The thirteen names given in these verses are not adapted to the context as a similar list is in verses 15-18. Each name occurs following the waw prefixed to the object marker, and with no suffix -i to indicate a people called by that name. Seven of the thirteen names are unknown, as is their location in verse 30. However, the name Hazarmaveth is generally agreed to be “Hadramaut,” the modern name of a region in South Yemen, which gives a hint as to the general location. The unknown names are Almodad, Jerah, Hadoram, Diklah (Arabic for date palm), Obal, Abimael, and Jobab.

Sheba: in 10.7 this is one of the sons or descendants of Cush. It is sometimes used to refer to the entire Arabian peninsula. Supposedly it is connected with the Queen of Sheba in 1 Kings 10.

Ophir was famous for its gold. Ophir is mentioned in 1 Kgs 9.28 and elsewhere. Its location is disputed, but the context suggests South Arabia.

Havilah is one of the sons or descendants of Cush in 10.7. It was also famous for its gold. It is mentioned in Gen 2.11; 25.18; 1 Sam 15.7. Its probable location is South Arabia.

Sheleph and Uzal: location unknown. The name Sheleph is found in ancient inscriptions. Uzal occurs elsewhere in Ezek 27.19 as a source of wine bartered with Tyre. According to Arabic tradition Uzal (or Azal) was the pre-Islamic name of Sanʿa, the capital of North Yemen.

All these were the sons of Joktan is a summarizing formula used when the “sons” named are numerous. These now points back to the thirteen names in verses 26-29.

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 .