I did a bit of research to help clarify Tanner's question brought up today in class about the origins of the Hamitic Myth. Here's what I found; please feel free to keep posting comments and adding to the information provided:
HAM IN THE BIBLE (Genesis 9:20-27)
20) And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: 21) And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. 22) And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. 23) And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. 24) And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25) And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26) And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27) God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
5 comments:
If you notice in the scripture, not one word is said on the color of Ham or his son Cannan's skin. so basicly even though it said that cannan's decendents shall be servants there is distiguishing way to determine geneticly who the decendents of cannan are. It's also notable that Noah did not curse Ham himself, instead he cursed his son Cannan. A little unfair dont you think?
The designation of the servant is apparent but I'm not sure I fully understand why Canaan is being first cursed then designated as a servant. It even gives some depth between his role and others when it states that Japheth will be enlarged and dwell in the tents but Canaan will only be their to serve him.
I'm not sure I fully understand what happened here. Didn't Ham tell his brothers what happened and they covered Noah? So why did Ham get into trouble. I'm probably going to feel really dumb when someone answers this but I guess im a bit confused
This is an interesting story, but I still do not see the relevance to the oppression of the black slaves. I think it’s a very far reach to compare the two issues. I think it is very safe to say that is a myth.
Thanks for the clarification though!
I also didnt understand why Canaan was cursed before the servant. Why would one only want Canaan to be there to soley serve them? I have no idea
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