'These were the sons of Shem' means derivatives of the internal worship meant by 'Shem'. 'According to their families, according to their tongues, in their lands, in their nations' means according to the disposition of each of them in particular and in general - 'according to their families' is according to differences as regards charity, 'according to their tongues' is according to differences as regards faith, 'in their lands' is in general in relation to matters of faith, 'in their nations' is in general in relation to matters of charity.