Genesis 9:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then he said, “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Shem; Kena‘an will be their servant.

Berean Standard Bible:

He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559}, Blessed^{H1288} be the LORD^{H3068} God^{H430} of Shem^{H8035}; and Canaan^{H3667} shall be^{H1961} his servant^{H5650}.

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Commentary for Genesis 9:26

Genesis 9:26 is part of the narrative following the Flood in the Bible, where Noah plants a vineyard, becomes drunk, and is seen uncovered by his son Ham. Noah's other sons, Shem and Japheth, cover their father's nakedness without looking upon him. When Noah awakens and learns what has transpired, he pronounces a series of blessings and curses.

In verse 26, Noah blesses the Lord, specifically invoking the God of his son Shem. This blessing is significant as it suggests a unique spiritual relationship between Shem and God, which may foreshadow the special role that Shem's descendants, particularly Abraham and the Israelites, will play in the biblical narrative as the chosen people of God.

The latter part of the verse, "and Canaan shall be his servant," is a prophetic declaration that Canaan, the son of Ham, will be subservient to Shem's descendants. This is a historical curse that has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often used to justify the subjugation of the Canaanites by the Israelites. The Canaanites were an ancient people who inhabited the land that would later become known as the Promised Land, the land of Canaan, which the Israelites were to inherit according to biblical accounts.

The themes present in this verse include the establishment of familial and national hierarchies, the concept of divine blessing and curse, and the special covenantal relationship between God and the line of Shem, which will eventually lead to the nation of Israel. The verse also touches on the idea of generational consequences, where the actions of one individual, Ham, have lasting effects on his descendants, particularly Canaan. This reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern perspective where familial loyalty and honor were paramount, and actions taken by one member could impact the entire family line.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8035
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: Shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: the same as שֵׁם; name; Shem, a son of Noah (often includ. his posterity); Sem, Shem.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3667
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּנַעַן
   Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻan
   Pronunciation: ken-ah'-an
   Description: from כָּנַע; humiliated; Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him; Canaan, merchant, traffick.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1961
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָיָה
   Transliteration: hâyâh
   Pronunciation: haw-yaw
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָוָא); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary); beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.