Genesis 9:27

Shem’s Blessing and Noah’s Death · Genesis 9:26–29
Read Genesis 9

Translations

Modern
May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”
Traditional
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Literal
May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be a servant to them.”
Latin
Dilatet Deus Japheth, et habitet in tabernaculis Sem, sitque Chanaan servus ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”

Notes

may he dwell in the tents of Shem: Japheth’s descendants would live among Shem’s descendants and share Shem’s prosperity (compare Romans 11:17–18).

The story of Noah begins with him walking in righteousness and obeying the Lord (6:9). It ends with him drunk and naked in his tent, cursing Canaan. Even after the great flood, people still showed sinful behaviors that led to the flood.

The text emphasizes the cursed origin of the Canaanites, a corrupt and idol-worshiping group. Israel would later remove them from the promised land (see also 15:16 and study note; Leviticus 18:3; 20:23).

Events

People

Canaan: Son of Ham; father of Sidon and Heth Japheth: Son of Noah, ancestor of Indo-European peoples Shem: Noah's son, ancestor of Semitic peoples

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Genesis, Book of Japheth Land Mesopotamia Noah Patriarchs, Period of the Shekinah Shem Shinar The Flood

Topics

Canaanites: Prophecy Concerning Curse: Denounced: Against Canaan, Noah's Son Ham: Son of Noah: Provokes his Father's Wrath and is Cursed by Him Japheth: Prudence of, on the Occasion of Noah's Drunkenness Noah: Son of Lamech: His Blessing Upon Shem and Japheth Noah: Son of Lamech: Intoxication of, and his Curse Upon Canaan Parents: Paternal Blessings of Noah Prophets: Noah Shem: His Filial Conduct