When was Shem born?

Genesis 5:32 indicates two possible things:
1. Noah had triplet male children when he was 500 years old or
2. The first of his three sons was born when Noah was 500 years oldGenesis 11:10 indicates that Shem was born when Noah was 503. No triplets here. So I think 2 would apply, Noah sons started being born to him when Noah was 500 years old.
Look at the order of birth listing in Genesis 6:10 Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 9:24 shows Ham as Noah’s younger son, and Genesis 10:21 shows Japheth as Noah’s elder son. So the order of birth is Japheth, Shem, and then Ham.Now look at Terah
Genesis 11:26 indicates two possible things as with Noah.
1. Terah had triplet male children when he was 70 years old or
2. The first of his three sons was born when Terah was 70 years oldActs 7:4 says that Abram left Haran after his father Terah was dead. No triplets here. Abram had to be born sometime after Terah’s seventieth year. Possibly when Terah was 130 years old.
Look at the order of birth listing in Genesis 11:26 Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
This is the same writing style as the description of Noah’s sons, indicating the same author and possibly the same meaning. The first of Terah’s three sons was born when Terah was 70 years old and the possible order of birth is Haran, Abram, and then Nahor.Your Person: Life Span: Birth-Death: should be:Person: Life Span: Birth-Death:Adam 930 1-930
Seth 912 130-1042
Enosh 905 235-1140
Kenan 910 325-1235
Mahalalel 895 395-1290Yered 962 460-1422
Enoch 365 622-987
Metushelach 969 687-1656
Lemech 777 874-1651
Noah 950 1056-2006Shem 600 1558-2158
Arpachshad 438 1658-2096
Shelah 433 1693-2126
Ever 464 1723-2187
Peleg 239 1757-1996Reu 239 1787-2026
Serug 230 1819-2049
Nachor 148 1849-1957
Terach 205 1878-2083
Haran ? 1948- ?Or possible this:Person: Life Span: Birth-Death:Adam 930 1-930
Seth 912 130-1042
Enos 905 235-1140
Cainan 910 325-1235
Mahalaleel 895 395-1290Jared 962 460-1422
Enoch 365 622-987
Methuselah 969 687-1656
Lamech 777 874-1651
Noah 950 1056-2006Shem 600 1558-2158
Arphaxadshad 438 1658-2096
Salah 433 1693-2126
Eber 464 1723-2187
Peleg 239 1757-1996Reu 239 1787-2026
Serug 230 1819-2049
Nahor 148 1849-1957
Terah 205 1878-2083
Abraham 175 2008-2183
Isaac 180 2108-2288
Jacob 147 2148-2295Abram was born when Terah was 130 years old. This would make him 75 years old when he left Haran after his father’s death. No contradictions.This message has been edited by Peal, 09-12-2004 05:11 PMThis message has been edited by Peal, 09-12-2004 05:57 PM

Hello Abshalom,First let me say that I am not trying to establish oral Mesopotamian myth or fact with message 14. I think there is no way of doing this. However, if the scribe thought that he was preserving or creating the history of his people I don’t think he would view it at as being laborious. I think you are correct in that the story was passed to the next generation by word of mouth until someone put it to pen.