Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:22

What does Genesis 9:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:22 means

Ham, identified here as the father of Canaan, discovered his father's nakedness within the tent. Instead of showing respect or covering his father, he went outside and openly reported the shameful situation to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth. Ham's actions reveal a lack of reverence and perhaps even a degree of mocking or malicious intent. His failure to honor his father's privacy and dignity becomes a pivotal point, demonstrating a moral insensitivity that stands in stark contrast to his brothers' later actions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father unclothed, and gave news of it to his two brothers outside.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Ham, father of Canaan, seeth the nakedness of his father, and declareth to his two brethren without.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Which when Cham the father of Chanaan had seen, to wit, that his father's nakedness was uncovered, he told it to his two brethren without.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse immediately recounts Ham's reaction to his father's drunken nakedness, setting the stage for the moral and familial conflict that dominates the rest of the chapter. His specific actions—seeing and then reporting—are presented in direct contrast to the subsequent conduct of Shem and Japheth. This incident provides the immediate cause for Noah's subsequent curse upon Canaan (Ham's son) and the blessings upon his other sons, highlighting the consequences of Ham's disrespect.

v.21and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

v.22This passage

v.23And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 9:25

    And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

  • Genesis 10:15

    And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,

  • 1 Chronicles 1:13

    And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,

  • Psalms 40:15

    Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me, Aha, aha.

  • Matthew 18:15

    And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

  • Galatians 6:1

    Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 9

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 9.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 9:22.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary