Exegetical Brief: Genesis 9:27 Who Will Live in the Tents of Shem?

Abstract

Forrest L. Bivens’ exegetical brief explores the interpretive ambiguity of Genesis 9:27, focusing on the phrase “may he dwell in the tents of Shem.” The central question is whether the subject of “dwell” is Japheth or God. Bivens presents grammatical, syntactical, and contextual arguments for both views. The traditional interpretation sees Japheth as the subject, symbolizing Gentile inclusion in the spiritual blessings of Shem, fulfilled in the New Testament church. Alternatively, ancient Jewish sources and some Christian scholars view God as the subject, emphasizing divine presence among the Semitic people and anticipating the incarnation of Christ. Bivens ultimately favors Japheth as the subject, citing poetic structure, plural “tents,” and typical usage of divine names. He concludes that both interpretations are biblically sound and theologically enriching, offering valuable insights into God’s redemptive plan and the unity of believers. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).