Genesis 9:22 kjv

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

Genesis 9:22 nkjv

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.

Genesis 9:22 niv

Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.

Genesis 9:22 esv

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.

Genesis 9:22 nlt

Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers.

Genesis 9 verses

Genesis 9 22 Meaning

Genesis 9:22 recounts Ham, specifically identified as the father of Canaan, seeing his father Noah’s nakedness, which was exposed due to drunkenness. Instead of reverently covering his father, Ham departed and recounted what he had witnessed to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, who were outside the tent. This act highlights a profound disrespect for paternal authority and a public disclosure of shame, leading to significant consequences for Ham's lineage.

Genesis 9 22 Context

Genesis 9:22 occurs in the immediate aftermath of the Great Flood and the establishment of God's covenant with Noah and his descendants. This section of Genesis (chapters 6-9) describes a new beginning for humanity, starting with Noah as the progenitor. After disembarking from the ark, Noah, now a farmer, plants a vineyard. This specific incident follows Noah's righteous walk with God during the flood narrative. His drunkenness and subsequent exposure are a sudden turn, showcasing human frailty even in righteous individuals. Ham's response to his father's vulnerable state—observing, disclosing, and potentially mocking—sets a precedent for moral failings within humanity's fresh start. The context is crucial for understanding the subsequent "curse of Canaan" (Gen 9:25-27), which is a prophetic declaration linked directly to Ham's dishonorable actions. This family drama illustrates the deep importance of honor and respect within the familial structure, mirroring broader societal and spiritual principles.

Genesis 9 22 Word analysis

• And Ham (וַיַּרְא חָם - vayyar ra’ Ham): Ham is one of Noah's three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth). His designation as "the father of Canaan" here (Gen 9:22) is critical and deliberate, foreshadowing the curse that falls upon Canaan in Gen 9:25, not directly upon Ham, though the consequence is through his offspring. This identification links the specific transgression directly to the future history of the Canaanites.
• the father of Canaan: This phrase explicitly identifies Ham through his future offspring, drawing a direct line between his disrespectful act and the future status of the Canaanite peoples, whom Israel would later conquer and dispossess. It implies a moral trait passed down or a destiny connected to this initial transgression.
• saw (וַיַּרְא - vayyar): This verb, from the root ra'ah (ראה), means "to see," but in this context, it implies more than a mere glance. It suggests a deliberate observation, perhaps even a gaze or contemplation of his father's vulnerable state. Coupled with "and told," it implies an active decision to acknowledge and broadcast the sight, rather than an accidental encounter that prompted a respectful covering. This specific use often connotes perception, understanding, or even taking notice with intent, rather than simply casual sight.
• the nakedness (עֶרְוַת - ‘ervat): From the root ‘ervah (ערוה), which signifies a shameful, indecent, or uncovered state, especially the genitals. It's not just "undressed" but implies a state of humiliation, vulnerability, and indecency. This term is used in the Pentateuch (e.g., Lev 18) for illicit sexual exposure or shameful displays, signifying deep dishonor. Seeing one's parents' nakedness was considered an act of profound dishonor, almost akin to a sexual offense in some cultural contexts of the ancient Near East, not in the sense of engaging in a sexual act, but of violating boundaries of intimate personal dignity.
• of his father (אָבִיו - ‘aviw): This emphasizes the unique severity of Ham's sin. It was against a parent, who held a sacred and esteemed position in ancient society. The Fifth Commandment (Exo 20:12) underscores the divine importance of honoring one’s parents, making Ham’s disrespect particularly egregious.
• and told (וַיַּגֵּד - vayyaged): This verb indicates a deliberate act of revelation or broadcasting. Ham did not keep the shame private or attempt to cover it. Instead, he publicized it to his brothers, potentially with mockery or contempt. This act elevates his initial transgression (seeing) to a public humiliation of his father.
• his two brothers outside: This detail underscores that Ham went out of his way to spread the news. He did not remain within the tent to deal with the situation, nor did he respectfully cover his father. Instead, he involved others, amplifying the disrespect and shame.

Words-group analysis:

• "Ham the father of Canaan saw the nakedness of his father": This phrase details the active viewing of a shameful, intimate state of one's progenitor. The focus is on the direct observer and the subject of the observation, setting the stage for Ham's subsequent actions of dishonor. The identification of "Ham, the father of Canaan," is crucial because the subsequent curse is pronounced on Canaan, not directly on Ham, illustrating that the consequences of an individual's sin can impact their descendants.
• "and told his two brothers outside": This sequence reveals Ham's deliberate choice to publicize his father's shame instead of concealing it. "Told" implies communication and spreading information, contrasting sharply with the respectful actions of Shem and Japheth, who actively chose not to see and to cover the shame. The location "outside" highlights that Ham moved away from the scene to disclose the matter, demonstrating a conscious act of broadcasting.

Genesis 9 22 Bonus section

While the text does not explicitly describe Ham performing a sexual act upon Noah, the phrase "saw his father's nakedness" in ancient Near Eastern context could carry connotations beyond mere observation, possibly hinting at an act of deliberate shame or disrespect, sometimes interpreted metaphorically as usurping paternal authority or even a ritualistic defilement. However, the most widely accepted scholarly view is that the primary sin was the public shaming and disrespectful revelation of Noah's vulnerability, rather than a direct sexual assault. This interpretation aligns with Shem and Japheth's immediate actions of covering their father without looking, emphasizing the visual disrespect. The passage therefore powerfully illustrates that even passive witnessing of another's shame, coupled with public disclosure rather than dignified concealment, constitutes a significant transgression in God's eyes and carries prophetic consequences. The narrative prefigures the later history of conflict between the descendants of Israel (from Shem) and the inhabitants of Canaan (from Ham), making Ham's action the genealogical and theological root of significant geopolitical realities.

Genesis 9 22 Commentary

Genesis 9:22 is a pivotal narrative that illuminates the continuation of human moral failing even after a catastrophic divine judgment and a new start. Ham's sin was not necessarily sexual violation, as the text simply states "saw" and "told," but a profound breach of filial respect and societal norms of honor. His active "seeing" and subsequent "telling" implied mockery, scorn, or a disrespectful disclosure of his father's vulnerability, thereby dishonoring Noah. This act stands in stark contrast to the reverent behavior of Shem and Japheth (Gen 9:23), who carefully covered their father without looking upon his nakedness, thereby preserving his dignity. The outcome, the "curse of Canaan," is a prophetic declaration from Noah, demonstrating that God-given authority (parental, in this case) carries consequences when dishonored, establishing a moral trajectory for future generations and contributing to the biblical rationale for the future relationship between Israel (descendants of Shem) and the Canaanites (descendants of Ham). This account serves as a moral lesson on respect for elders, the sacredness of family bonds, and the long-term repercussions of actions that violate honor and decency.