Genesis 10:22 reads, “The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.”
Elam is the ancient name for Persia, which is itself the ancient name for Iran. Until the time of Cyrus, they were called Elamites, and they were still often called that even in New Testament times. The Jews from Persia, who were present at Pentecost were called Elamites (Acts 2:9). Cyrus seems to have been the first to be called “the king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1). Since the 1930’s they have insisted on being called Iran. It might be interesting to note that the word Aryan. The very term “Aryan” signifies a mixed-race of Semites and Japhethites. The Iranians are descended from Madai, the son of Japheth, and Elam, the son of Shem. It is strange that Adolph Hitler, who hated the Jews with a passion, chose a mixed race of Semites and Japhethites as a model for his pure race of supermen. This is one of the few things we say about Hitler that was actually funny.