What does Genesis 10:24 mean?

This verse continues the genealogy of Noah's son Shem. Chapter 10 traces the origins of the ancient world's various people groups—all of whom come from the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Some of these early descendants founded great and powerful people groups. Ham's son, Mizraim, is also known as Egypt. Ham's son Canaan will father several cultures which become bitter enemies of Israel. This chapter shows the origins of city-states and nations which become well-known throughout the rest of the Old Testament, such as Magog, Tarshish, Kittim, Cush, Babel, Nineveh, Sidon, and so forth.

Shem's line leads through Arpachshad to Shelah to Eber and eventually to Abraham and the Israelites. This makes Shem the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It also fulfills the curse given by Noah (Genesis 9:20–25) that Canaan's descendants would be subservient to those of Shem.