Interesting Facts

• Joktan is identified as the brother of Peleg.
• His name means that in his day the lives of the sons of men were diminished and lessened.
• Joktan begat Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.

Genealogy

• Joktan was the son of Eber.
• His brother was Peleg.
• His grandfather was Shelah (also called Salah).
• His great-grandfather was Arphaxad, the son of Shem.
• His great-great-grandfather was Shem, a son of Noah.
• He fathered thirteen sons: Almodad, Shelaf, Chazarmoveth, Yerach, Hadurom, Ozel, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.

Historical Context

According to the Book of Jubilees, Joktan was born in the thirty-seventh jubilee, corresponding to the year 1772 A.M.. This period followed the significant event of the division of the earth in the days of his brother Peleg. The construction of cities was underway, as Noah had instructed his sons to build them. The narrative also indicates that during this time, unclean demons began to lead astray the children of Noah’s sons, prompting Noah to pray for divine intervention. God instructed Noah’s sons to bind the demons, but Mastema pleaded for a tenth to remain to exert his will on mankind. The Book of Jubilees places the marriage of Peleg in the thirty-third jubilee and the birth of Reu in the thirty-third jubilee as well, indicating that Joktan lived during the time leading up to and encompassing the building of the city and the tower in the land of Shinar. The name given to Joktan, signifying the diminishing of human lifespan, suggests a cultural awareness of changing circumstances or perhaps a perceived decline in the state of humanity during his era.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Joktan in the selected sources is primarily genealogical. Genesis notes his birth as the brother of Peleg and lists his numerous offspring. Jasher echoes this information, adding the meaning of his name as relating to the diminishing and lessening of the lives of men in his day. The Book of Jubilees places his birth within a specific jubilee year. While the sources do not detail specific actions or dialogues of Joktan, his significance lies in his lineage, connecting him to Eber and the generations following the division of the earth. The large number of sons attributed to him indicates a continuation of the repopulation efforts after the flood and the subsequent dispersal of peoples. His existence and progeny contribute to the broader genealogical record tracing the descendants of Shem. The meaning associated with his name, though not explicitly elaborated upon, hints at a potential narrative theme of declining human longevity or societal conditions during his lifetime, as perceived by the authors of these ancient texts.