Bible Strands
Genesis 9:25
he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Noah speaks these words immediately after waking from his drunkenness and learning that his youngest son had exposed his nakedness. He addresses the situation concerning Canaan, the grandson who will bear the consequences.
The words — The Hebrew term אָר֣וּר ('a.Rur) declares a state of being cursed, while עֶ֥בֶד עֲבָדִ֖ים ('E.ved 'a.va.Dim) literally translates to a slave of slaves. These terms establish Canaan’s future condition of subjugation.
The thread — Deuteronomy 27:16 pronounces a curse on one who dishonors parents, Joshua 9:23 records a group placed under a curse to serve as woodcutters and water carriers, and Judges 1:28 notes the Canaanites pressed into forced labor. The text first states the pronouncement and its historical enactment before interpreters infer broader theological themes.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that spoken declarations carry concrete historical consequences. It requires the reader to observe how words function as legal and social boundaries rather than abstract sentiments.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 27:16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
- Joshua 9:23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
- Judges 1:28 When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely.
- Joshua 9:27 On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.
- 1 Kings 9:20 As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—
- John 8:34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
- 2 Chronicles 8:7 As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)—
- Genesis 9:22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside.
- Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
- Deuteronomy 28:18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks.