Cursed
The Hebrew word for "cursed" is "arur," which implies being bound or hemmed in with obstacles. In the biblical context, a curse is a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment. This reflects the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of the offense that led to this pronouncement. It is important to note that curses in the Bible often have long-lasting implications, affecting generations.

be Canaan
Canaan is the son of Ham, and this curse is directed specifically at him rather than Ham himself. This has led to much theological discussion about the nature of generational consequences and the justice of God. Historically, the Canaanites were known to be a people who later opposed Israel, and this curse is seen as a foreshadowing of their future subjugation. The name "Canaan" itself is associated with the land that would become the Promised Land, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

A servant of servants
This phrase is a Hebrew idiom indicating the lowest possible status. The repetition emphasizes the depth of servitude and subjugation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, servitude was a common social structure, and being a "servant of servants" would imply being at the bottom of the social hierarchy. This reflects the severe consequences of the curse and the future role of Canaan's descendants.

shall he be
The use of "shall" indicates a future certainty, suggesting that this is not merely a possibility but a definite outcome. This reflects the prophetic nature of Noah's words, which are seen as divinely inspired and thus certain to come to pass. It underscores the belief in the sovereignty of God over human affairs and the unfolding of history according to divine will.

to his brothers
This phrase indicates the relational aspect of the curse, highlighting the dynamics within the family of Noah. The "brothers" here refer to the descendants of Shem and Japheth, Noah's other sons. This sets the stage for the future interactions between the descendants of these brothers, with Canaan's descendants often being in opposition to or subjugated by the others. It reflects the biblical theme of family and the consequences of actions within that context.

A servant of servants. That is, the most abject of slaves. This was fulfilled in the conquest of Canaau by Joshua, but the race had nevertheless a great future before it. The Hittites were one of the foremost nations of antiquity, and the Sido-nians, Tyrians, and Ph?nicians were such famous traders, that Canaanite is in our version translated merchant, without even a note in the margin (e.g., Proverbs 31:24). But the whole race was enslaved by one of the most terrible and degrading forms of idolatry, and as Shem's blessing is religious, so possibly is Canaan's curse. Lenormant (Manual of Ancient History of the East, 2:219) says of their religion, "No other people ever rivalled them in the mixture of bloodshed and debauchery with which they thought to honour the Deity." He also quotes Creuzer, who says, "The Canaanite religion silenced all the best feelings of human nature, degraded men's minds by a superstition alternately cruel and profligate, and we may seek in vain for any influence for good it could have exercised on the nation."

(1) the curse of Canaan,

(2) the blessing of Shem, and

(3) the enlargement of Japheth, and in all three giving prominence to the doom of servitude pronounced upon the son of Ham. Cursed. The second curse pronounced upon a human being, the first having been on Cain (Genesis 4:11). Colenso notices that all the curses belong to the Jehovistic writer; but vide Genesis 49:6, 7, which Tuch and Bleek ascribed to the Elohist, though, doubtless in consequence of the "curse," by Davidson and others it is now assigned to the Jehovist. That this curse was not an imprecation, but a prediction of the future subjection of the Canaanites, has been maintained (Theodoret, Venema, Willet), chiefly in consequence of its falling upon Canaan; but . . .

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