The question 'Why Did Noah Curse Canaan' is one which has been answered with different speculations.
Rather than speculate, we will look at the event as it is recorded and get to understand what happened, so as to comprehend.
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
Did Noah Curse Canaan?
It is recorded in the Holy Scriptures that Noah cursed Canaan in the Genesis. Let's quickly read to find out how it happened.
"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
And 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.
And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." (Genesis 9:20-25).
What Led To Noah Cursing Canaan?
At this point, it is worth knowing that Noah had three sons; Shem, Japheth and Ham who was the youngest of them all.
In the genealogy of Noah after the flood, only Ham was mentioned to have fathered Canaan. This point is precisely concerning the book of Genesis chapter 9.
Read This: Did Paul Say That It Was Good Not To Marry?
On the occasion where Noah drank wine, got drunk and uncovered himself, it is recorded that Ham, the father of Canaan saw his father's nakedness.
Instead of possibly getting a garment to cover his father's nakedness, Ham rather went to disclose what he saw to his elder brothers.
Shem and Japheth, having this knowledge, took a garment and covered their father's nakedness without seeing it.
When Noah came to the knowledge that Ham, his youngest son had seen his nakedness, he cursed Canaan.
What Was The Curse Noah Cursed Canaan?
The scripture which gives the account for this event, gives us a description of the curse of Noah on Canaan.
"And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant." (Genesis 9:25-27).
Although many believe that Noah was angry, therefore he laid a severe curse upon Canaan. But thoughtfully studying the incident and Ham's failure, it was appropriate that Noah put Ham under his brothers.
For further understanding, the curse was that Canaan will be a servant to his brothers.
Remember, Ham instead of doing the service of covering his father's nakedness, went to share what he saw with his brothers who did the needful instead.
Therefore, Noah declaring Canaan a servant to his brothers has a moral lesson and it's not a story to be misunderstood.
The question now is this, if Ham was the offender, why did Noah Curse Canaan?
Why Did Noah Curse Canaan?
This is the main bone of contention here. Without taking you farther, I want to answer this question in a simple term.
Note: where it is recorded that Noah cursed Canaan, the declaration was not to an individual but a descendant.
Remember, Ham was the father of Canaan. I looked at that passage to realize that the Canaan there wasn't referring just to a son but the descendant (people or offsprings) of Ham.
In other words, the curse of Noah was that the descendant of Ham will be servant to the descendants of Shem and Japheth.
But there's a problem here. Why did it have to be Ham's descendants instead of Ham himself? Is it that his descendants also played a role in his offense? Some people may think so, but it wasn't recorded so in the scriptures.
This is an important aspect worth thinking about as such was common in the days of old. Noah's response to Ham's action made him to declare judgment on his descendant.
This is basically Noah's proclaiming which in my own opinion is not right in the light of the new testament.
But another commentary has it that it was a prophetic declaration of what was to happen in the future.
Also, a third person believes that Noah decided to curse Canaan instead of Ham because Ham was already blessed by God.
Nevertheless with all these speculations, the scriptural record of the event, gave no specific reasons for Noah cursing Canaan.
Instead of seeing a mention of Ham, we read that Noah cursed Canaan.
Conclusion:
Given the opportunity to give my express contribution in response to the question, I would say it's not worth doing for a Father to curse his descendants for any reasons whatsoever.
To me, the reason for this curse on Canaan instead of Ham is not so much important, though the old testament has the manifestations of it on the Canaanites. That means, it would have been prophetic.
I pray and hope someone understands and finds this explanation useful and helpful. God bless you.
©Joseph Edem Bassey
Read More:
> How To Overcome Fear Of Death
> The Righteousness Of God In Christ
> Bible Verses For Spiritual Growth
Feel free to use the share buttons below and comment to bless a soul. Remain blessed.