He also declared:This phrase indicates a continuation of Noah's pronouncement following the incident involving his sons. It suggests a formal declaration or prophecy, emphasizing the importance and authority of the words that follow. This is part of Noah's response to the actions of his sons, particularly Ham's disrespect.
Blessed be the LORD,
The use of "LORD" in all capitals signifies the covenant name of God, Yahweh. This blessing acknowledges God's sovereignty and faithfulness. It reflects a recognition of God's role in the unfolding plan of salvation and His relationship with humanity, particularly through the line of Shem.
the God of Shem!
Shem is identified as the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites. This phrase highlights the special relationship between God and Shem's descendants, foreshadowing the eventual calling of Abraham and the establishment of Israel. It underscores the idea that Shem's line is chosen for a unique purpose in God's redemptive plan.
May Canaan be the servant of Shem.
Canaan, the son of Ham, is here prophesied to be subservient to Shem. This reflects the consequences of Ham's actions and the resulting curse on Canaan. Historically, the Canaanites were often in conflict with the Israelites, descendants of Shem, and were eventually subjugated by them. This phrase also serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual order established by God, where disobedience leads to servitude and blessing follows faithfulness.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NoahThe patriarch who survived the Flood and made a covenant with God. He is the one pronouncing the blessing in this verse.
2.
ShemOne of Noah's three sons, who is blessed in this passage. Shem is considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites.
3.
CanaanThe son of Ham and grandson of Noah. Canaan is cursed to be a servant to Shem, which has implications for the future of the Canaanite people.
4.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenantal name of God, who is acknowledged as the God of Shem in this blessing.
5.
The Event of the BlessingThis occurs after the Flood, when Noah is pronouncing blessings and curses upon his sons and their descendants.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God in Blessing and CursingThis passage highlights God's sovereign choice in blessing Shem and cursing Canaan. It reminds us that God's plans and purposes are beyond human understanding and control.
The Importance of Lineage and CovenantShem's blessing is significant because it sets the stage for the Abrahamic covenant and the eventual coming of the Messiah. Understanding our spiritual heritage in Christ is crucial for our identity and mission.
The Role of Obedience and FaithfulnessWhile Shem is blessed, the broader account of Scripture shows that blessings are often tied to obedience and faithfulness to God. We are called to live in a way that honors our covenant relationship with God.
The Consequences of SinThe curse on Canaan serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of sin. It challenges us to consider how our actions today can impact future generations.
God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe fulfillment of the blessings and curses pronounced by Noah demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 9:26?
2.How does Genesis 9:26 emphasize the importance of blessing others in our lives?
3.What role does Shem's blessing play in God's covenantal promises throughout Scripture?
4.How can we apply the principle of blessing others in our daily interactions?
5.In what ways does Genesis 9:26 connect to the lineage of Jesus Christ?
6.How does this verse encourage us to honor God's chosen people today?
7.What is the significance of Noah's blessing on Shem in Genesis 9:26?
8.How does Genesis 9:26 relate to the concept of chosen people?
9.Why is Canaan mentioned in the context of Shem's blessing in Genesis 9:26?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9?
11.Why were the Canaanites cursed with enslavement?
12.Who was Ham in the Bible?
13.Why is Canaan punished for his father’s wrongdoing (Genesis 9:20–27)?
14.What are the various human races?What Does Genesis 9:26 Mean
Blessed be the LORDNoah begins with worship. “Blessed be the LORD” centers the focus on God Himself rather than on Shem or Canaan.
• Scripture consistently shows blessing flowing from God’s character (Psalm 103:1–2;Ephesians 1:3).
• By blessing the LORD, Noah recognizes that every family outcome after the flood rests in God’s sovereign hands (Genesis 8:20–22).
• The phrase underscores gratitude for grace already displayed—preservation through the flood—before addressing future destinies.
the God of ShemAttaching God’s name to Shem reveals a covenant direction.
• Throughout Genesis, lineage matters because it carries the promise first uttered inGenesis 3:15 and later detailed to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3). Shem’s line will steward that promise.
• Later genealogy confirms this: “Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber” (Genesis 10:21), leading to Abraham (Genesis 11:10–26).
• Other passages echo God binding Himself to a chosen line—“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:15).
• For believers today, this highlights that redemption history is not random; God purposefully channels blessing through Shem’s descendants, culminating in Christ (Luke 3:36).
May Canaan be the servant of ShemHere Noah speaks a prophecy, not a personal grudge.
• The earlier statement “Cursed be Canaan” (Genesis 9:25) addresses Ham’s sin through his youngest son. Now, servitude to Shem is specified, confirming the curse’s social outworking.
• Historically, many Canaanite city-states fell under Israel’s dominion (Joshua 9:23;Judges 1:28).
• The servitude is limited: individuals from Canaan could still receive mercy—Rahab (Joshua 2) and the Gibeonites (Joshua 9) show God’s grace operating within the curse’s framework.
• This prophecy never justifies racial prejudice; it addresses a particular lineage and time, while affirming that all nations may find blessing in Shem’s ultimate offspring, Jesus (Galatians 3:8).
summaryGenesis 9:26 affirms God’s supremacy, reveals His decision to work redemptively through Shem’s line, and foretells Canaan’s subservience as part of divine justice. The verse anchors later covenant history, reminding us that God directs human affairs toward His promised salvation and is worthy of continual blessing.
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Blessed be Jehovah.--The greatness of Shem's blessing is shown by its taking the form of a hymn of praise to Jehovah, the personal God; and the patriarch's fervent outburst of thanksgiving was a presage of the hallelujahs that were to arise unto God from all mankind for the birth of that son of Shem in whom all nations were to be blessed. The following words should be translated,
And let Canaan be their servant,the servant both of Shem and Japheth. (See margin.)
Verse 26. -
And he said - not "Blessed of Jehovah, my God, be Shem" (Jamieson), as might have been anticipated (this, equally with the omission of Ham's name, lifts the entire patriarchal utterance out of the region of mere personal feeling), but -
Blessed -
בָּרוּך when applied to God signifies an ascription of praise (cf.
Psalm 144:15;
Ephesians 1:3); when applied to man, an invocation of good (cf.
Genesis 14:19, 20;
Psalm 128:1;
Hebrews 7:6) -
be the Lord God - literally,
Jehovah, Elohim of Shem (cf.
Genesis 24:27);
Jehovah being the proper personal name of God, of whom it is predicated that he is the Elohim of Shem; equivalent to a statement not simply that Shem should enjoy "
a rare and transcendent," "Divine or heavenly," blessing (Calvin), or "a most abundant blessing, reaching its highest point in the promised Seed" (Luther); but that Jehovah, the one living and true God, should be his God, and that the knowledge and practice of the true religion should continue among his descendants, with, perhaps, a hint that the promised Seed should spring from his loins (OEeolampadius, Willet, Murphy, Keil, etc.) -
of Shem. In the name Shem (name, renown) there may lie an allusion to the spiritual exaltation and advancement of the Semitic nations (
vide Genesis 5:32).
And Canaan shall be his servant.לָמו =
לָהֶס (Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic),
i.e. the two brothers (Delitzsch), their descendants (Knobel, Keil), Shem and Jehovah (Bush); or more probably -
לו, as a collective singular (cf. Gesenius, § 103, 2),
i.e. Shem, including his descendants (LXX.,
αὐτοῦ; Kalisch, Lange, Murphy).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He also declared:וַיֹּ֕אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Blessedבָּר֥וּךְ(bā·rūḵ)Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse[be] the LORD,יְהֹוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelthe Godאֱלֹ֣הֵי(’ĕ·lō·hê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeof Shem!שֵׁ֑ם(šêm)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8035:Shem -- 'name', oldest son of NoahMay Canaanכְנַ֖עַן(ḵə·na·‘an)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667:Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordanbeוִיהִ֥י(wî·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethe servantעֶ֥בֶד(‘e·ḇeḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantof [Shem].לָֽמוֹ׃(lā·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3926:To or foreign
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OT Law: Genesis 9:26 He said Blessed be Yahweh the God (Gen. Ge Gn) 
