### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Châm**, represented by `{{H2526}}`, refers to one of the **sons** `{{H1121}}` of **Noah** `{{H5146}}`. It appears 16 times in 15 verses. The name is defined as "hot," a possible reference to the tropical habitat of his descendants. The term is used to identify both the individual son of Noah and, as a patronymic, the country and descendants of his lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2526}}` is central to the account following the great **flood** `{{H3999}}`. Ham is consistently identified as one of the three **sons** `{{H1121}}` of **Noah** `{{H5146}}` who survived aboard the **ark** `{{H8392}}` [[Genesis 7:13]]. A pivotal event occurs when Ham **saw** `{{H7200}}` the **nakedness** `{{H6172}}` of his **father** `{{H1}}`, an act that precedes a prophetic declaration regarding his son Canaan [[Genesis 9:22]]. The name also functions as a label for a geographical region; the Psalms refer to the "land of Ham" as the place where God performed **wondrous works** `{{H6381}}` and smote the **firstborn** `{{H1060}}` of **Egypt** `{{H4714}}` ([[Psalms 78:51]], [[Psalms 106:22]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words establish Ham's context within the biblical lineage:
* `{{H5146}}` **Nôach** (rest; Noach, the patriarch of the flood): As Ham's **father** `{{H1}}`, Noah is the head of the family that repopulates the **earth** `{{H776}}` after the **flood** `{{H3999}}` [[Genesis 6:10]].
* `{{H8035}}` **Shêm** (name; Shem, a son of Noah): One of Ham's two **brethren** `{{H251}}`. The three brothers—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—are the progenitors of all the **families** `{{H4940}}` of the earth after the flood [[Genesis 10:1]].
* `{{H3315}}` **Yepheth** (expansion; Jepheth, a son of Noah): Ham’s other brother, who, along with Shem, acted to cover their father’s nakedness [[Genesis 9:23]].
* `{{H4714}}` **Mitsrayim** (Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim): Listed as a **son** `{{H1121}}` of Ham, his name becomes synonymous with Egypt [[Genesis 10:6]]. This connection reinforces the use of "land of Ham" to refer to Egypt [[Psalms 105:23]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2526}}` is established through its foundational role in post-flood history.
* **Foundation of Nations:** Ham is the progenitor of several significant peoples, including **Cush** `{{H3568}}`, **Mizraim** `{{H4714}}` (Egypt), and Canaan [[Genesis 10:6]]. The table of **nations** `{{H1471}}` descending from him establishes a framework for the subsequent history of Israel's relationship with its neighbors [[Genesis 10:20]].
* **Theater of Divine Judgment:** The "land of Ham" serves as the backdrop for one of Israel's most important stories. It is the place where God **smote** `{{H5221}}` the **firstborn** `{{H1060}}` and displayed his **signs** `{{H226}}` to deliver His people, demonstrating His power over other nations ([[Psalms 78:51]], [[Psalms 105:27]]).
* **Origin of Conflict:** The narrative where Ham witnesses his father's **nakedness** `{{H6172}}` leads to a curse on his son, Canaan [[Genesis 9:22]]. This event introduces a theme of servitude that frames the future relationship between the descendants of Canaan and those of his uncles, Shem and Japheth.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2526}}` **Châm** represents a major branch of humanity in the biblical record. As one of Noah's **three** `{{H7969}}` **sons** `{{H1121}}`, he is a crucial link in the **generations** `{{H8435}}` following the **flood** `{{H3999}}`. His name becomes patronymic, referring primarily to the **land** `{{H776}}` of Egypt, a nation of central importance to Israel's history. The story of Ham provides a basis for the origins of various peoples and establishes narrative themes of divine power and human conflict that unfold throughout scripture.
TRV