Shem is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Hebrews through the genealogy in Genesis.
Genesis 10 presents the descendants of Noah’s three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 11 then traces a line from Shem through several generations to Abram, later called Abraham. Because the Hebrew patriarchal line is connected to Shem in this genealogy, later tradition associates the Hebrews with him.
The term “Semitic” was later formed from Shem’s name and came to be used in historical and linguistic classifications. Modern scholars use “Semitic” primarily for a language family and related cultural contexts, not as a simple biological category.
Shem should not be confused with Canaan, who is listed as a descendant of Ham. The genealogical table assigns these figures different family lines and regions.