Genesis 9:18
Genesis 9:18 in Multiple Translations
The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan.
¶ And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noah, that went forth from the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham is the father of Canaan.
Noah's sons who left the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of the Canaanites.)
Nowe the sonnes of Noah going foorth of the Arke, were Shem and Ham and Iapheth. And Ham is the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noah who are going out of the ark are Shem, and Ham, and Japheth; and Ham is father of Canaan.
The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noah that went forth from the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham was the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noe who came out of the ark, were Sem, Cham, and Japheth: and Cham is the father of Chanaan.
The sons of Noah who came out of the boat were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham later became the father of Canaan.
Noah had 3 sons. Their names were Shem, and Ham, and Jafeth. They were on the boat with Noah, and after they got off the boat, they had their own sons and daughters. One of Ham’s sons was called Canaan, and there were lots of other sons and daughters too. And later, all those kids had more kids, and it kept going like that. All the people in the world are from Noah’s family.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 9:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 9:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּֽהְי֣וּ
בְנֵי
נֹ֗חַ
הַ/יֹּֽצְאִים֙
מִן
הַ/תֵּבָ֔ה
שֵׁ֖ם
וְ/חָ֣ם
וָ/יָ֑פֶת
וְ/חָ֕ם
ה֖וּא
אֲבִ֥י
כְנָֽעַן
וַ/יִּֽהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
נֹ֗חַ
Nôach
H5146
Noah
N-proper
הַ/יֹּֽצְאִים֙
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Art | V-Qal
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/תֵּבָ֔ה
têbâh
H8392
ark
Art | N-fs
שֵׁ֖ם
Shêm
H8035
Shem
N-proper
וְ/חָ֣ם
Châm
H2526
Ham
Conj | N-proper
וָ/יָ֑פֶת
Yepheth
H3315
Japheth
Conj | N-proper
וְ/חָ֕ם
Châm
H2526
Ham
Conj | N-proper
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
אֲבִ֥י
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms
כְנָֽעַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
Canaan
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 9:18
וַ/יִּֽהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: 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. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
נֹ֗חַ
Nôach
H5146
"Noah"
N-proper
Noah, the patriarch who built the ark to save his family and two of every kind of animal from the flood, is the namesake of this Hebrew word. He is first mentioned in Genesis 5:29 as the son of Lamech. His story is a crucial part of biblical history.
Definition: A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.29; son of: Lamech (H3929H); father of: Shem (H8035), Ham (H2526) and Japheth (H3315) Also named: Nōe (Νῶε "Noah" G3575) § Noah = "rest" son of Lamech, father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth; builder of the ark which saved his family from the destruction of the world which God sent on the world by the flood; became the new seminal head of mankind because his family were the only survivors of the flood
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Noah. See also: Genesis 5:29; Genesis 8:11; Isaiah 54:9.
הַ/יֹּֽצְאִים֙
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Art | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/תֵּבָ֔ה
têbâh
H8392
"ark"
Art | N-fs
The word tebáh means ark, like the vessel Noah built or the basket that held Moses as a baby. It is often translated as ark in the Bible.
Definition: 1) ark 1a) vessel which Noah built 1b) basket vessel in which Moses was placed
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: ark. See also: Genesis 6:14; Genesis 7:23; Exodus 2:5.
שֵׁ֖ם
Shêm
H8035
"Shem"
N-proper
Shem was Noah's eldest son, mentioned in Genesis 5:32, and the ancestor of many Semitic tribes. He had several sons, including Asshur and Aram, and is an important figure in biblical genealogy. Shem's story is part of the early history of humanity.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.5.32; son of: Noah (H5146); brother of: Ham (H2526) and Japheth (H3315); father of: Asshur (H0804H), Elam (H5867C), Arpachshad (H0775), Lud (H3865) and Aram (H0758) Also named: Sēm (Σήμ "Shem" G4590) § Shem = "name" the eldest son of Noah and progenitor of the Semitic tribes
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Sem, Shem. See also: Genesis 5:32; Genesis 10:21; 1 Chronicles 1:24.
וְ/חָ֣ם
Châm
H2526
"Ham"
Conj | N-proper
Ham was a son of Noah and the name also refers to his descendants or their country, often associated with hot southern lands. This term appears in Genesis 5:32 and 9:18. Ham's story is significant in biblical history.
Definition: § Ham = "hot" southern lands continaing the descendants of Ham
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Ham. See also: Genesis 5:32; Genesis 10:20; Psalms 78:51.
וָ/יָ֑פֶת
Yepheth
H3315
"Japheth"
Conj | N-proper
Japheth was a son of Noah and the ancestor of many nations, including those living in the Mediterranean region. His name means 'opened' and he's mentioned in Genesis as one of Noah's three sons. Japheth's descendants spread out after the flood.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.5.32; son of: Noah (H5146); brother of: Shem (H8035) and Ham (H2526); father of: Gomer (H1586), Magog (H4031), Madai (H4074), Javan (H3120), Tubal (H8422), Meshech (H4902) and Tiras (H8494) § Japheth = "opened" the 3rd son of Noah whose descendants after the flood settled on the coastal lands of the Mediterranean spreading north into Europe and parts of Asia
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Japheth. See also: Genesis 5:32; Genesis 9:27; 1 Chronicles 1:5.
וְ/חָ֕ם
Châm
H2526
"Ham"
Conj | N-proper
Ham was a son of Noah and the name also refers to his descendants or their country, often associated with hot southern lands. This term appears in Genesis 5:32 and 9:18. Ham's story is significant in biblical history.
Definition: § Ham = "hot" southern lands continaing the descendants of Ham
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Ham. See also: Genesis 5:32; Genesis 10:20; Psalms 78:51.
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
אֲבִ֥י
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
כְנָֽעַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
"Canaan"
N-proper
Canaan was a son of Ham and the name of the country where he lived, which is now modern-day Israel. The Canaanites were known for being merchants and traders, as seen in Genesis and other books.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.9.18; son of: Ham (H2526); brother of: Cush (H3568), Egypt (H4714) and Put (H6316); father of: Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § merchant, trader
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: Canaan, merchant, traffick. See also: Genesis 9:18; Exodus 6:4; Psalms 105:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 9:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 9:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 9:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 9:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 9:18
- Barnes' Notes on Genesis 9:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
- Sermons on Genesis 9:18
Context — Noah’s Shame and Canaan’s Curse
16And whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is on the earth.”
17So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and every creature on the earth.”
18The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan.
19These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated. 20Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 10:1 | This is the account of Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who also had sons after the flood. |
| 2 | Genesis 10:6 | The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. |
| 3 | Genesis 9:25–27 | he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem. May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.” |
| 4 | Genesis 9:23 | Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 1:4 | The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. |
Genesis 9:18 Summary
This verse, Genesis 9:18, tells us about the sons of Noah who came out of the ark after the flood, and it's a new beginning for humanity. The sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, will have children and grandchildren who will populate the earth, as mentioned in Genesis 9:19. Just like Noah and his family, we can be part of God's new beginning when we put our faith in Him, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17. By following God's plan and promises, as seen in Genesis 9:16-17, we can experience a new start and be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of naming the sons of Noah in this verse?
The naming of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, is significant because they represent the new beginning of humanity after the flood, as seen in Genesis 9:18, and their descendants will be crucial in the story of God's redemption, as mentioned in Genesis 10:1-32.
Why is Ham's son Canaan mentioned specifically in this verse?
Canaan is mentioned as the son of Ham in Genesis 9:18, and this is important because it sets the stage for the future interactions between the Israelites and the Canaanites, as seen in the book of Joshua and other parts of the Bible, such as Leviticus 18:3 and Deuteronomy 7:1.
How does this verse relate to the covenant God made with Noah in the previous verses?
This verse, Genesis 9:18, serves as a transition from the covenant God made with Noah, as seen in Genesis 9:16-17, to the new beginning of humanity, emphasizing that God's covenant is not just with Noah, but with his descendants as well, as mentioned in Genesis 9:9-10.
What can we learn about family and lineage from this verse?
From Genesis 9:18, we can learn the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative, as the descendants of Noah's sons will shape the course of human history, and we see this theme continued in other parts of the Bible, such as in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:23-38.
Reflection Questions
- How does the naming of the sons of Noah in this verse remind me of God's plan for humanity, and what does this mean for my own life and family?
- In what ways can I, like Noah and his sons, be a part of God's new beginning in my own community and world?
- What does the mention of Canaan as Ham's son reveal about the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our actions, and how can I apply this to my own relationships?
- How does this verse encourage me to think about my own role in the larger story of God's redemption, as seen in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation?
- What does the transition from the covenant with Noah to the story of his sons teach me about God's faithfulness and promises to His people, as seen in Genesis 9:16-17 and other parts of the Bible?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 9:18
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth,.... These were born before the flood, and went into the ark with Noah, and came out with him; see Genesis 5:32 and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 9:18
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. The sons of Noah ... were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth . And Ham (is) the father of Canaan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
2347 Which is here mentioned to make way for the following relation.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
Genesis 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham [is] the father of Canaan.Ver. 18. Ham is the father of Canaan.] Who was cursed together with his father (and why, see Genesis 9:25), and became the progenitor of those cursed Canaanites, cast out by the Israelites.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
(18) Ham is the father of Canaan.—Though human life had thus begun again upon a firmer footing, yet evil and discord were soon to reappear, though in a milder form. No brother sheds a brother’s blood, but in the next generation sin breaks forth afresh, and the human family is disunited thereby, the descendants of Canaan taking the place of the Cainites—without indeed, their striking gifts, but nevertheless as a race foremost in trade and commerce. After enumerating the three sons of Noah, we are told: “Of ‘—more correctly, from—“them was the whole earth overspread,” that is, peopled.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 9:18
18–27. Noah, as the Vine-dresser, and his three Sons. (J.) In this section the narrative, which begins at Genesis 9:20, is introduced by the two connecting Genesis 9:18-19, which either conclude J’s account of the Flood, or are an editorial insertion by the compiler. (a) 18, 19 Noah and his family leave the ark: (b) 20–24 Noah plants a vineyard, drinks wine, becomes intoxicated, is observed and ridiculed by Ham, but Shem and Japheth shew respect: (c) 25–27 the curse of Noah on Canaan, the blessing on Shem and Japheth.
Barnes' Notes on Genesis 9:18
- XXX. The Prophecy of Noah 18. כנען kena‛an, “Kena‘an, bowed down.” 19. נפץ nāpats, “break, scatter, spread.” פוּץ pûts, “break, scatter, flow.” 20. כרם kerem, “orchard, vineyard.” 21.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 9:18
18. Sons of Noah — Japheth was the eldest and Ham the youngest. See note on Genesis 5:32.
Sermons on Genesis 9:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 9:18-29 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the aftermath of the flood and the descendants of Noah. He emphasizes that the idea that the curse of Ham is upon the dark races is absurd and |
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God of the Nations - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's rule over his creation throughout redemption history. He refers to biblical events such as the flood an |
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(Genesis) 19 - the Prophecy of Noah and the Race Question by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the parallels between the stories of Adam, Noah, and Canaan in relation to the fall of humanity and the promise of salvation. The prophecy is |
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The Records of Jesus' Ancestors Matthew 1:1-17 Luke 3:23-38 by David Servant | David Servant preaches about the significance of the two lists of Jesus' ancestors in Matthew and Luke, explaining the differences in ancestry through Joseph and Mary, tracing back |
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A Biblical Family - a Tool in God's Hands (Part 1) by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of parents sharing their personal stories of faith with their children. He encourages parents to start with their own testimo |
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(Genesis) Genesis 10:1-6 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three-fold division of the human family as revealed in the sons of Noah: Ham, Shem, and Japheth. The speaker mentions a chart made by an e |
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(Genesis) Genesis 10:8-32 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying the story of the flood in the Bible. He suggests that this chapter provides a rich study of the human family and o |