After Noah’s flood, as described in the book of Genesis, the Earth was repopulated by the families of Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 9:18-19 states, “The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the whole earth.” The narrative does not explicitly detail the dynamics of how the Earth was repopulated but implies that Noah’s sons and their wives had children, who then continued to grow the population.

In the context of the Bible, the early chapters of Genesis describe several situations where close relatives married and had children, which, by modern standards, might be considered incestuous. However, it is important to consider the biblical narrative within its own historical and cultural context. Early in human history, as depicted in the Bible, close interfamily marriages were not uncommon and were sometimes necessary for the survival and growth of the human race.

As human societies developed and grew, the laws regarding marriage and familial relationships became more defined. For instance, by the time of Moses, the Law provided specific guidelines about prohibited relationships (Leviticus 18). These laws reflected both the growth of the Israelite community and God’s designs for social and moral order.

In discussing these early events in Genesis, it is also vital to recognize that the Bible often describes what happened historically without necessarily endorsing all behaviors by today’s theological or moral standards. The overarching biblical narrative is about God’s relationship with humanity, human sin and redemption, and the unfolding of God’s plan for creation. The stories of the early human family, including how they navigated relationships and procreation immediately after the flood, are part of this larger story of God’s sovereignty, justice, mercy, and redemption.