Genesis 10 demonstrates that the blessing of Genesis 1:26-28 as reaffirmed in Genesis really did come to pass. Noah’s sons were fruitful and multiplied and filled the earth (McKeown, THOTC, 67). The structure of the chapter is built around tracing out the offspring of Noah’s three sons. Each section ends with a refrain that is a variation of: “by their clans, their languages, their lands [אֶ֫רֶץ], and their nations” (10:31; cf. 10:5, 20).
Land words also highlight countries that will be significant in Scripture. The “land [אֶ֫רֶץ] of Shinar” is closely connected to Babel and Assyria (10:10-11). Verse 19 gives the boundaries of the “territory [גְּבוּל] of Canaan.” The word גְּבוּל is can be translated territory or boundary. It occurs most often in Joshua, frequently with reference to the setting of the tribal boundaries in the latter part of that book. The “settlements” [hcsb; מוֹשָׁב] of the sons of Joktan are also noted, but their location is uncertain (Mathews, 1:465).
The final significant land word is found in 10:25: “in his [Peleg’s] days the earth [אֶ֫רֶץ] was divided.” Wenham says, “Here ‘the earth’ denotes the peoples of the world” (WBC, 1:230). This most likely refers to the scattering of the peoples at the tower of Babel.* This hints at what will become clear in chapter 11: the fulfillment of the blessing to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth is not unalloyed from elements of sin and judgment.
*Other options are noted by Wenahm and Mathews, but this traditional interpretation is deemed by them most likely. Wenham, WBC, 1:230-31; Mathews, NAC, 1:464.