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Japheth

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

One of Noah’s three sons, traditionally considered progenitor of Indo-European or northern maritime peoples in biblical genealogy.

Detailed Definition
Japheth’s descendants populated regions beyond Canaan. He and Shem covered Noah’s nakedness, earning blessing. In poetry, Japheth represents expansion, cultural diffusion, and the dignity of nations beyond Israel’s immediate sphere in the post-flood world.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Japheth’s covering of Noah (Genesis 9) illustrates filial respect; In William Blake’s "The Four Zoas," Japheth represents expansive reason; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Japheth symbolizes the son who honors vulnerability; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Japheth’s blessing (“dwell in Shem’s tents”) models inclusion; In John Keble’s "Lyra Innocentium," Japheth represents the ancestor of maritime nations; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Japheth’s backward glance prefigures reverent action.
Additional Notes
Japheth: Son of Noah; blessed to “dwell in the tents of Shem” (Genesis 9:27). Traditionally linked to Indo-European peoples. In poetry, Japheth symbolizes expansion, cultural inheritance, and the blessing of inclusion. His name (“opened” or “fair”) invites reflection on openness—ideal for poems on diaspora, the spread of peoples, or the theological implications of Noah’s blessings.
Also Known As
Japheth son of Noah Japheth the Fair
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