catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Shem
     a name; renown, 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 mentioned first in the
     list of Noah's sons. He and his wife were saved in the ark
     (7:13). Noah foretold his preeminence over Canaan (9:23-27). He
     died at the age of six hundred years, having been for many years
     contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual chronology.
     The Israelitish nation sprang from him (Gen. 11:10-26; 1 Chr.
     1:24-27).