Bible Dictionary
Joktan
Joktan was a son of Eber and the father of thirteen tribal descendants. His family is associated in Scripture with peoples dwelling in Arabia.
Definition
Joktan was the second son of Eber and the ancestor of thirteen tribes. His descendants are called Joktanite Arabs.
Biblical Usage
Joktan appears in the genealogies of the nations and of the descendants of Eber. His family is associated with peoples living in Arabia.
Historical Background
The name means “small” according to one supplied explanation. An Arab tradition identifies Joktan with Kahtan, progenitor of tribes of central and southern Arabia.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
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.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(small), son of Eber, (Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19) and the father of the Joktanite Arabs. (Genesis 10:30) (B.C. about 2200.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>jok'-tan (yoqTan, meaning unknown): "Son" of Eber, and "father" of 13 tribes (Ge 10:25,26,29; 1Ch 1:19,20,23).</p>