Bible Dictionaries
Shem

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SHEM . The word signifies ‘name,’ which can also denote ‘fame,’ ‘renown’ (cf. ‘the men of name,’ Genesis 6:4 ). Possibly it is an abbreviation; cf. Shemuel (Samuel), ‘name of God.’ In one of the two traditions combined in J [Note: Jahwist.] ( Genesis 6:18 f., Genesis 10:21-31 ) Shem, the ‘son’ of Noah, is the eponymous ancestor of several peoples, occupying, roughly speaking, the central portions of the known world. P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] has a parallel list in Genesis 11:10-26 . It is clear that Shem (from which is formed the frequently used title Shemites or Semites ) stands merely for a geographical division, for some of the nations traced to him e.g. Elam, and Lud (probably Lydians) are certainly not Semitic. In the other tradition ( Genesis 9:20-27 ) ‘Shem’ stands for a people in Palestine the Hebrews, or some portion of them with whom ‘Japheth’ lived in close conjunction, and to whom ‘Canaan’ was subjugated. See Ham.

A. H. M‘Neile.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Shem'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​s/shem.html. 1909.