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After a considerable time had elapsed since the flood,[1] Noah planted a vineyard (Gen 9:20).
Rain came in the right amounts for growing crops which were luxuries,[2] such as grapes.[3] No longer did it obliterate life (Gen 7:17–24; Gen 8:11).[4]
While the wine which Noah produced brought comfort from his toil, it became a mixed blessing.[5]
He drank enough to become drunk, strip himself naked, and lie uncovered in his tent (Gen 9:21).[6]
Ham—the father of Canaan—took a good look at his father before informing his two brothers (Gen 9:22). By telling others of Noah’s disgraceful state, Ham humiliated his father.[7]
In contrast, Shem and Japheth expended great effort expended to avoid seeing their father’s nudity.
Imagine them plotting how to manage to clothe Noah without catching a glimpse of him. Perhaps they walked backwards until Noah’s toes came into view and then dropped the cloak over their father (Gen 9:23).[8]
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After coming out of his stupor, Noah learned what his youngest son had done to him (Gen 9:24). For the first time in the entire flood account, he spoke.[9]
He said, “Canaan be cursed. A slave of slaves he will be to his brothers” (Gen 9:25).
Noah may have singled out Canaan because he was Ham’s youngest son or,[10] perhaps, because Canaan adopted the behavior of his father, meriting Noah’s wrath.[11]
In contrast, Noah blessed the God of Shem,[12] implying that a godly lineage would issue from that son (Gen 9:26).[13]
Noah also requested that Japheth’s offspring would populate extensive territory,[14] and that Shem and Japheth would form an alliance.[15]
The patriarch’s last recorded words emphatically reiterated his desire that Shem and Japheth subjugate Canaan (Gen 9:27).[16]
Image via Wikimedia Commons
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Go to The Death of Noah (Gen 9:28–29)
[Related posts include The Waters Prevail (Gen 7:17–20); The Breath of Life Extinguished (Gen 7:21–24); Renewal of the Earth (Gen 8:6–14); The Sons of Noah (Gen 9:18–19); Noah Planted a Vineyard (Gen 9:20–21); Ham Dishonors His Father (Gen 9:22–23); A Slave of Slaves (Gen 9:24–25); Blessed Be the God of Shem (Gen 9:26–27); and Life-Long Honor (Eph 6:2–3)]
[Click here to go to Chapter 10: Noah Curses Canaan (Gen 9:18–27)]
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[1]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 147.
[2]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 321.
[3]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 198.
[4]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 321.
[5]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 198.
[6]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 149.
[7]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 149.
[8]Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 200.
[9]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 149.
[10]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 324.
[11]Matthews, Chavalas, and Walton, IVPBBCOT, Gen 9:27.
[12]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 325.
[13]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 151.
[14] Brown, Driver, and Briggs, “ףתה” (pathah), BDB, 834, https://archive.org/stream/hebrewenglishlex00browuoft#page/834/mode/2up.
[15]Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17, 326.
[16]Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary, 151.
Redemptive History and Theology 