The paternal blessings of Noah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, hold significant theological and historical importance within the biblical narrative. These blessings, pronounced by Noah upon his sons after the Flood, are found in Genesis 9:24-27. They reflect the continuation of God's covenantal promises and the unfolding of divine providence through human history.

Context and Background

Noah, a righteous man chosen by God to survive the Flood, became the progenitor of a renewed human race. After the waters receded, Noah and his family emerged from the ark, and he offered sacrifices to God, who then established a covenant with him, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:11). This covenant included the sign of the rainbow as a reminder of God's promise (Genesis 9:13).

The Incident Leading to the Blessings

The blessings of Noah are intricately linked to an incident involving his sons. After the Flood, Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine, became drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. Shem and Japheth, however, took a garment, walked backward, and covered their father's nakedness without looking at him (Genesis 9:20-23).

The Pronouncement of Blessings and Curses

Upon awakening and learning what had transpired, Noah pronounced a series of blessings and a curse:

1. Curse on Canaan: "Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers" (Genesis 9:25). This curse was directed at Ham's son, Canaan, and has been interpreted as a prophetic declaration concerning the future subjugation of the Canaanites, who would later inhabit the land promised to Abraham's descendants.

2. Blessing on Shem: "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem" (Genesis 9:26). This blessing highlights the special relationship between Shem and Yahweh, indicating that Shem's descendants would have a unique role in God's redemptive plan. The Semitic line, from which Abraham and ultimately the nation of Israel would come, is traced through Shem.

3. Blessing on Japheth: "May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem; and may Canaan be his servant" (Genesis 9:27). Japheth's blessing suggests expansion and prosperity. The phrase "dwell in the tents of Shem" has been interpreted to mean that Japheth's descendants would benefit from the spiritual heritage of Shem, possibly foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the blessings of salvation.

Theological Implications

The paternal blessings of Noah underscore the themes of sin, judgment, and grace. They reveal the consequences of disrespect and dishonor within the family unit, as seen in Ham's actions, and highlight the importance of righteousness and respect, as demonstrated by Shem and Japheth. These blessings also serve as a prophetic framework for understanding the unfolding of God's plan for humanity, particularly in relation to the nations that would emerge from Noah's sons.

In the broader biblical narrative, these blessings and curses set the stage for the development of nations and the eventual fulfillment of God's promises through the lineage of Shem, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. The blessings of Noah thus resonate with the overarching biblical theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in guiding human history according to His divine purposes.Genesis 9:24-27
And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.
Nave's Topical Index

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... the Lord gorged them with temporal blessings here, and ... their own, are justified by
the paternal indulgence of ... he is torn away from friends, parents, and country ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ...
... own in fact, by an efficacious application of blessings. ... had in themselves, or their
parents, departed from ... seriously wills to give the paternal inheritance to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... as children familiarly lay their complaints before their parents. ... God is the author
of all their blessings. ... Moses in humanity, goodness, and paternal solicitude ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

An Examination of the Treatise of William Perkins Concerning the ...
... one shall be a partaker of those blessings, who does ... are considered in their believing
parents, and are ... when God always preserves His paternal feelings towards ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/an examination of the treatise.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... See what arguments Christ brings to prove God's paternal care for ... a child should
be freed from duty to his parents? ... But God has more blessings than one for his ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... 648]462. Blessedness, real, what, [649]340. Blessings, the chief, common,
[650]351. Blind, fallen into a pit, [651]451. Body, human ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... whose numerous ranks were found Basil's paternal ancestors, upon ... Dutiful attendance
on my aged parents, and a ... by his rations of corn the heavenly blessings. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... His parents testified to their son's reception into the ... of a daughter, who against
the paternal will had ... similar state of things under Enoch, Noah, Lot, Abraham ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

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