Bible Figure
Javan
son of Japheth and father of the Greeks according to the Bible
Javan was a son of Japheth whose name became associated with the Greek or Ionian peoples.
Biography
Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1 list Javan among Japheth's sons and name Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim or Rodanim among his descendants. Later prophetic texts use Javan as a designation associated with Greek peoples or lands.
Biblical Significance
Javan links the Table of Nations with the biblical world's later awareness of Greek peoples. The personal ancestor and later ethnic designation should be distinguished while crosslinked.