What Did Ham Do to His Father Noah in Genesis 9:20–27?

Some thoughts on popular theories regarding what Ham did to his father Noah in Genesis 9:20–27. Here is the text of the story from the NRSV:

20 Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan; lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem; and let Canaan be his slave. 27 May God make space for Japheth, and let him live in the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave.”

[jeremiahbleeker]

My personal interpretation has been that seeing his father nakedness was in and of itself not the issue. It was when Ham went to his brothers about it. Since this is not that far removed from Adam, where nakedness references sin and shame, . Adam and Eve most likely gave their children and grandchildren a sever complex about nudity. When Ham went to his brothers, he was shaming his father. He basically was ridiculing his father to his brothers, and also left his father in a shamed state. So he dishonored his father. He exposed his father's shame.
The reason Canaan gets cursed, ? Two possiblities. One reason, God had already blessed Ham, Shem and Japheth. A curse would be going against a blessing, and the blessing came from God, so the curse could be viewed as going against God? So he curses Canaan. Another reason may be out of petty revenge. Noah was shamed by his son, so Ham (a father) would see his own son shamed.
As far as the extreme action. Noah has the title "Righteous of his generation." A generation God wiped out in the Flood. The amendment "of his generation" would imply Noah was the least rotted fruit, but not free from rot. This may be an example of that rot. I have always taken this story as a statement "God can use anyone. But, just because God uses them, doesn't make them good."
Really love your content on TikTok and that you a very straight forward with the facts. Hope to see more videos.

[thereseservais]

Thank you for your take on this. Simplicity and soberness are appreciated here. Blessings.

[josephnwilson]

This was so fascinating! The different ways that the story might have come together, the readings, the cultural background behind why the “seeing the nakedness” was a big deal, as well as exploring why different readings could be compelling. Great video!

[TheYgds]

I can't believe this is the first time I'm hearing of the etiological composite text reading of this story. It solves so many problems. Where have you been all my life my friend?

[ALLPROALLDAY]

The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. -Leviticus 18:8

[michaelangeloevans]

Leviticus 20:11
If a man lies with his father’s wife he has uncovered is father’s nakedness.

[TheFoxandStone]

First, I absolutely love the longer format and being able to listen to you expound on a topic! Second, thank you for this fascinating look at this section.

[queuebit]

TIL another term for Occam’s razor - the principle of parsimony, I like how it includes “most economic way” too.

[shrewdthewise]

I wrote an article years ago on this passage and my interpretation of it is the same as yours. I could not believe how many commenters attacked me because I refused to subscribe to the salacious viewpoint! I was accused of everything from being ignorant to an outright heretic because I endorsed the simple, straightforward explanation.
It seems like so many people just don’t find the Bible sensational enough and they so desperately WANT to read more into things than is actually there! So sad.
Great video and very nice handling of the subject.

[seanpanick]

I’m so glad you have a YouTube. Your TikToks are great, but I love getting this more thorough explanations.

[ajmentel]

almost 15 minutes of hearing you speak goes by just as quickly as 3! here's hoping you're cooking up some even longer form content :)

[ryanperry]

This was great! Would love to hear a similar examination of how these same metaphors might be interpreted in Ruth, regarding her interaction with Boaz wherein she, “uncovers his feet.”

[ignacia]

I've never heard of the interpretation that included r*pe and incest! Very interesting, since I was a kid I thought this story was really odd, but this cleares up the meaning of it.

[sso]

Thank you for your perspective about "seeing nakedness = seeing shame" as was in Gen. 3:7. It is thought provoking!

[ronanlouvel]

Leviticus 20:11 : If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Is quoted as to why some are told as why some have said it was a son sleeping with his mother. I remember being told that. Also in Leviticus 18:8 : [8] The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.

[SaffyFoo]

Thank you. That was boggling my mind. I lean on the side of protecting their fathers honour

[sleepforeveryone]

Thank you, Dan. This was a great explanation for one of the odd stories found in the Bible.

[tabitharussell]

Leviticus 18:8 says “the nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy fathers’s nakedness”

[hermanwilhelm]

Could it be that he violated the customs of the time? He went into the tent without obtaining permission? And then saw his father's nakedness, and then told his brothers.

[PrttypeSky]

Love the YouTube videos, something I don’t think can be explained well in 3min TikToks