Shemite of Hebrew Recieved Priesthood from his fathers lines Note: The first mentioned of the sons of Noah (Gen. 5:32; 6:10). He was probably the eldest of Noah 's sons. The words "brother of Japheth the elder" in Gen. 10:21 are more correctly rendered " the elder brother of Japheth," as in the Revised Version. Shem's name is generally mentione d first in the list of Noah's sons. He and his wife were saved in the ark (7:13). Noah foreto ld his preeminence over Canaan (9:23-27). He died at the age of six hundred years, having bee n for many years contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual . The Israelitish nation s prang from him (Gen. 11:10-26; 1 Chr. 1:24-27).