Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:26

What does Genesis 9:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:26 means

Noah blesses Jehovah, the God of Shem, associating God directly with Shem's lineage. He then declares that Canaan, Ham's son, shall be Shem's servant. This blessing reveals God's special favor upon Shem and his descendants. The emphasis on "Jehovah, the God of Shem" points toward a spiritual blessing and the preservation of true worship through Shem's line, from which Abraham and ultimately Christ would come. Canaan's servitude reinforces the prophetic consequence of Ham's disrespect, positioning Shem's descendants in a place of spiritual and practical ascendancy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Praise to the Lord, the God of Shem; let Canaan be his servant.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith: `Blessed of Jehovah my God <FI>is<Fi> Shem, And Canaan is servant to him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: Blessed be the Lord God of Sem, be Chanaan his servant.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, theGod of Shem, And let Canaan be his bondman.

Context

This verse follows the curse on Canaan, shifting to a blessing on Shem and a prophetic declaration of Canaan's subjugation to Shem. It is part of Noah's three-part prophetic utterance, detailing the different destinies of his sons' lineages. This blessing establishes Shem's line as the spiritual and perhaps political inheritors of God's favor, setting the stage for the unfolding of redemptive history through his descendants, particularly the nation of Israel.

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

v.26This passage

v.27God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 9:5

    whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

  • Genesis 27:40

    And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.

  • Deuteronomy 33:26

    There is none like unto God, O Jeshurun, Who rideth upon the heavens for thy help, And in his excellency on the skies.

  • Genesis 27:37

    And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with grain and new wine have I sustained him: and what then shall I do for thee, my son?

  • Genesis 10:10

    And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

  • Psalms 144:15

    Happy is the people that is in such a case; Yea, happy is the people whose God is Jehovah.

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