....Cursed be Canaan....

[JerryNumbers]

Barnes Commentary

Gen_9:26, Gen_9:27

And he said. - The prediction concerning the other two brothers is a distinct utterance of Noah. "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Shem." The characteristic boon of Shem is that Yahweh, the one true, living, known God, is his God. The knowledge and worship of the Creator is preserved in the family of Shem, when it is lost or fatally obscured among the other descendants of Noah. The prophet is so conscious of the unspeakable blessing of knowing and loving the true God, that he breaks out into thanksgiving in the very act of announcing the transcendent privilege of Shem. There is a dark side, however, to this prophetic thought, as it implies that the two other families of mankind, at least for part of the period under the prophet?s view, were estranged from the true and living God. History corroborates both aspects of this prophetic sentence for the space of two thousand four hundred years. During the most part of this long period the Holy Yahweh Omnipotent was unknown to the great mass of the Japhethites, Hamites, and even Shemites. And it was only by the special election and consecration of an individual Shemite to be the head of a special people, and the father of the faithful, that he did not cease to be the God of even a remnant of Shem.

Then follows the refrain, "And Kenaan shall be servant unto them." The phrase "unto them" proves that Shem here comprehends the race descended from him, and consisting of many individuals. Scripture sees the race in the father, traces up its unity to him, discerns in him the leading traits of character that often mark his remotest posterity, and identifies with him in destiny all those of his race who continue to take after him. Thus, Adam denotes the whole race, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, its three great branches. Attention to this law of the unity, continuity, and identity of a race, will aid us much in understanding the dealings of Providence with the several branches of the human family. We learn also from the same phrase that this solemn sentence is no mere ebullition of the personal feelings of Noah. He is not speaking of Shem and Kenaan merely, but of the future races that are to spring from them. This appears still more plainly from the fact that Japheth, as well as Ham, is described as long estranged from the true God. And now that we are on spiritual ground, it ought to be observed that Kenaan?s curse is not exclusion, either present or prospective, from the mercy of God. That is an evil he brings on himself by a voluntary departure from the living God. The curse merely affects the body - the personal liberty. It is a mere degradation from some of the natural rights of our common humanity; and does not of itself cut him off from any offer of mercy, or benefit of repentant faith.God shall enlarge Japheth. - God is here spoken of by his generic name. This intimates, or at least coincides, with the fact that Japheth did not continue that nearness of approach to him which is implied in the use of the personal name. There is in the original a play upon the word "Japheth", which itself signifies enlargement. This enlargement is the most striking point in the history of Japheth, who is the progenitor of the inhabitants of Europe, Asia, and America, except the region between the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Euxine, the Caspian, and the mountains beyond the Tigris, which was the main seat of the Shemites. This expansive power refers not only to the territory and the multitude of the Japhethites, but also to their intellectual and active faculties. The metaphysics of the Hindus, the philosophy of the Greeks, the military prowess of the Romans, and the modern science and civilization of the world, are due to the race of Japheth. And though the moral and the spiritual were first developed among the Shemites, yet the Japhethites have proved themselves capable of rising to the heights of these lofty themes, and have elaborated that noble form of human speech, which was adopted, in the providence of God, as best suited to convey to mankind that further development of Old Testament truth which is furnished in the New.And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. - We regard Japheth as the subject of this sentence; because, if God were its subject, the meaning would be substantially the same as the blessing of Shem, already given, and because this would intermingle the blessing of Shem with that of Japheth, without any important addition to our information. Whereas, when Japheth is the subject of the sentence, we learn that he shall dwell in the tents of Shem - an altogether new proposition. This form of expression does not indicate a direct invasion and conquest of the land of Shem, which would not be in keeping with the blessing pronounced on him in the previous sentence: it rather implies that this dwelling together would be a benefit to Japheth, and no injury to Shem. Accordingly, we find that when the Persians conquered the Babylonian empire, they restored the Jews to their native land; when Alexander the Great conquered the Persians, he gave protection to the Jews; and when the Romans subdued the Greek monarchy, they befriended the chosen nation, and allowed them a large measure of self-government. In their time came the Messiah, and instituted that new form of the church of the Old Testament which not only retained the best part of the ancient people of God, but extended itself over the whole of Europe, the chief seat of Japheth; went with him wherever he went; and is at this day, through the blessing of God on his political and moral influence, penetrating into the moral darkness of Ham, as well as the remainder of Shem and Japheth himself. Thus, in the highest of all senses, Japheth is dwelling in the tents of Shem.

Again comes the refrain, "And Keenan shall be servant unto them." A portion of Japheth still holds a portion of Ham in bondage. But this very bondage has been the means of bringing some of the sons of Ham to dwell in the tents of Shem; and the day is not far distant when Japheth will relinquish altogether the compulsory hold upon his brother, and consecrate his entire moral influence over him to the revival in his race of the knowledge and love of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thus, it appears that the destiny of these three great branches of the Noachic family, during the time of their separation on the high question of their relation to God, is traced out with great fidelity in this remarkable prediction. Ham is aptly represented by Kenaan, the slave, who is seized, enslaved, and sold even by his kinsmen to one another, and to the descendants of Shem and Japheth. Shem includes within his posterity the select family who know God as the Lord, the God of promise, of mercy, of salvation. Japheth is enlarged by God, and at length becomes acquainted with him whom he once ignorantly worshipped. The historian recognizes these as salient points in the experience of the three races, so long as they continue apart. The time is approaching when this strange intermediate development will come to a happy issue, in the reunion of all the members of the human family, according to clearer and further-reaching prophecies yet to be delivered.

Gen_9:28, Gen_9:29

The history of Noah is now closed, in the customary form of the fifth chapter. This marks a connection between the third and fourth documents, and points to one hand as the composer, or at least compiler, of both. The document now closed could not have had the last paragraph appended to it until after the death of Noah. But, with the exception of these two verses, it might have been composed hundreds of years before. This strongly favors the notion of a constant continuator, or, at all events, continuation of the sacred history. Every new prophet and inspired writer whom God raised up added the necessary portion and made the necessary insertions in the sacred record. And hence, the Word of God had a progressive growth and adaptation to the successive ages of the church.

The present document stands between the old world and the new world. Hence, it has a double character, being the close of the antediluvian history, and the introduction to that of the postdiluvian race. It records a great event, pregnant with warning to all future generations of men. And it notes the delegation, by God to man, of authority to punish the murderer by death, and therefore to enforce all the minor sanctions of law for breaches of the civil compact. It therefore points out the institution of civil government as coming from God, and clearly exhibits the accountability of all governments to God for all the powers they hold, and for the mode in which they are exercised. This also is a great historical lesson for all ages.

[heartstrings]

Barnes Commentary

Gen_9:25-27

The prophecy consists of two parts - a malediction and a benediction. "Cursed be Kenaan." A curse Gen_3:14, Gen_3:17; Gen_4:11 is any privation, inferiority, or other ill, expressed in the form of a doom, and bearing, not always upon the object directly expressed, but upon the party who is in the transgression. Thus, the soil is cursed on account of Adam the transgressor Gen_3:17. It is apparent that in the present ease the prime mover was Ham, who is therefore punished in the prospect of a curse resting on his posterity, and especially on a particular line of it. Let us not imagine, however, that the ways of the Lord are not equal in this matter; for Kenaan and his descendants no doubt abundantly deserved this special visitation. And as the other descendants of Ham are not otherwise mentioned in the prophecy, we may presume that they shared in the curse pronounced upon Kenaan. At all events, they are not expressly included in the blessing pronounced on the other two divisions of the human family, It is proper to observe, also, that this prediction does not affirm an absolute perpetuity in the doom of Ham or Kenaan. It only delineates their relative condition until the whole race is again brought within the scope of prophecy.

A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. - The curse here consists in servitude, which is in itself an inferiority, and, among the children of self-will, tends more and more to all the horrid ills of slavery. Slavery originated in war and conquest. The mere warrior put the captives to death, the cannibal devoured them, the economist fed them for their labor. Accordingly, slavery soon made its appearance in all countries which were trodden by the conqueror. A system of slavery, imposed without consent and for no crime, is a dire evil. Besides the direct injustice of robbing a fellow-man of his personal liberty, it dissolves wedlock, breaks the family tie, and disregards the conscience. It trades, therefore, in the souls as well as the bodies of mankind. It is a historical fact that the degradation of slavery has fallen especially upon the race of Ham. A portion of the Kenaanites became bondsmen among the Israelites, who were of the race of Shem. The early Babylonians, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, and Egyptians, who all belonged to the race of Ham, were subjugated by the Assyrians, who were Shemites, the Persians, the Macedonians, and the Romans, who were all Japhethites. And in modern times it is well known that most of the nations of Europe traded in African slaves. "A servant of servants" means a slave of the most abject kind. "Unto his brethren." If the doom of slavery be referred to the race of Ham, then his brethren are the descendants of Japheth and Shem, who have held many of the Hamites in bondage. If we limit the sentence to Kenaan, then his brethren may include the other descendants of Ham. It is said that the servile tribe is also the most tyrannical; and it is the fact that the Africans have lent themselves to the forcible seizing and selling into slavery in distant lands of their own kinsmen and fellow-countrymen

It is a historical fact that the degradation of slavery has fallen especially upon the race of Ham.

That is not true. First of all, Noah did not curse Ham; He only cursed Ham's youngest son Canaan. The Israelites were enslaved by descendents of Ham in Egypt for 500 years.

A portion of the Kenaanites became bondsmen among the Israelites, who were of the race of Shem.

There is a big difference in "a portion" being servants, and the whole lot. And God told Israel to kill the Canaanites, not enslave them.

The early Babylonians,

The babylonians were descencents of Cush, not Canaan.

the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians,

Both the Phoenecians and Carthaginians are regarded as Canaanites.

and Egyptians, who all belonged to the race of Ham, were subjugated by the Assyrians, who were Shemites,

Why didn't he mention that the Israelites (Shemites) were also subjugated to the Assyrians.

And in modern times it is well known that most of the nations of Europe traded in African slaves. "A servant of servants" means a slave of the most abject kind.

Once again, African slaves WERE NOT descendents of Canaan. Ham was not cursed.

It is said that the servile tribe is also the most tyrannical; and it is the fact that the Africans have lent themselves to the forcible seizing and selling into slavery in distant lands of their own kinsmen and fellow-countrymen

That's just a bunch of baloney. Every other "race" has done the same thing and worse.


Noah got so reeling drunk that he passed out. "WIne is a mocker and strong drink is raging" and Noah was deceived by it. Noah was not immune to that verse. It held true then as it does today. And the stuff about "there was no fermentation before the flood" cannot be true. Why? Because the ground was already cursed before the flood, there was death, God had already created bacteria,...what do you think happened to the food eaten before the flood?? It's called decomposition. There was undoubtedly decay......fermentation. Noah made wine and got drunk, and things went downhill from there, simple as that. Noah cursed the youngest of Ham's four sons....an individual, not a race.. And the Bible DOES NOT record that Canaan did anything wrong. It does not say that God sanctioned Noah's curse. And once again....Africans are NOT descendents of Canaan. The only descendents of Canaan, that I know of, are in the country of Lebanon. Are the Lebanese slaves today?

You know why, I think, that slavery of Africans lasted as long as it did in America? Because Christian people were taught this junk and believed it. It's still being preached today. Once again.... Africans ARE NOT descendents of Canaan and even Canaanites are NOT a race slaves.

[JerryNumbers]

That is your opinion and I think your 100% wrong.

The reason for black slaves was because of the sins and greediness of man kind.

[heartstrings]

That is your opinion and I think your 100% wrong.

I'm not 100% wrong. The "curse of ham" WAS taught for many years and still is. I have heard it preached from the pulpit in my own church, that Africans were enslaved and are supposed to be, because of Noah's curse. And from what you posted above, evidently, Bro.. Barnes leaned that way.

The reason for black slaves was because of the sins and greediness of man kind.

[JerryNumbers]

Sorry, I apologize, I meant to say you are 100 % wrong on part of it, that makes none of it fit properly.

Ham was included in the curse.

[heartstrings]

Sorry, I apologize, I meant to say you are 100 % wrong on part of it, that makes none of it fit properly.

Ham was included in the curse.

Apology accepted.
Can you show some scripture on that? Because all I read there is "cursed be Canaan..."

[Salyan]

Guess what I found in my devotions on Saturday? In reference to a proof text for the Canaanites being servants rather than simply being exterminated...

1 Kings 9:20-21
[20] And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
[21] Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.


There it is!

[JerryNumbers]

Read the commentaries I posted earlier.

[lettheredeemedsayso]

Guess what I found in my devotions on Saturday? In reference to a proof text for the Canaanites being servants rather than simply being exterminated...

1 Kings 9:20-21
[20] And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
[21] Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.


There it is!

We as saved believers are all servants of Jesus Christ. We must take the above scripture in the context of what the entire Bible teaches.

Phl 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

[heartstrings]

Guess what I found in my devotions on Saturday? In reference to a proof text for the Canaanites being servants rather than simply being exterminated...

1 Kings 9:20-21
[20] And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
[21] Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.


There it is!

What about the rest of the "ites"?

Gen 10:15

[heartstrings]

Read the commentaries I posted earlier.

Barnes commentary does not point out a verse. It does give his opinions though. You have not shown me a single verse which says that Noah cursed Ham or any of his other three sons...only Canaan was cursed. And Africans did not come from Canaan.

[Salyan]

What about the rest of the "ites"?

Gen 10:15

[heartstrings]

[Salyan]

And the Israelites spent about 500 years as slaves in Egypt, then were in bondage to Babylon, Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome.

Umm... okay... just trying to give a Biblical answer to the question that started this posting. Not sure where the Israelites (or anyone else) come into it... :uuhm:

[Jerry]

Guess what I found in my devotions on Saturday? In reference to a proof text for the Canaanites being servants rather than simply being exterminated...

1 Kings 9:20-21
[20] And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
[21] Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.


There it is!

You are right - those are Canaanites - and we see fulfillment of the curse in what happened to these groups of people. Also, the Gibeonites that were made servants/slaves under the leadership of Joshua were also Canaanites.

I don't want to start some big debate, but I was wondering why Barnes refers to Canaan as "Kenaan"? Is that how the name is spelled in the Critical Text or the Revised version produced by Westcott and Hort. If he was using some Hebrew spelling of their name, why not do the same with Shem and Japheth?