Arphaxads

Arphaxads is a term that appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis. It refers to a descendant of Noah, through his son Shem. Genesis 10:22 lists Arphaxads as the son of Shem and the father of Shelah. Further genealogies in Genesis trace a lineage through Arphaxads, notably leading to Abraham and the Israelite people. He is therefore a significant figure in biblical patriarchal lineage. The name Arphaxads is also sometimes transliterated as Arpachshad. The exact etymology and meaning of the name are debated among scholars, with various interpretations proposed, often linking it to Mesopotamian or Semitic roots. The historical and archaeological evidence for the existence of individuals named Arphaxads is limited, and their primary significance lies within the biblical narrative. The text presents him as a link in a crucial ancestral line, connecting the post-flood world to key figures in religious history.