and Abram claimed a major victory, using a slave army.

It would be interesting to know the details of how slaves were trained to be warriors. Were they taken young, trained to obey orders, unquestioning, completely loyal, knowing nothing else but fighting?

This chapter is a story about war and turmoil, about strategy and victory; but the implied take-away from it is that slavery was an integral part of life in Abram's time, and Abram was an owner of slaves. Remember, Abram (Abraham) is the father of three religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and he was an owner of slaves.

Freedom was not a value of God's chosen.

Sorry about the lag...but Noah!

Sorry I haven't kept up with this page.  I will be doing more today.  I just want to say that with the "Noah" movie out, there's been so much nonsense floating around about the flood story, which we've already covered here.  As such, I just want to stress that this story exists on a whole different plane of stupidity.  I know people hold the Bible sacred, and I know I'm shitting all over it right now, but I don't care.  If you're an adult, and you have actually read the flood story, and you actually believe it literally, you need to take a serious look at your grasp on reality.  First of all, let's look at the reasons for the flood of the entire Earth:

* Humans were wicked.
* Because humans were wicked, their corruption cursed the ground.  Let me repeat this, because it bears repeating: HUMAN CORRUPTION CURSED THE GROUND.  If you believe the Bible literally, you have to believe that human sin can corrupt both living things and inanimate objects, cursing them to wickedness.

Now, let's look at what the flood--which, I must stress, NEVER HAPPENED ON A GLOBAL SCALE--destroyed:

* "Wicked" humans
* Babies, who wouldn't have known what wickedness was anyway
* Every animal that didn't make it onto the ark.  Now, people have so much hatred for Michael Vick, but this Yahweh character is responsible for so much more cruelty, it's unconscionable.  Drowning isn't quick.  There's a few minutes of suffering there, and what the hell did the animals do?

Okay, that's enough, because it doesn't matter.  The flood did not happen.  There is no scientific evidence for a global flood.  But here's the thing: even if the flood story was literally true, what the God character in the Bible says afterwards invalidates his reason for doing it, and calls into question his omniscience.  He says that men will always have wickedness in their hearts, so he will never destroy the Earth by flood again.  WHAT??!?  You couldn't think of that before destroying everything?

And I'm here to say that whoever authored the book of Genesis was wrong.  Human beings are quite fallible, and they are capable of bad things, but for the most part, they just want to live their lives, love, have friends, maybe have kids, and grow old.  For every monster who bombs a federal building or a crowded event, there are literally millions (with all of the media reach) who pour out their generosity to help injured survivors and the families of deceased victims.

In any case, if human beings really were wicked at heart, the deity would only have himself to blame, since he claimed he made us in his image.

Genesis 13

Genesis 13

[1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
[2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
[3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
[4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
[5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
[6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
[7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
[8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
[9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
[10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
[11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
[12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
[13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
[14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
[15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
[17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

_____________________________________

There are two things I take away from this chapter.

The first is "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly." Didn't we go over this concept after the flood? Didn't this God character realize that men will always be wicked, and killing them in large numbers won't do anything to curb the wickedness? I happen to disagree with the idea that all human beings are inherently bad. For every bomber, there are hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who rush to the aid of survivors and want to help the families of victims. For every natural disaster, there are volunteers who want to help clean up the mess and get survivors to safety. People are not inherently bad, clearly; the evidence we see before our eyes provides a stark contradiction to the claim of the God character in the flood story and in this one.

The second idea that seems contradictory to reality is the gift of the land of Canaan to Abram and his descendants--forever. The occupation of that region by the Israelites has been spotty over the millenia. It seems as though an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent deity would be able to find a way to persuade the people occupying that land to simply move, rather than be slaughtered. Essentially, this claim is wishful thinking, not a true declaration by a deity. If the deity existed, the land would be its gift to give, but since the Genesis was written by a human being, we get claims of what he felt ought to be, put into the mouth of the deity he worshiped.

Genesis 12

[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

[2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
[3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
[4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
[5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
[6] And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
[7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
[8] And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
[9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
[10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
[11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
[12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
[13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
[14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
[15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
[16] And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
[17] And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
[18] And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
[19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
[20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

__________________________________

Now we're getting into the myth of Abraham, who was Abram still.

God sends Abram into the land of Canaan, telling him that he will give him the land and make him and his descendants (he is childless at this point, given that his wife, Sarai, is barren) into great nation--but then famine strikes the land. This famine occurs after Abram erects an altar to his deity, as well, making the famine even more senseless. Why not make this land hospitable, if it is to belong to Abram and his descendants?

Anyway, Abram goes into Egypt to escape the famine and lies to the Pharaoh about Sarai being his wife...why? How important was Abram that the Pharaoh even noticed him and his family? This is the stuff of myth; the woman is so beautiful, the god-man (Pharaoh was considered a demigod) notices her? Fairy tale stuff, indeed. Pharoah can have anyone he wants, but he wants Abram's wife. He also gives Abram and Sarai lots of stuff--makes them rich over his desire of a woman. This is a man who can have any woman in Egypt. He chooses Abram's alleged sister (wife). Sounds suspiciously like other myths--like the reason the Trojan War started.

And of course, God plagues Pharaoh, and Pharaoh knows automatically that it's because of Sarai. Does he kill Abram for the deceit? No, he casts him out--with stuff. And things. With cattle and possessions. Makes perfect sense.

This story has a parallel later in the Bible with a descendant of Abraham. It's a fictional device. The purpose of it escapes me, though. Why have the hero lie like this? Was it to stress how beautiful Sarai was, or was it to demonstrate how deception will fail? I'm not sure.

Genesis 11

[1] And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
[2] And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
[3] And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
[4] And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
[5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
[6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
[7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
[8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
[9] Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
[10] These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
[11] And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
[12] And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:
[13] And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
[14] And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
[15] And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
[16] And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
[17] And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.
[18] And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:
[19] And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.
[20] And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:
[21] And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.
[22] And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:
[23] And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
[24] And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
[25] And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
[26] And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
[27] Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
[28] And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
[29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
[30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
[31] And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
[32] And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
________________________
We come now to the tower of Babel story. The history of languages contradicts this story. Language evolved as people migrated away from each other--slowly. Words were similar in the most ancient of writings, and additions came with differences in the regions. People needed new words for things that didn't exist in the ones from which they migrated. Language changed over time and with separation, but not all at once. The research shows it was clearly gradual.

The real point of the Babel story is that religion feared ingenuity, as reflected in the God character's fear of people being able to do anything they could imagine doing. Scattering people all over the planet was futile, since people had the capacity to learn each other's speech,and they clearly traded. There's no archaeological evidence for the tower of Babel; it's clearly a myth to explain foreign languages and to warn against too much ingenuity.

We have a bunch of begats, naming people we'll forget later, and then we come to Abram, Sarai, and Lot, who are majory players in future stories. Much is made of Sarai's infertility. We'll see why later.

Genesis 10

Genesis 10
[1] Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
[2] The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
[3] And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
[4] And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
[5] By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
[6] And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
[7] And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
[8] And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
[9] He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
[10] And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
[11] Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
[12] And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
[13] And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
[14] And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
[15] And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
[16] And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
[17] And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
[18] And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
[19] And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
[20] These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
[21] Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
[22] The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
[23] And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
[24] And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
[25] And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
[26] And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazar-maveth, and Jerah,
[27] And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
[28] And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
[29] And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
[30] And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
[31] These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
[32] These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
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That Nimord....so mighty. Wow.
This information might be interesting for archaeological purposes. Some of these places actually exist or existed at once time. It would be interesting to know their archaeological history and how consistent it is with this account.