Semitic is a descriptive term for certain peoples of the Middle East, including Jews and Arabs. The Semites are supposedly descended from the biblical Shem, the eldest son of whom?

According to the Book of Genesis, a great flood covered the Earth, and all of humanity was repopulated through the family of a single patriarch who built a giant ark. This man had three sons who would go on to father all the nations of the world: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The biblical narrative lists Shem as the eldest son, and his descendants are said to have settled throughout the Middle East.

The term "Semitic" is derived directly from Shem's name. It was first used in the 1780s by European scholars to classify a major language family that originated in the Middle East. This linguistic group includes ancient languages like Akkadian and Aramaic, as well as modern languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Amharic. By extension, the native speakers of these languages, including both Arabs and Jews, are referred to as Semitic peoples.

While the term is rooted in this biblical genealogy, its modern use is primarily linguistic and cultural, not a reflection of a single genetic lineage. The biblical account is a foundational origin story rather than a scientific anthropological record. It is also worth noting that the related term "anti-Semitism," which emerged in the 19th century, refers specifically to prejudice and hostility toward Jewish people, despite the broader definition of "Semite."