Bible Dictionary
SEMITES, SEMITIC RELIGION
Semites is a later designation derived from Shem, Noah’s son, and is applied especially to peoples and languages associated with the ancient Near East. The biblical account names descendants of Shem, while the broader linguistic classification remains distinct from biblical genealogical terminology.
Biblical Usage
The terms Semites and Semitic do not occur in the Bible. Genesis names Shem’s sons as Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram, and traces from Arpachshad the Hebrews and Arab tribes. The biblical table of nations also distinguishes various peoples whose later linguistic classification has sometimes been broadened under the term Semitic.