Interesting Facts

• Elam is identified as one of the sons of Shem, making him a key figure in the post-flood repopulation of the earth according to the genealogies presented.
• His lineage connects to the establishment of early settlements, as he and his brothers are noted for building cities and naming them after themselves. This highlights a foundational role in the societal organization of the time.
• A significant familial connection arises through his lineage, as Rasu’eja, the daughter of Susan, who is the daughter of Elam, becomes the wife of Arpachshad. This links Elam’s descendants to the line of Arpachshad, an important figure in the genealogy leading to Abraham.

Genealogy

• Elam’s father was Shem, one of the three sons of Noah who survived the great flood.
• He had brothers named Ashur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram, all sons of Shem.
• The sons of Elam are listed as Shushan, Machul, and Harmon.
• His granddaughter, Rasu’eja, the daughter of Susan, married Arpachshad in the twenty-ninth jubilee [1373 A.M.]. This establishes a marital link between Elam’s descendants and another branch of Shem’s family.

Historical Context

The era in which Elam lived was the immediate aftermath of the great flood, a period of significant upheaval and the re-establishment of human civilization. Noah enjoined upon his sons and their descendants the importance of righteousness, covering their shame, honoring their Creator and parents, loving their neighbor, and guarding against fornication and uncleanness, citing these as the causes of the flood. The instructions also included prohibitions against shedding and eating blood. This context of moral instruction and the memory of divine judgment likely shaped the early generations. The division of the earth amongst Noah’s sons, including the portion that came forth for Shem and his sons towards the east, including parts of India, Susan, and the Red Sea coast, provides a geographical setting for Elam’s descendants. The building of cities by the sons of Shem, including those attributed to Ashur and Aram, indicates a focus on settlement and the development of organized communities in this post-diluvian world.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Elam within the provided sources is primarily genealogical, establishing his place within the lineage of Shem and his role as a progenitor. While no direct actions or dialogues are attributed to Elam himself, his significance lies in the establishment of a familial line that intersects with other key figures after the flood. The mention of his sons, Shushan, Machul, and Harmon, suggests the early diversification of his immediate family. More notably, the marriage of his granddaughter Rasu’eja to Arpachshad connects his lineage to the line that would eventually lead to Abraham, highlighting the interconnectedness of the early post-flood generations. The act of Elam and his brothers building cities and naming them after themselves implies a role in the early stages of repopulating and organizing the earth according to their familial divisions and inheritances received from Noah. Thus, while Elam does not feature prominently in specific events, his narrative contribution is foundational, marking him as a significant ancestor whose descendants played a part in the subsequent history as outlined in these ancient texts.