A dramatic turning point in human history is reflected through the names of two brothers, the sons of Eber. Eber holds special significance because he maintained his faith in God and preserved the original language while the rest of the world strayed from the right path. The focus on these two specific sons does not imply they were his only children; rather, they are highlighted because of the monumental historical events tied to their names [רד״ק, קאסוטו].
The first son, Peleg, is named for the division of the earth that occurred during his lifetime. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel. During this time, humanity scattered from the valley, separating into distinct families, and the world was divided into borders and governments under God's direct guidance [רש״י, שד״ל, מזרחי, גור אריה, ביאור יש״ר]. Additionally, the name reflects a personal distinction, indicating that Peleg himself was separated for the good from his sinful generation [מלבי״ם].
Beyond geographic and linguistic separation, many commentators point to a profound physical division: the halving of human life expectancy. Prior to Peleg's generation, people lived for over four hundred years. From his time onward, lifespans were abruptly cut in half to roughly two hundred years [רד״ק, הכתב והקבלה, חזקוני, דעת זקנים, הדר זקנים]. This sudden decline was a punishment for the sin of the Tower of Babel, which triggered abrupt climatic and environmental changes that deteriorated human health [ספורנו, הכתב והקבלה]. Some suggest that both the geographic division and the shortened lifespans jointly inspired his name [בכור שור].
Naming a child after an event that has not yet occurred raises a natural question. The primary approach among commentators is that Eber was a great prophet who, through divine inspiration, foresaw the future and named his son for an event that would take place near the end of Peleg's life [רש״י, רד״ק, ספורנו, חזקוני]. Others suggest the division actually began right around the time of his birth [ביאור יש״ר], or that the name was given for a different reason but retrospectively proved to be a perfect, prophetic match for the events of his life [קאסוטו].
The second brother is Joktan. While the reasons for his name are not explicitly detailed, commentators offer several perspectives. In terms of character, he was an exceptionally humble man who made himself small, and as a reward for this humility, he established many prominent families [רש״י, מזרחי]. Physically, his name reflects the new reality of his era, marking a significant decrease in both human lifespan and physical height [רד״ק, הכתב והקבלה]. Alternatively, the name indicates that he was lesser in spiritual stature compared to his brother Peleg [מלבי״ם].
Historically, Joktan and his descendants left a distinct geographic footprint. Ancient traditions of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula trace their origins back to him. To this day, they preserve the names of his sons as the titles of tribes, towns, and regions, such as the city of Sana'a and the region of Hadhramaut. This enduring legacy serves as impressive historical evidence for the biblical account of how nations dispersed following the flood [שד״ל, אם למקרא, מלבי״ם].