Shem is the son of Noah traditionally identified in Genesis as an ancestor of the Israelites. Genesis 10 places the Israelites’ line within the descendants of Shem through Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, and later Abraham.
Noah’s three sons are Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The genealogical material in Genesis 10 assigns different peoples and regions to their lines, although the chapter is an ancient ethnographic genealogy rather than a modern biological classification.
The word “Semite” is derived from Shem’s name, but modern usage of “Semitic” primarily describes a language family and related cultures. It should not be treated as a simple label for one biblical family alone.
Ham is linked in Genesis with Canaan and other peoples, while Japheth is associated with other nations in the table of nations. These distinctions help prevent confusing Shem with his brothers.