Genesis chapter 9 opens with the blessings of God on Noah and his children (Gen. 9:1). The devastation of the flood has passed. Now God establishes a covenant with the remaining inhabits and instructs them to go into the world and replenish it (Gen. 9:1-17). Here in these early days of reestablishing the nations of the earth an interesting interaction takes place. Noah had planted a vineyard and made wine (Gen. 9:20-21). He became drunk from his wine and was laying in his tent uncovered (Gen. 9:21). The next scene finds Ham, the father of Canaan, seeing Noah’s nakedness and telling his brothers (Gen. 9:22). The brothers Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it across their shoulders, and walked backwards into the tent to cover Noah. (Gen 9:23). When Noah awoke, he cursed Canaan and swore they would be lowest of slaves to his brothers (Gen. 9:24). To the modern …show more content…
These include theories that Canaan was present when the act was committed, Canaan was the result of an incestuous act, Canaan was punished for his father’s sin. Other theories state that the text is actually speaking of Ham but the curse would not fall on all of his descendants, or Ham is being punished by having his youngest son Canaan bring shame just as he, as the youngest, brought shame on Noah. Some see Noah’s pronouncement is the result of prophetic understanding of the linage of Canaan. Roy Zuck states, Canaan the people and not the man, is the fulfillment of the prophecy. Canaanites in the Hebrew mind were the natural embodiment of Ham and the things they did was representative of the attitude of Ham. Joshua's subjection of the Gibeonites, who were descendants of Canaan, appears to be the first example of this oppression (Josh. 9:11, 27). The curse was fulfilled when Joshua conquered the land of Canaan. The Canaanites became extinct when the Romans destroyed their last colony in North Africa in 146