What does Genesis 10:20 mean?

This verse wraps up the section describing the lines of Noah's son Ham as they dispersed and established themselves following the events described in chapter 11. Most genealogies in Genesis follow a long, history-spanning line of fathers and sons. The lists given here in chapter 10, however, are meant to be broad. Rather than tracing through time, this "table of nations" shows how the sons of Noah fathered all the tribes and peoples of the ancient world.

Ham's sin against Noah resulted in a curse (Genesis 9:20–25). However, Ham's descendants would become an important people group in the region. Some, in particular the Canaanites, will participate in great wickedness, and God will cause them to be conquered by His people Israel (Deuteronomy 9:3–6). The following verses will describe how the people of Israel will come from the line of Noah's son Shem.