Shem was born when his father, Noah, was 500 years old. (Genesis 5:32) Shem went into the ark with his parents, brothers, and wife before the Flood. (Genesis 7:13) Shem covered his father Noah after he fell asleep unclothed. His father blesses him as a result. (Genesis 9:23-27) Shem’s descendants are listed in Genesis. (Genesis 10:21-32) Shem was 100 years old when his son, Arpachshad, was born. Shem lived for 600 years. (Genesis 11:10) According to the sages, Shem was the same person as Melchizedek, the King of Shalem, who greeted his great-great-great grandson Abraham. (Genesis 14:18-20) During her pregnancy, Rebecca went to “inquire of Hashem.” Tradition states that Rebecca went to the prophets Shem and his grandson Eber. (25:22-24)
