In this segment of readings we learn some of Noah’s history, which is traced through the male bloodline and in particular by first born, with the exception being Abel who is after being murdered by Cain whereby the bloodline falls to the third son Seth. This introduces us to Noah and his three sons. This where we find the popular narrative of building an ark to evade flooding, and the animals. Most of this story is fairly common, but I was surprised that Noah released both a raven and a dove at first, and the raven did not return. He again released the dove who returned with the olive leaf. I do not know much about birds and the bible, however I do know that ravens are considered “unclean”, whereas doves are considered “clean” birds.
After Noah we learn about his three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem’s descendents became the coastland peoples, Ham’s descendents built various inland cities, and Japheth’s desecents lived near the mountain to the east. As the people traveled east they started to build the tower of Babel; it was during this time that they were eventually dispersed throughout the land. From Shem’s line of descendents we find Terah, and his son Abram who is married to Sarai, Terah’s grandson Lot. Terah, Abram, Sarai and Lot set out to the land of Canaan, with Terah dying in Haran. Abram is inspired by God to go with Sarai and Lot on into the land of Canaan.
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