The term "Hamites" refers to the descendants of Ham, one of the three sons of Noah, as outlined in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10. According to the biblical account, Ham's descendants settled in various regions, primarily in Africa and parts of the Near East. The Bible provides a genealogical record of Ham's lineage, which includes several notable figures and nations.

Biblical Genealogy and Nations

Ham had four sons: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan (Genesis 10:6). Each of these sons became the progenitors of various peoples and nations:

1. Cush: Often associated with the region of Ethiopia or Nubia, Cush is considered the ancestor of the Cushites. The Bible mentions Cush in several contexts, including the mighty hunter Nimrod, who is described as "a mighty hunter before the LORD" (Genesis 10:9). Nimrod's kingdom included Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar.

2. Mizraim: This name is commonly identified with Egypt. The descendants of Mizraim are believed to have established the ancient Egyptian civilization. The Bible frequently refers to Egypt as "Mizraim" in the Hebrew text, highlighting its significance in biblical history.

3. Put: The descendants of Put are traditionally associated with the region of Libya in North Africa. Although the Bible provides limited information about Put, it is mentioned in prophetic texts concerning judgment against nations (Ezekiel 30:5).

4. Canaan: The Canaanites, descendants of Canaan, settled in the land that would later become known as the Promised Land. The Bible lists several Canaanite tribes, including the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and others (Genesis 10:15-18). The Canaanites are frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's conquest of the land under Joshua.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Hamites played a significant role in the ancient Near East and Africa. The civilizations that arose from Ham's descendants, particularly Egypt and Canaan, were influential in the biblical narrative. Egypt, for instance, was a place of refuge for Abraham and later became the land of bondage for the Israelites before the Exodus. The Canaanites, on the other hand, were often in conflict with the Israelites as they settled in the Promised Land.

The Curse of Canaan

A notable event involving Ham is the incident of Noah's drunkenness, recorded in Genesis 9:20-27. Ham saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers, Shem and Japheth, who then covered their father. When Noah awoke and learned what had happened, he pronounced a curse, not on Ham, but on Canaan, Ham's son: "Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers" (Genesis 9:25). This curse has been the subject of much interpretation and discussion throughout history.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the account of the Hamites underscores the diversity of nations and peoples that emerged after the Flood. It also highlights the sovereignty of God in the distribution of nations and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history. The interactions between the descendants of Ham and the Israelites serve as a backdrop for many biblical events, illustrating themes of judgment, redemption, and the fulfillment of God's promises.2526. Cham -- a son of Noah, also his desc., also a name for ...
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a son of Noah, also his desc., also
a name for Egyptians NASB Word Usage Ham (15), Hamites* (1). Ham. ...
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4480. min -- from
... 1), distance* (3), doing* (2), due (4), either (2), ever (1), exclusive (1), facing
(2), far* (2), forever* (3), forsaking* (2), gone (2), Hamites* (1), help ...
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Chapter xxiv
... Abraham's purpose, however, in abhorring such a union will not only have been a
desire to perpetuate pure Semitic stock, for the Canaanites were Hamites. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Chapter x
... See v.5 above. This summarizing verse for the Hamites, differing slightly from
v.5 in its arrangement of terms, is essentially the same as that verse. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Chapter v
... may mean "renown." Ham, Hebrew cham, may be derived from the root chamam, "to be
hot," and may thus involve a reference to the fact that most Hamites live in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter v.htm

Shu'hamites (2 Occurrences)
Shu'hamites. Shuhamites, Shu'hamites. Shuhite . Multi-Version
Concordance Shu'hamites (2 Occurrences). Numbers 26:42 ...
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Hamites (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hamites (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 4:40 And
they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and ...
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Shuhite (5 Occurrences)

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Semites
... The grounds for the inclusion of these Biblical Hamites among the Semites are chiefly
linguistic, although political, commercial and religious affinities are ...
/s/semites.htm - 27k

Semitic
... The grounds for the inclusion of these Biblical Hamites among the Semites are chiefly
linguistic, although political, commercial and religious affinities are ...
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Allon (3 Occurrences)
... (2.) The son of Jedaiah, of the family of the Simeonites, who expelled the
Hamites from the valley of Gedor (1 Chronicles 4:37). Int. ...
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Shuhamites (2 Occurrences)

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Hamlet (1 Occurrence)

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Hamishah (1 Occurrence)

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What is the biblical account of Shem, Ham, and Japheth? | GotQuestions.org

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