Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:24

What does Genesis 9:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:24 means

Upon waking from his wine-induced stupor, Noah became aware of what his youngest son—Ham, though the text calls him "his youngest son" indirectly referring to Ham as Canaan's father (v.18)—had done. This awareness signifies Noah's return to lucidity and his understanding of the disrespect shown by Ham. It sets the immediate stage for Noah's prophetic utterances. His subsequent actions are not those of a mere angry father, but of a patriarch speaking under divine inspiration, pronouncing consequential words for his descendants.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, awaking from his wine, Noah saw what his youngest son had done to him, and he said,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Noah awaketh from his wine, and knoweth that which his young son hath done to him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Noe awaking from the wine, when he had learned what his younger son had done to him,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Noah awoke from his wine, and learned what his youngest son had done to him.

Context

This verse immediately follows the contrasting actions of Noah's sons, describing Noah's regaining consciousness and his understanding of the events. It sets the direct stage for Noah's prophetic pronouncements. His awareness of what Ham had done is the catalyst for the blessings and curses that follow, providing the immediate reason and theological justification for those weighty words concerning the future lines of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

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.

v.24This passage

v.25And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

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