The Life of Shem
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (GEN 5:32) In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month,..., spanning 600 years associated with Shem.
Description
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (GEN 5:32) In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. (GEN 7:11) These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood. (GEN 11:10) ...and Shem lived five hundred years, after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters. (GEN 11:11)
Details
- Type
- Life
- Person
- Shem
- Start
- ~2444 BC(1560 AH)
- End
- ~1844 BC(2160 AH)
- Duration
- 600 years
- Start Reference
- GEN 5:32
- End Reference
- GEN 11:11
Notes
The Flood began when Noah was 600 (GEN 7:11). Two years after the Flood ended, Noah was 603 years old. (math) Two years after the Flood ended, Shem is 100 years old and sires Arpachshad (GEN 11:10). This means that Shem was born 100 years prior, in the 503rd year of Noah's life. Shem lived 100 years BEFORE Arpachshad's birth (GEN 11:10) + 500 years AFTER Arpachshad's birth (GEN 11:11) = 600 years of life.
Related Life Epochs
Frequently Asked Questions
When did The Life of Shem occur in Bible history?
The Life of Shem occurred approximately ~2444 BC to ~1844 BC. This is 1560–2160 AH (Anno Hominis — years from Creation using the Ussher chronology, where Year 1 = ~4004 BC). This period lasted 600 years.
What does “AH” mean in Bible chronology?
AH stands for “Anno Hominis” (Year of Man), a chronological system that counts years from Creation. Under the Ussher chronology, Year 1 AH corresponds to approximately 4004 BC.