Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:21

What does Genesis 9:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:21 means

Noah consumed the wine from his vineyard, became drunken, and lay uncovered within his tent. This event reveals Noah's human frailty and the immediate re-emergence of sin and imperfection even in the righteous survivor of the flood. His drunkenness led to a shameful exposure. This incident underscores that salvation from judgment does not eradicate the sinful nature within humanity. It sets the stage for the differing responses of his sons, highlighting the moral choices that continue to define human character.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took of the wine of it and was overcome by drink; and he was uncovered in his tent.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and drinketh of the wine, and is drunken, and uncovereth himself in the midst of the tent.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And drinking of the wine was made drunk, and was uncovered in his tent.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken, and he uncovered himself in his tent.

Context

This verse directly follows Noah's establishment as a husbandman, presenting the consequence of his agricultural labors and personal decision. It describes the immediate family crisis that will unfold, introducing the elements of Noah's drunkenness and nakedness. This event is the catalyst for the subsequent actions of his sons, providing the essential context for understanding the resulting curse upon Canaan and the blessings upon Shem and Japheth.

v.20And Noah began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard:

v.21This passage

v.22And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

  • Galatians 5:21

    envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:12

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:20

    Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

  • Proverbs 20:1

    Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

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