Sabteca סַבְתְּכָא
Son of Cush, grandson of Ham
Who is Sabteca in the Bible?
Sabteca was a son of Cush and a grandson of Ham, appearing in the Table of Nations found in Genesis 10:7 and 1 Chronicles 1:9. He is listed among the descendants of Noah whose families dispersed after the Flood, representing one of the ancient people groups that emerged in the post-Flood world. While scholars have speculated about his geographical connection, some proposing links to ancient settlements like Samydake on the Arabian Peninsula or the kingdom of Sabata, the biblical text provides limited specific information about his identity or location. Sabteca's inclusion in the genealogical record underscores the biblical emphasis on humanity's diversity and the documented spread of nations throughout the ancient world.
Biography
Sabteca is mentioned in Gen.10.7 and 1Ch.1.9 as one of the sons of Cush, who was a son of Ham. He is listed among the descendants of Noah's sons in the Table of Nations, which records the dispersal of people groups after the Flood (Gen.10.1-32). The precise identity and location of the People from Sabteca are unknown, but some scholars suggest a connection with the ancient city of Samydake, mentioned by Greek geographer Strabo, which was located on the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Others propose a link with the ancient kingdom of Sabata, located in the same region. However, these associations remain speculative due to the limited information provided in the biblical text. The inclusion of Sabteca in the Table of Nations highlights the diversity of peoples and nations that emerged from the descendants of Noah and their spread across the earth after the Flood.
Family
Siblings
- Seba Early PatriarchSon of CushSon of Cush, brother of RaamahView full profile →
- Havilah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Sabtah Early PatriarchSon of CushSon of Cush, grandson of HamView full profile →
- Raamah Early PatriarchSon of CushSon of Cush, grandson of Ham, great-grandson of NoahView full profile →
- Nimrod Early PatriarchSon of CushMighty hunter, built citiesView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:7
"The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan."
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:9
"The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | סַבְתְּכָא |
Sabteca
r.1.8">1Ch 1:8,9 the King James Version reads "Sabtecha," the Revised Version (British and American) "Sabteca." Many conjectures have been made as to the place here indicated. Recently Glazer (Skizze, II, 252) has revived the suggestion of Bochart that it is to be identified with Samydake in Carmania on the East of the Persian Gulf. This seems to rest on nothing more than superficial resemblance of the names; but the phonetic changes involved are difficult. Others have thought of various places in Arabia, toward the Persian Gulf; but the data necessary for any satisfactory decision are not now available.
W. Ewing
(1) Father of Ahiam, a follower of David (1Ch 11:35, Codex Vaticanus Achar; Codex Alexandrinus Sachar = "Sharar" of 2Sa 23:33; Sharar is favored as the origi