King James Version
Genesis 9
29 verses with commentary
God's Covenant with Noah
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the ...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**IX.**
(1) **God blessed Noah.**—The blessing bestowed upon Noah, the second father of mankind, is exactly parallel to that given to our first father in Genesis 1:28-29; Genesis 2:16-17, with a significant addition growing out of the history of the past. There is the same command to fill the world with human life, and the same promise that the fear of man shall rest upon the whole animated creati...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. he ... sent forth the dove: which returned not ... any more--**In these results, we perceive a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinct--we discern the agency of God guiding all the movements of this bird for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household.
**other seven days--**a strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his res...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
God blesses Noah, and grants flesh for food.(1-3)
Blood, and murder forbidden.(4-7)
God's covenant by the rainbow.(8-17)
Noah plants a vineyard, is drunken and mocked by Ham.(18-23)
Noah curses Canaan, blesses Shem, prays for Japheth, His death.(24-29)
**Verses 1-3**
The blessing of God is the cause of our doing well. On him we depend, to him...
Read full commentary →And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. Noah removed the covering of the ark--**probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode till he had received the express permission of God. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
God blesses Noah, and grants flesh for food.(1-3)
Blood, and murder forbidden.(4-7)
God's covenant by the rainbow.(8-17)
Noah plants a vineyard, is drunken and mocked by Ham.(18-23)
Noah curses Canaan, blesses Shem, prays for Japheth, His death.(24-29)
**Verses 1-3**
The blessing of God is the cause of our doing well. On him we depend, to him...
Read full commentary →Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all th...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. Noah removed the covering of the ark--**probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode till he had received the express permission of God. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
God blesses Noah, and grants flesh for food.(1-3)
Blood, and murder forbidden.(4-7)
God's covenant by the rainbow.(8-17)
Noah plants a vineyard, is drunken and mocked by Ham.(18-23)
Noah curses Canaan, blesses Shem, prays for Japheth, His death.(24-29)
**Verses 1-3**
The blessing of God is the cause of our doing well. On him we depend, to him...
Read full commentary →But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **But flesh. . . . —**The words are remarkable. “Only flesh in its soul, its blood, ye shall not eat.” The Authorised Version is probably right in taking *blood *as in apposition to *soul, *which word means here the principle of animation, or that which causes an animal to live. This is God’s especial gift; for He alone can bestow upon that aggregation of solids and fluids which we call a body...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 8:15-22. Departure from the Ark.
**15-16. And God spake ... Go forth--**They went forth in the most orderly manner--the human occupants first, then each species "after their kinds" [Ge 8:19], literally, "according to their families," implying that there had been an increase in the ark.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-7**
The main reason of forbidding the eating of blood, doubtless was because the shedding of blood in sacrifices was to keep the worshippers in mind of the great atonement; yet it seems intended also to check cruelty, lest men, being used to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling to them, and be less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood. Man must not t...
Read full commentary →And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, an...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Your blood of your lives. . . . —**This verse should be translated: “And surely your blood, *which is *for your souls, will I require (*i.e., *avenge); from every beast will I require it, and from man: even from a man’s brother will I require the soul of man,” as from Cain. “Your blood, which is for your souls,” means that it is the means for the maintenance of the animal life within them. A...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 8:15-22. Departure from the Ark.
**15-16. And God spake ... Go forth--**They went forth in the most orderly manner--the human occupants first, then each species "after their kinds" [Ge 8:19], literally, "according to their families," implying that there had been an increase in the ark.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-7**
The main reason of forbidding the eating of blood, doubtless was because the shedding of blood in sacrifices was to keep the worshippers in mind of the great atonement; yet it seems intended also to check cruelty, lest men, being used to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling to them, and be less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood. Man must not t...
Read full commentary →Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **By man . . . —**This penalty of life for life is not to be left to natural law, but man himself, in such a manner and under such safeguards as the civil law in each country shall order, is to execute the Divine command. And thus protected from violence, both of man and beast, and with all such terrible crimes for bidden as had polluted Adam’s beginning, Noah in peace and security is to comme...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-7**
The main reason of forbidding the eating of blood, doubtless was because the shedding of blood in sacrifices was to keep the worshippers in mind of the great atonement; yet it seems intended also to check cruelty, lest men, being used to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling to them, and be less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood. Man must not t...
Read full commentary →And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-7**
The main reason of forbidding the eating of blood, doubtless was because the shedding of blood in sacrifices was to keep the worshippers in mind of the great atonement; yet it seems intended also to check cruelty, lest men, being used to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling to them, and be less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood. Man must not t...
Read full commentary →And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the preservation of a ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **I, behold, I establish my covenant . . .** The covenant between God and man is thus solemnly introduced as Elohim’s personal act. No covenant is mentioned as existing between Elohim and the antediluvian world; but distinctly now there is a step onward in all respects, and man, in the renovated earth after the flood, is brought nearer to God by being admitted into covenant with Him. And not o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. Noah builded an altar--**literally, "a high place"--probably a mound of earth, on which a sacrifice was offered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced.
**took of every clean beast ... fowl--**For so unparalleled a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of t...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour--**The sacrifice offered by a righteous man like Noah in faith was acceptable as the most fragrant incense.
**Lord said in his heart--**same as "I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth" (Is 54:9).
**for--**that is, "though the imagination is evil"; instead of inflicting another destructive flood, I shall spare them--to enj...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. While the earth remaineth--**The consummation, as intimated in 2Pe 3:7, does not frustrate a promise which held good only during the continuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up [Chalmers].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living cre...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **This is the token of the covenant.**—The word rendered “token” really means *sign, *and is a term that has met with very unfortunate treatment in our Version, especially in the New Testament, where—as, for instance, in St. John’s Gospel—it is too frequently translated *miracle. *Its meaning will be best seen by examining some of the places where it occurs: *e.g., *Genesis 17:11; Exodus 3:12...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 9 Ge 9:1-7. Covenant.
**1. And God blessed Noah--**Here is republished the law of nature that was announced to Adam, consisting as it originally did of several parts.
**Be fruitful, &c.--**The first part relates to the transmission of life, the original blessing being reannounced in the very same words in which it had been promised at first [Ge 1:28].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cl...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. And the fear of you and the dread of you--**The second part re-establishes man's dominion over the inferior animals; it was now founded not as at first in love and kindness, but in terror; this dread of man prevails among all the stronger as well as the weaker members of the animal tribes and keeps away from his haunts all but those employed in his service.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh;...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you--**The third part concerns the means of sustaining life; man was for the first time, it would seem, allowed the use of animal food, but the grant was accompanied with one restriction.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting cove...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. But flesh ... the blood ... shall ye not eat--**The sole intention of this prohibition was to prevent these excesses of cannibal ferocity in eating flesh of living animals, to which men in the earlier ages of the world were liable.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and a...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. surely your blood of your lives will I require--**The fourth part establishes a new power for protecting life--the institution of the civil magistrate (Ro 13:4), armed with public and official authority to repress the commission of violence and crime. Such a power had not previously existed in patriarchal society.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
As the old world was ruined, to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to this day a monument of mercy. But sin, that drowned the old world, will burn this. Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction. The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, ...
Read full commentary →Noah's Descendants
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. Canaan: Heb. Chenaan
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the fa...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(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...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood ... for in the image of God made he man--**It is true that image has been injured by the fall, but it is not lost. In this view, a high value is attached to the life of every man, even the poorest and humblest, and an awful criminality is involved in the destruction of it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →And Noah began to be an husbandman , and he planted a vineyard:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the preservation o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20, 21) **Noah began to be an husbandman.**—Rather, *Noah, being a husbandman *(Heb., *a man of the adâmâh*)*, began to plant a vineyard. *Noah had always been a husbandman: it was the cultivation of the vine, still abundant in Armenia, that was new. Scarcely aware, perhaps, of the intoxicating qualities of the juice which he had allowed to ferment, he drank to excess, and became the first exampl...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **He was uncovered** is, literally, *he uncovered himself. *It was no accident, but a wilful breach of modesty.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, Go...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22, 23) **Ham **. . . **saw **. . . **and told.**—The sin lay not in seeing, which might be unintentional, but in telling, especially if his purpose was to ridicule his father. His brothers, with filial piety, “take a garment,” the loose outer robe or cloak enveloping the whole body, and with reverent delicacy walk backwards, and lay it upon their father’s person.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and c...</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-23**
The drunkenness of Noah is recorded in the Bible, with that fairness which is found only in the Scripture, as a case and proof of human weakness and imperfection, even though he may have been surprised into the sin; and to show that the best of men cannot stand upright, unless they depend upon Divine grace, and are upheld thereby. Ham appears to have been a bad man, and probab...
Read full commentary →And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Noah . . . knew what his younger son had done unto him.**—Heb., *his son, the little one. *This can only mean his youngest son. So it is applied to Benjamin in Genesis 42:34; Genesis 43:29, and to David in 1Samuel 16:11, where the words literally are, *there re- maineth yet the little one. *Now Ham was not the youngest son, but Japheth; and it is not Ham who is cursed, but Canaan. So far fr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **Cursed be Canaan.**—The prophecy of Noah takes the form of a poem, like Lamech’s boast in Genesis 4. In it Ham is passed over in silence, as though his unfilial conduct, recorded in Genesis 9:22, made him unworthy of a blessing, while it was not so wicked as to bring on him a curse. The whole weight of Noah’s displeasure falls on Canaan, whose degraded position among the nations is thrice i...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 9:8-29. Rainbow.
**13. I do set my bow in the cloud--**set, that is, constitute or appoint. This common and familiar phenomenon being made the pledge of peace, its appearance when showers began to fall would be welcomed with the liveliest feelings of joy.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. his servant: or, servant to them
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Blessed be Jehovah.**—The greatness of Shem’s blessing is shown by its taking the form of a hymn of praise to Jehovah, the personal God; and the patriarch’s fervent outburst of thanksgiving was a presage of the hallelujahs that were to arise unto God from all mankind for the birth of that son of Shem in whom all nations were to be blessed. The following words should be translated, *And let ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. enlarge: or, persuade
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **God shall enlarge Japheth.**—First, the Deity is here *Elohim, *following upon *Jehovah *in the preceding verse, and that with extraordinary exactness. Jehovah has never been the special name of the Deity worshipped by the race of Japheth, though doubtless it is the Greek *Zeus *and the Latin *Jove. *But it soon became the proper title of God in covenant with the race of Shem. It is plainly...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the preservation of...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died....</strong> This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the pres...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **All the days of Noah.**—While Noah attained to the same age as the antediluvian patriarchs, 950 years, human life was fast diminishing. The whole life-time of Shem was 600 years; that of Peleg, a few generations afterwards, only 239. After him only one man, Terah, is described as living more than 200 years, and of his age there is great doubt. (See Note on Genesis 11:32.) Thus before Shem’s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 24-29**
Noah declares a curse on Canaan, the son of Ham; perhaps this grandson of his was more guilty than the rest. A servant of servants, that is, The meanest and most despicable servant, shall he be, even to his brethren. This certainly points at the victories in after-times obtained by Israel over the Canaanites, by which they were put to the sword, or brought to pay tribute. The ...
Read full commentary →