Genesis 10:4

the sons of Javan The names here mentioned are evidently geographical. Javan's sons are well-known Greek colonies and settlements or communities. This example will serve to illustrate the composition of the genealogical list.

Elishah Mentioned in Ezekiel 27:7 as a place from which there was a trade in purple. Josephus identified it with the Æolians. Other conjectures have been Hellas, Elis, Sicily, and Carthage. Possibly, it is Alasa, the modern Cyprus.

Tarshish Probably the ancient commercial town of Tartessus, at the mouth of the river Guadalquivir. It is classed with the isles in Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 60:9. Its trade is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:12. On "the ships of Tarshish" in King Solomon's time, see 1 Kings 10:22; 1 Kings 22:48. There were Greek settlements at Tartessus. Cf. Herodotus, i. 163.

Kittim Usually identified with Cyprus and its inhabitants. The chief town was Κιτίον, the modern Larnaca, and was probably occupied at an early time by Greek-speaking people. The name "Kittim" became transferred from Cyprus to other islands. Cf. Jeremiah 2:10; Ezekiel 27:6.

Dodanim In 1 Chronicles 1:7, Rodanim. The LXX and Sam. agree with 1 Chronicles 1:7; and this reading is generally preferred, Rodanim being identified with the island of Rhodes. In Ezekiel 27:15, "the men of Dedan" similarly appear in LXX as ῥόδιοι, i.e. the Rhodians trafficking with the city of Tyre.