Why Was Canaan Cursed Instead of Ham?
After Noah uncovered himself in his drunken state, Ham saw his father and told his two brothers. And Ham the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his brothers outside. But Shem and Japeth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness (Genesis 9:22,23). Ham looked upon his father’s nakedness but Shem and Japeth did not. Instead they covered it. Noah awoke from his drunkenness, realized what Ham had done and then proceeded to curse Canaan. Then he said: Cursed be Canaan a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren. And he said: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japeth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem and may Canaan by his servant (Genesis 9:25-27). Several questions arise. Why did Noah curse Canaan? Was not Ham the one that committed the sin? Furthermore, what wa
