He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse reveals a profound choice in how to bless: Noah doesn't just say "Blessed be Shem," but "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem." This elevates Shem's blessing from mere human favor to the divine reality of God Himself belonging to Shem, hinting at a lineage where God's presence and promise would profoundly dwell.
He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Noah's drunken indiscretion and Ham's disrespectful reaction, Noah awakens and, moved by the Spirit, pronounces curses and blessings on his sons and grandsons. This prophecy details the future destinies of their descendants, with specific focus on the line of Shem and the subjugation of Canaan.
Why does Noah bless the 'God of Shem' specifically? This isn't just about favoring one son; it's about tracing God's unfolding plan for humanity.
Noah's declaration, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem,' is a pivotal moment. It's more than just a father's blessing; it's a prophetic utterance.
A Divine Connection
Why is Canaan cursed to be a 'servant of servants'? This prophecy, though harsh, reveals God's judgment and the future subjugation of certain peoples.
The pronouncement over Canaan, 'and let Canaan be his servant,' is a direct consequence of Ham's disrespect and the subsequent sin that spread.
Divine Judgment and Future Fulfillment
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Understand the original words
baruk · Hebrew Adjective/Passive Participle
To pronounce favor, prosperity, or divine approval upon someone. Biblically, it signifies the bestowing of grace and the capacity for fruitfulness as defined by God.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His eternal self-existence, faithfulness, and holiness. It is the name by which God makes Himself known to His people as their Redeemer.
Shem · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
Refers to the descendant of Noah who became the ancestor of the Semitic peoples. In a redemptive-historical context, it points toward the lineage through which the messianic promise would eventually be fulfilled.
Kena'an · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
Refers to the son of Ham and the eponymous ancestor of the Canaanites. Biblically, it represents a line under divine judgment or limitation in relation to the redemptive line of Shem.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
One who serves another, often denoting a position of subjugation or labor. In a theological sense, it describes a relationship of hierarchy or subordination, sometimes reflective of divine judgment.
Noah's pronouncement, made shortly after the global flood, wasn't just a personal reaction but a divinely inspired prophecy. It set in motion a theological and historical trajectory that would profoundly shape the ancient Near East, particularly concerning the destinies of Shem's and Canaan's descendants.
c. 2950 BC— this verse
Noah's Blessing and Curse
After a devastating flood, Noah, representative of humanity's new beginning, curses Canaan (Ham's son) and blesses Shem and Japheth. This pronouncement foreshadows the future destinies of their descendants.
c. 2100 BC
Emergence of Canaanite City-States
Descendants of Canaan establish powerful city-states in the land later known as Canaan, developing distinct cultures and societies.
c. 2000 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Initiated
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, a descendant of Shem, promising him land and numerous descendants, setting the stage for future conflicts and fulfillments related to Canaan.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
Descendants of Shem, the Israelites, are enslaved in Egypt, a foreshadowing of servitude, though not directly related to the Canaanite curse.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
Led by Joshua, the Israelites, descendants of Shem, conquer and settle the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise and initiating a period where Canaanites become subservient.
c. 1000 BC
Kingdom of Israel Established
The unified Kingdom of Israel, descended from Shem, gains prominence, with some Canaanite groups integrated or subjugated.
This passage shows a historical fulfillment of Noah's prophecy, where the Gibeonites, descendants of Canaan, become perpetual servants ('hewers of wood and drawers of water') to the Israelites, who descended from Shem.
Matthew 1:1-16This genealogy highlights Shem's lineage as the line through which Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came, fulfilling the spiritual blessing declared by Noah.
Acts 15:14-18James quotes Amos' prophecy, which echoes Noah's words about Japheth dwelling in Shem's tents, referencing the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant alongside Israel.
Romans 9:4-5This passage emphasizes the special spiritual heritage of the Israelites, descendants of Shem, who received the adoption, the glory, the covenants, and from whom, in the flesh, Christ came.
calvinGenesis 9:1-29: "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."
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.
Et timor vester et pavor vester erit super omnem bestiam terrae, et super omne volatile coeli, cum omnibus quae gradiuntur in terra, et omnibus pi…
ellicottGenesis 9:26: "And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant."
(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 Canaan b…
The verse reveals a profound choice in how to bless: Noah doesn't just say "Blessed be Shem," but "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem." This elevates Shem's blessing from mere human favor to the divine reality of God Himself belonging to Shem, hinting at a lineage where God's presence and promise would profoundly dwell.
Following Noah's drunken indiscretion and Ham's disrespectful reaction, Noah awakens and, moved by the Spirit, pronounces curses and blessings on his sons and grandsons. This prophecy details the future destinies of their descendants, with specific focus on the line of Shem and the subjugation of Canaan.
Following Noah's drunken indiscretion and Ham's disrespectful reaction, Noah awakens and, moved by the Spirit, pronounces curses and blessings on his sons and grandsons. This prophecy details the future destinies of their descendants, with specific focus on the line of Shem and the subjugation of Canaan.
"He also said,
“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem;
and let Canaan be his servant." — The verse reveals a profound choice in how to bless: Noah doesn't just say "Blessed be Shem," but "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem." This elevates Shem's blessing from mere human favor to the di…
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Last reviewed October 2026