Arpachshad

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Arpachshad

Arpachshad (Hebrew: ארְפַכְשַׁד) was a biblical figure listed as one of the five sons of Shem, Noah’s son. He appears in Genesis as part of the genealogy from Adam to Abraham, making him an early ancestor of the Israelites. He is said to have been born about two years after the Flood.

Family and lineage
- Brothers: Elam, Asshur, Lud, and Aram
- Son: Selah (in the Septuagint, his son is Cainan)
- He is named in Luke’s genealogy in the New Testament

Biblical accounts
- Arpachshad is mentioned in Genesis 10–11 as part of the line from Adam to Terah
- Some traditions name his wife as Rasu’aya; other details vary in different sources
- His line leads to Abram/Abraham

Identifications and interpretations
- Ancient traditions sometimes link Arpachshad to Ur Kasdim (Ur of the Chaldees) or to Mesopotamian places; scholars have offered different views
- Some modern scholars associate him with Babylon

Other mentions
- In the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, a king named Arpaxad of the Medes is mentioned, possibly connected with early Median rulers such as Phraortes or Cyaxares

In short, Arpachshad is an early biblical figure, a son of Shem and ancestor of Abraham, with various traditional notes about his family and possible places of origin.