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I have read so many treatises on this issue and yet it remains unresolved to me. Many approaches seem logical at first but closer examination usually finds some internal inconsistency. So I wondered what input others here might have. First let me say what issues I think are of concern. I am also aware that translation is part of the issue so I've looked at an interlinear bible to see both the Hebrew and English versions. Gen 5:32 says Noah was the-son-of 500 years and he begat Shem, Ham and Japheth. Gen 7:6 says Noah was the-son-of 600 years and the floods came and Noah et al went into the ark. Gen 8:13 uses a slightly different syntax along the lines of he-is-becoming 601 and in that year they left the ark. Gen 11:10 uses the former syntax to say Shem was the-son-of 100 years and begat Arphaxad but also adds that it was 2 years after the deluge. As many have pointed out, even taking this to mean the beginning of the flood period there is a conundrum. This raises some issues for me. Just how did they count the years of a persons life? Were the three sons triplets or does Gen 5:32 intend to say that Noah had three sons starting in that year? Gen 9:24 appears to refer to Ham as the younger, and Gen 10:21 to Japheth as the elder, leading some to suggest that perhaps Shem was begat 2 years later? Also what does begat [u-iuld] mean? Does it mean conceived or does it refer to actual birth? I am looking for other input as supported by scripture. I may be missing something that someone else has seen.