Javan

Javan (meaning deceiver; one who makes sad) was the fourth son of Japheth and grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2; 1 Chr. 1:5), whose descendants settled in Greece — specifically Ionia (the western coast of Asia Minor and the Aegean islands). In Hebrew, Greece is consistently called Yāwān (Javan), reflecting the connection between the name and the Ionians who were among the earliest and most prominent Greeks known to the ancient Near East. Daniel's vision of the swift goat conquering the ram refers to the Greek king (melek Yāwān, Dan. 8:21; 10:20; 11:2). Zechariah 9:13 speaks of God raising Judah against Greece. Ezekiel lists Javan among Tyre's trading partners (Ezek. 27:13, 19). The sons of Javan — Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim — represent the various Greek and island peoples (Gen. 10:4).