In Genesis genealogies, Shem is Noah’s son presented as an ancestor of the Israelites. Genesis lists Shem alongside his brothers Ham and Japheth, and later traces a line from Shem through Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, and subsequent generations to Abraham.
The name “Semite” is derived from Shem’s name, although modern scholars use “Semitic” primarily as a linguistic term for a language family rather than as a literal genealogical label. Semitic languages include Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and several ancient languages.
The biblical family relationships are also reflected in later traditions. Shem is treated as an important ancestor in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic genealogical interpretations, though details and emphases differ among sources. Genesis itself identifies him as one of the three sons who left the Ark.
A frequent mix-up is choosing Ham because the “Table of Nations” also discusses peoples associated with his line, or Japheth because he is another prominent son. For the Israelite line in Genesis, the intended answer is Shem.