JAPHETH (np.:)  , in the Bible, the youngest son of Noah 1 according to the Priestly Code (c . 45o B.C.); but in the earlier tradition' the second son, also the " father " of one of the three groups into which the nations of the world are divided.' In Gen. ix . 27, Noah pronounces the following blessing on Japheth " God enlarge (Heb. yapht) Japheth (Heb. yepheth), And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant." This is probably an ancient oracle independent alike of the flood story and the genealogical scheme in Gen. x . Shem is probably Israel; Canaan, of course, the Canaanites; by analogy, Japheth should be some third element of the population of Palestine—the Philistines or the Phoenicians have been suggested . The sense of the second line is doubtful, it may be " let God dwell " or " let Japheth dwell "; on the latter view Japheth appears to be in friendly alliance with Shem . The words might mean that Japheth was an intruding invader, but this is not consonant with the tone of the oracle . Possibly Japheth is only present in Gen. ix . 20-27 through corruption of the text, Japheth may be an accidental repetition of yapht " may he enlarge," misread as a proper name . In Gen. x . Japheth is the northern and western division of the nations; being perhaps used as a convenient title under which to group the more remote peoples who were not thought of as standing in ethnic or political connexion with Israel or Egypt . Thus of his descendants, Gomer, Magog,' Tubal, Meshech, Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah are peoples who are located with more or less certainty in N.E . Asia Minor, Armenia and the lands to the N.E. of the Black Sea; Javan is the Ionians, used loosely for the seafaring peoples of the West, including Tarshish (Tartessus in Spain); Kittim (Cyprus), Rodanim' (Rhodes) .

There is no certain

identification of Tiras and Elishah . The similarity of the name Japheth to the Titan Iapetos of Greek mythology is probably a mere accident . A place Japheth is mentioned in Judith ii . 25, but it is quite unknown . In addition to commentaries and dictionary articles, see E . Meyer, Die Israeliten and ihre Nachbarstamme, pp . 219 sqq . (W . H .