The Curse of Canaan

Following the flood, the sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; the text notes that Ham was the father of Canaan (Genesis 9:18). These three sons populated the whole earth. Noah began to be a husbandman and planted a vineyard. After drinking of the wine, he became drunken and lay uncovered within his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers who were outside (Genesis 9:22). The text does not say why Ham informed his brothers or what his specific intent was in doing so.

Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward to cover the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father's nakedness (Genesis 9:23). When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done unto him, he uttered a series of pronouncements regarding his descendants. He stated, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren" (Genesis 9:25). The text does not say why Canaan was cursed specifically for the actions of his father Ham.

Noah further declared that the Lord God of Shem be blessed and that Canaan shall be his servant. Regarding Japheth, Noah stated that God shall enlarge him and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, while Canaan shall be his servant (Genesis 9:27). Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died (Genesis 9:29). The text does not say how much time elapsed between the planting of the vineyard and the incident in the tent, nor does it detail the reaction of the sons to the curses and blessings.