The second stage of the report on Shem is Shem lived after the birth of Arpachshad five hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. For comments on sons and daughters see 5.4.

Although it is not stated directly, the fact that Shem lived … five hundred years really includes the information that he died at the end of that time. This may not be clear in some languages; and so it may be necessary to put it into words: “… and then he died.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .