1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
2 The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered.
3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”
7 And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him,
9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you,”
10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth.
11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:
13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds,
15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan.
19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed.
20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.
21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and 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 backward, 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;
a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.”
27 May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.”
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.
The True Meaning of Genesis 9
This passage from the book of Genesis is attributed to the author Moses, who was a prominent figure in the Israelite tradition. Moses, as the chosen leader of the Israelites, played a crucial role in shaping the early history and religious foundations of the Jewish people. We witness the aftermath of the great flood that devastated the earth in this chapter, and the establishment of a new covenant between God and Noah, the sole survivor of the catastrophic event. The chapter foreshadows the divine blessings and commandments that will guide the future of humanity, as well as the challenges and temptations that will test their faith and obedience.
The events described in this passage echo the themes of creation, judgment, and redemption that are woven throughout the biblical narrative. As we delve into the chapter, God lays out his promises and expectations for his people, setting the stage for the unfolding of the Israelite story in the books to come.
Genesis 9:1-7
The Lord blessed Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1-7, instructing them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. This command mirrors the one given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, illustrating the cyclical nature of creation and emphasizing the importance of humanity’s role in God’s plan for the earth. The blessing to be fruitful and multiply suggests not only physical procreation but also the idea of flourishing and prospering in the land that God had preserved through the flood.
The Lord grants dominion over the animals to humanity, allowing them to be in awe and fear of humans. This mandate establishes a hierarchy in creation, where humans are placed as stewards over the earth and its creatures, responsible for caring for and wisely managing God’s creation. This echoes the concept of stewardship introduced in Genesis 2:15 when Adam was placed in the garden to work it and take care of it.
The verse also addresses the sanctity of human life, stating that whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made mankind. This passage reinforces the sanctity of life as humans are created in the image of God, and the shedding of human blood is considered a serious offense deserving of punishment. This principle forms the basis for laws against murder and illustrates God’s regard for human life.
Additionally, the mention of the rainbow as a sign of the covenant between God and all living creatures is significant. This rainbow serves as a reminder of God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood. It symbolizes God’s faithfulness, mercy, and commitment to His creation. The rainbow has become a universal symbol representing hope and God’s enduring covenant with humanity. Genesis 9:1-7 highlights themes of God’s blessings and commands to humanity, the sanctity of human life, stewardship over creation, and God’s faithfulness through the covenant symbolized by the rainbow. These timeless messages continue to resonate with believers, emphasizing the importance of respecting life, caring for creation, and remembering God’s promises throughout the biblical narrative.
Genesis 9:8-17
God makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, as well as all living creatures on earth in Genesis 9:8-17, promising to never again destroy the earth by a flood. This covenant is symbolized by the rainbow, which God sets in the sky as a sign of this promise. The importance of this covenant lies not only in its message of God’s mercy and faithfulness but also in its symbolism of hope and renewal after a great trial. God destroyed the earth with water due to the wickedness and corruption prevailing at the time, as we see when we delve into the context of this passage following the story of the Great Flood. Noah, along with his family and the animals, found favor in God’s eyes and were saved by being sheltered in the ark that Noah had built. This event serves as a pivotal moment in the Bible, showcasing God’s judgment of sin and His grace towards those who are faithful to Him.
The covenant established in Genesis 9 demonstrates God’s commitment to His creation despite its imperfections. It highlights God’s desire for a relationship with humanity and His willingness to show mercy and provide opportunities for redemption. The rainbow, a beautiful natural phenomenon, becomes a visible reminder of this divine promise, shining as a symbol of God’s enduring love and forgiveness.
This covenant with Noah also foreshadows future covenants that God will make with His people, such as the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and the covenant with Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai in Exodus 24. Each covenant serves to deepen the relationship between God and His people and to reveal more about His character and redemptive plan for humanity.
Through the covenant with Noah, we learn valuable lessons about God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and compassion. It teaches us that even in the midst of judgment and destruction, God always provides a way of escape and offers a promise of restoration and renewal. Just as the rainbow emerges after the storm, God’s grace shines brightly in the darkest times, offering hope and a path towards reconciliation with Him.
Genesis 9:18-23
Noah and his family emerge from the ark in Genesis 9:18-23, focusing on the aftermath of the great flood and Noah’s actions. This passage marks a significant moment in biblical history as it transitions from the destruction of the old world to the beginning of a new era for humanity. Noah’s three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japheth – who also survived the flood alongside Noah and their respective wives are seen in verse 18. These three sons are essential characters in the biblical narrative, as they are the ancestors of all humanity post-flood. Shem is highlighted throughout the Bible as the forefather of the Semitic peoples, with the line eventually leading to Abraham and the Israelites. Japheth is often associated with the Indo-European peoples, while Ham’s descendants are thought to have populated parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Moving on to verse 20, we witness Noah, described as a man of the soil, becoming the first recorded vineyard owner in the Bible. He planted a vineyard, made wine, and, unfortunately, drank too much of it. This incident where Noah becomes drunk and exposes himself in his tent sheds light on his humanity and imperfections. It serves as a reminder of the fallibility of even the most righteous individuals and the consequences of indulging in excess. Noah’s actions post-flood demonstrate that even after such a cataclysmic event, human nature remains unchanged and susceptible to temptation.
The subsequent verses detail the different reactions of Noah’s sons to his drunkenness. Ham sees his father’s nakedness and tells his brothers outside, while Shem and Japheth cover their father without looking at him. When Noah awakens and learns of what had happened, he curses Canaan, Ham’s son, rather than Ham himself. This part of the story emphasizes the importance of respect, honouring parents, and the consequences of disrespect. It also lays the groundwork for future events involving the descendants of Ham, particularly the Canaanites, who would come into conflict with the Israelites in the Promised Land.
This passage in Genesis 9:18-23 showcases the complexity of human relationships, the importance of familial respect, and the continuation of God’s plan for humanity despite the imperfections of individuals. It serves as a reminder that even after a divine intervention like the flood, human nature can still lead to moral failings. The story of Noah and his sons provides valuable lessons about accountability, forgiveness, and the interconnectedness of generations in shaping the course of history.
Genesis 9:24-29
Noah, after surviving the great flood, planted a vineyard and became drunk from the wine he had produced in Genesis 9:24-29. The section begins with Noah getting drunk and lying naked inside his tent. Ham, one of Noah’s sons, sees his father in this state and instead of covering him respectfully, he goes out and tells his brothers, Shem and Japheth, about it. Shem and Japheth take a garment, walk backward into the tent, and cover their father without looking at his nakedness in response. When Noah wakes up and finds out what happened, he curses Canaan, Ham’s son, and blesses Shem and Japheth.
This section holds several important messages. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of respect and honor, especially towards one’s parents. Ham’s disrespectful behavior towards his father Noah resulted in a curse being placed upon his descendants. This highlights the biblical principle of honoring and respecting one’s elders, which is reiterated in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12) and throughout the Bible in various instances.
Secondly, Noah’s actions after surviving the flood reveal his humanity and imperfection. Despite being a righteous man, he succumbed to drunkenness, showing that even the most faithful individuals can falter. This serves as a reminder of the frailty of humans and the need for forgiveness and grace. It also sheds light on the theme of redemption, as Noah, despite his mistake, is still chosen by God to repopulate the earth after the flood.
Lastly, the blessings and curses pronounced by Noah have long-lasting implications for the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The curse upon Canaan foretells the future conflicts and struggles that the Canaanite people would face. On the other hand, the blessings upon Shem and Japheth reveal the favor and protection that would be bestowed upon their offspring. These blessings and curses set the stage for the unfolding narratives of the Israelites (descendants of Shem) and other nations throughout the Old Testament. The account of Noah’s drunkenness and its aftermath in Genesis 9:24-29 serves as a complex narrative that delves into themes of respect, forgiveness, human fallibility, and the far-reaching effects of blessings and curses. It underscores the importance of upholding honor and reverence while also highlighting the mercy and sovereignty of God in the midst of human shortcomings.
After Genesis 9
The Lord had spoken to Noah and his sons, giving them instructions on how to live in the new world after the great flood. They were to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth once more. The Lord also established a covenant with them, promising never again to destroy the world by flood. Noah and his family must have felt a mix of awe, gratitude, and perhaps even trepidation as they stepped out into this renewed creation. What challenges would they face in rebuilding their lives? How would they honor the Lord’s commands and live in a way that pleased Him?
The next chapter would reveal the unfolding of this new chapter in human history. Though trials and temptations surely awaited, the Lord’s faithful presence and guiding hand would be their steady hope. With Him, they could navigate the uncertain path that lay ahead.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.