Japheth

Son of Noah, traditionally ancestor of European and northern peoples. One of three sons who survived the Flood aboard the ark. When Ham saw their father’s nakedness, Japheth and Shem walked backward with a garment to cover Noah without looking upon him. For this filial respect, Noah blessed Japheth: “May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem” (Genesis 9:27)—traditionally interpreted as the spread of Japheth’s descendants while sharing in Shem’s spiritual blessings. The Table of Nations (Genesis 10) lists his seven sons—Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras—whose descendants settled in Asia Minor, Mediterranean coastlands, and Europe.