Ham
Before Israel Son of Noah; ancestor of Egypt, Cush and Canaan · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Name means
- Hot; warm (commonly given)
- Role
- Son of Noah
- When
- After the Flood
What they did
Survived the Flood with his father. He saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers, and Noah pronounced a curse on Ham's son Canaan.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
From Ham came many nations, including Egypt and Cush. Scripture later shows God's mercy reaching these peoples, such as the promise 'Blessed be Egypt my people' (Isaiah 19:25).
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. Genesis 10:6 (KJV)
Bible references
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. Genesis 9:18 (KJV)
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. 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. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. Genesis 9:22-25 (KJV)
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. Genesis 10:6 (KJV)
Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. Psalms 105:23 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Noah
- Children
- Cush, Mizraim, Phut, Canaan
- Brothers / sisters
- Shem, Japheth
Egypt is called 'the land of Ham' in the Psalms (Psalms 105:23).