But when he drank some of its wineThis phrase highlights Noah's consumption of wine, which he produced from the vineyard he planted after the flood. The cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine were common practices in ancient Near Eastern cultures, indicating Noah's return to agricultural life. Wine in the Bible often symbolizes joy and blessing (
Psalm 104:15), but it also serves as a warning against excess (
Proverbs 20:1). This incident marks the first mention of drunkenness in Scripture, illustrating the potential for misuse of God's gifts.
he became drunk
Noah's drunkenness is a significant moment, as it shows the vulnerability of even the most righteous individuals to sin. This event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overindulgence and losing self-control, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible (Ephesians 5:18). It also foreshadows the moral failures of humanity post-flood, despite God's covenant with Noah.
and uncovered himself
The act of uncovering oneself is often associated with shame and dishonor in biblical texts. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, nakedness was considered a state of vulnerability and disgrace (Genesis 3:7). This incident with Noah parallels the shame experienced by Adam and Eve after the fall, highlighting the ongoing struggle with sin and the need for redemption.
inside his tent
The setting of this event within Noah's tent suggests a private matter that becomes public due to the actions of his son Ham. Tents were the primary dwellings of nomadic peoples, providing shelter and privacy. The breach of privacy by Ham, who later sees his father's nakedness, sets the stage for the subsequent curse on Canaan. This incident underscores the importance of respecting family boundaries and the consequences of failing to do so.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NoahA righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. After the flood, he became a farmer and planted a vineyard.
2.
Noah's TentThe private space where Noah became drunk and exposed himself, leading to subsequent events involving his sons.
3.
The VineyardRepresents Noah's post-flood agricultural endeavors, which led to the production of wine and his subsequent intoxication.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of IntoxicationNoah's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the loss of self-control and dignity that can result from drunkenness. Believers are encouraged to exercise moderation and self-discipline.
The Importance of Personal ResponsibilityNoah's actions had consequences not only for himself but also for his family. This underscores the importance of personal responsibility and the impact of our actions on others.
The Role of AccountabilityThe incident with Noah and his sons highlights the need for accountability within families and communities. Believers are called to support and correct one another in love.
The Grace of God in Human WeaknessDespite Noah's failure, God’s covenant with him remained intact. This illustrates God's grace and faithfulness, even when we fall short.
The Call to HolinessAs followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, avoiding behaviors that lead to shame and dishonor.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 9:21?
2.How does Genesis 9:21 illustrate the consequences of neglecting self-control and vigilance?
3.What lessons can we learn about human weakness from Noah's actions in Genesis 9:21?
4.How does Noah's behavior in Genesis 9:21 relate to Proverbs 20:1 on wine?
5.In what ways can Genesis 9:21 encourage us to uphold personal accountability today?
6.How can we apply the lessons from Genesis 9:21 to our daily lives?
7.Why did Noah become drunk in Genesis 9:21 after being chosen by God?
8.How does Noah's drunkenness in Genesis 9:21 affect his righteousness?
9.What does Genesis 9:21 reveal about human nature and sin?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9?
11.What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?
12.Who was Ham in the Bible?
13.What does "uncover the nakedness" mean in the Bible?
14.What is the Christian Perspective on drinking wine?What Does Genesis 9:21 Mean
But when he drank some of its wine- Noah, “a man of the soil,” planted a vineyard after the flood (Genesis 9:20). The verse now zooms in on a particular moment from that new beginning.
- Wine itself is God-given and can gladden the heart (Psalm 104:14-15), yet from the first sentence we sense a turning point: Noah moves from cultivation to consumption.
- Scripture often contrasts the blessing of wine with the danger of excess (Judges 9:13;Proverbs 20:1). The wording alerts us that what was meant for refreshment is about to become a stumbling block.
He became drunk- The next clause states the consequence plainly: Noah lost self-control. Throughout the Bible, drunkenness is treated as folly and sin (Proverbs 23:29-32;Isaiah 5:11;Ephesians 5:18).
- Note the progression—drinking → drunkenness. It highlights how quickly a good gift can be abused when moderation is abandoned (Galatians 5:21).
- Even a righteous man like Noah (Genesis 6:9) is not immune to temptation. First Corinthians 10:12 warns, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall.”
And uncovered himself- The shame of nakedness first appeared after the fall (Genesis 3:7). Sin separates and exposes.
- Drunkenness impairs judgment, leading Noah to do what he would never have done sober (Habakkuk 2:15).
- Scripture repeatedly links inappropriate exposure with dishonor (Leviticus 18:6-7). For the patriarch, this act becomes the catalyst for the family drama that follows inGenesis 9:22-27.
Inside his tent- Though out of public view, sin’s impact is never isolated. Ham sees, dishonors, and brings the matter to his brothers, setting in motion blessing and curse. Nothing remains “private” before God (Numbers 32:23;Luke 8:17).
- The tent, a place of rest, turns into a scene of disgrace—an enduring reminder that the safest setting cannot protect us when our hearts drift (2 Samuel 11:13).
summaryGenesis 9:21 records a sad episode in an otherwise exemplary life. A God-given gift—wine—used without restraint leads Noah into drunkenness, shameful exposure, and family conflict. The verse stands as a timeless caution: honor God with every gift, guard your heart, and remember that even the faithful stumble when self-control is surrendered.
(21)
He was uncovered is, literally,
he uncovered himself.It was no accident, but a wilful breach of modesty.
Verse 21. -
And he drank of the wine.
יַיִן; "perhaps so called from bubbling up and fermenting;" connected with
יָוַן (Gesenius). Though the first mention of wine in Scripture, it is scarcely probable that the natural process of fermentation for so many centuries escaped the notice of the enterprising Cainites, or even of the Sethites; that, "though grapes had been in use before this, wine had not been extracted from them" (Murphy); or that Noah was unacquainted with the nature and effects of this intoxicating liquor (Chrysostom, Theodoret, Keil, Lunge). The article before
יַיִן indicates that the patriarch was "familiar with the use and treatment" of the grape (Kalisch); and Moses does not say this was the first occasion on which the patriarch tasted the fermented liquor (Calvin, Wordsworth).
And was drunken. The verb
שָׁכַר (whence
shechar, strong drink,
Numbers 28:7), to drink to the full, very often signifies to make oneself drunken, or simply to be intoxicated as the result of drinking; and that which the Holy Spirit here reprobates is not the partaking of the fruit of the vine, but the drinking so as to be intoxicated thereby. Since the sin of Noah cannot be ascribed to ignorance, it is perhaps right, as well as charitable, to attribute it to ago and inadvertence. Six hundred years old at the time of the Flood, he must have been considerably beyond this when Ham saw him overtaken in his fault, since Canaan was Ham's fourth son (
Genesis 10:6), and the first was not born till after the exit from the ark (
Genesis 8:18). But from whatever cause induced, the drunkenness of Noah was not entirely guiltless; it was sinful in itself, and led to further shame.
And he was uncovered. Literally,
he uncovered himself. Hithpael of
גָּלַה, to make naked, which more correctly indicates the personal guilt of the patriarch than the A.V., or the LXX.,
ἐγυμνώθη. That intoxication tends to sensuality cf. the cases of Lot (
Genesis 19:33), Ahasuerus (
Esther 1:10, 11), Belshazzar (
Daniel 5:1-6).
Within his tent.
Ἐν τῷ οἴκῷ αὐτοῦ (LXX.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But when he drankוַיֵּ֥שְׁתְּ(way·yê·šət)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354:To imbibesome ofמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofits wine,הַיַּ֖יִן(hay·ya·yin)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196:Wine, intoxicationhe became drunkוַיִּשְׁכָּ֑ר(way·yiš·kār)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7937:To become tipsy, to satiate with a, stimulating drink, influenceand uncovered himselfוַיִּתְגַּ֖ל(way·yiṯ·gal)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1540:To denude, to exile, to revealinsideבְּת֥וֹךְ(bə·ṯō·wḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centrehis tent.אָהֳלֹֽה׃(’ā·ho·lōh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 168:A tent
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OT Law: Genesis 9:21 He drank of the wine and got (Gen. Ge Gn) 
