Definition: And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 9:22. It's a pretty interesting and slightly unsettling passage about a man named Ham. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a moment of shame and regret for Ham, one of the sons of Adam. It highlights a problem he had with his father, Noah, and how he felt about it. Here's a breakdown: “And Ham, the father of Canaan…” – This refers to Ham, who was a son of Noah. He’s the ancestor of the people of Canaan (which is what we now know as Israel). “…saw the nakedness of his father…” – This means Ham saw his father, Noah, in a vulnerable or shameful state. It wasn't just a simple observation; it was a moment where he recognized something wasn’t right with him. “and told his two brethren without.” – This is the key part. He confided this to his two brothers, Shem and Hamzir (the exact name isn’t given in the text). What does it mean? The verse suggests that Ham felt deeply ashamed of his father's behavior. It implies a conflict or perhaps a deep-seated issue where he felt like he needed to share this with his brothers, likely as a way to express his own remorse. Important Context (and why it’s a bit complex): The Flood: This story happens right after the great flood in Genesis. It's a pivotal moment of repentance and judgment. The Promise: The Bible says that Noah, God's obedient son, was instructed to never flood the earth again, meaning he had to be careful with his sons. Overall Significance: This verse is a little mysterious because it hints at a potential problem in Ham’s character – a feeling of guilt or shame related to his father's actions. It's a moment where we glimpse into the beginnings of a story of repentance and responsibility. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI assistant and this explanation is based on the text itself. Biblical interpretation can be complex, and there are different perspectives on what it means. Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the broader significance of this story in the Bible?