Exposition of Genesis 1-11 The Flood Part VII Gen 9:18-29

The Chiasm of the Flood Account a Genealogical note: Noah & his three sons 6:9-10 b God sees that all the earth is ruined 6:11-12 c God’s instructions to Noah 6:13-22 d They enter the ark 7:1-9 e Flood begins, ark is closed 7:10-16 f Waters rise 7:17-20 CLIMAX: All life on land dies; God remembers Noah and those with him 7:21-8:1a f’ Waters recede 8:1b-5 e’ Flood ends, ark’s window is opened 8:6-14 d’ They exit the ark 8:15-22 c’ God’s instructions to Noah 9:1-7 b’ God promises to never again ruin the earth 9:8-17 a’ Genealogical note: Noah & his three sons 9:18-19 The Story of Noah’s Intoxication & His Death 9:20-29

The Sons of Noah Gen 9:18 – 11:9 The listing of Noah’s sons who exited the ark (9:18-19) –From these three will come all the peoples of the earth. The story of Noah’s intoxication (9:20-27) –This story serves to reveal the character and destiny of the three sons and their descendants. A concluding passage on Noah’s death (9:28- 29) The history (toledoth) of Noah’s descendants (10:1-32) The scattering at the Tower of Babel (11:1-9) –This event happened chronologically before the listing in chapter 10.

Noah & His Three Sons Gen 9:18-19 These verses remind us of those who were on the ark and survived the flood. Noah’s three sons, and them only, will become the progenitors of the entire human race. At the time that they exit the ark, Canaan has not yet been born. Yet Ham here is described as “the father of Canaan.” Why? –The mention here sets the reader up for the story of Noah’s intoxication that follows and the curse on Canaan that comes out of it. It also helps explain to the original audience (e.g. Israel) why the Canaanites are their enemies. (They will subsequently drive them out of the land, by God’s command).

The Story of Noah’s Intoxication Gen 9:20-27 Gen 9:20 describes Noah as hm'd"a]h' vyai : –Man of the ground, i.e., farmer. Yet the word for “tiller” is not used here, as it was for Cain in 4:2. –Man (i.e. master) of the earth. Noah was the head of the only family that survived the flood. The story takes place years after the flood. Noah planted a vineyard, became drunk from the fruit of the vine, and uncovered himself in his tent.

The Story of Noah’s Intoxication Gen 9:20-27 Ham, again identified as the father of Canaan, “saw the nakedness of his father” and “told his brothers.” –There is much disagreement about what actually took place. –The account implies sin on the part of Ham in the way he looked upon his father, dishonoring him and then later telling his brothers about it. By contrast, Shem and Japheth showed proper respect and carefully covered their father, being careful to avoid seeing his nakedness. –It may be that Ham even brought out the garment to his brothers.

The Story of Noah’s Intoxication Gen 9:20-27 When Noah awoke from his sleep, he somehow knew (we are not told how) what his youngest son had done to him. This elicits a petition to God by Noah concerning all three of his sons: –A curse on Canaan as the descendants of Ham (Canaanites), that they would be the lowest of servants to their brothers, which make up the other nations. –A blessing to Yahweh, the God of Shem...and a reiteration of Canaan serving Shem’s descendants. –A blessing of Japheth, that he may be enlarged (made successful) and dwell in peace in the tents of Shem, i.e., enjoy friendly relations with him...and a third repetition of Canaan as servant of Japheth.

The Record of Noah’s Death Gen 9:28-29 These verses conclude the story of Noah, the key figure in the flood narrative. –The dividing line in Noah’s life is not, as in the genealogy in Gen 5, the birth of his firstborn, but is instead the flood. –He lived a total of nine hundred and fifty years, then died. The chapters that follow will deal with Noah’s sons and their descendants.

Next Week: The Toledoth of Noah’s Sons Gen 10:1-32