joktan Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
joktan in Easton's Bible Dictionary
little, the second of the two sons of Eber (Gen. 10:25; 1 Chr. 1:19). There is an Arab tradition that Joktan (Arab. Kahtan) was the progenitor of all the purest tribes of Central and Southern Arabia.
joktan in Smith's Bible Dictionary
(small), son of Eber, #Ge 10:25; 1Ch 1:19| and the father of the Joktanite Arabs. #Ge 10:30| (B.C. about 2200.)
joktan in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
JOK'TAN (who is made small), a descendant of Shem, ancestor of the Joktanite Arabs. Gen 10:25-30; 1 Chr 1:19-23.
joktan in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Son of Eber (Genesis 10:25,30; 1 Chronicles 1:19). Head of the Joktanite Arabs. His settlements were in S. Arabia, "from Mesha unto Sephar a mount of the East" (Zafari, a seaport E. of Yemen; an emporium of trade with Africa and India). The Arab Kahtan whose sons peopled Yemen or Arabia Felix. Cushites from Ham (Genesis 10:7) and Luditesfrom Shem (Genesis 10:22) were already there, and intermingled with them. The seafaring element was derived from the Cushites, the Shemites not being seafaring; also the Cyclopean masonry and the rock cut Himyeritic inscriptions indicate the presence of Cushites. Arab tradition makes Joktan or Kahtan progenitor of the purest tribes of central and southern Arabia. The Scripture list of his descendants confirms this; almost all the names are certainly connected with this locality: "Almodad (El-Mudad), Sheleph (Sulaf or Silfan), Hazarmaveth" (Hadramaut), etc.