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.

1. Noah
The patriarch who survived the Flood and made a covenant with God. He is the one pronouncing the blessing in this verse.

2. Shem
One of Noah's three sons, who is blessed in this passage. Shem is considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites.

3. Canaan
The 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 Blessing
This occurs after the Flood, when Noah is pronouncing blessings and curses upon his sons and their descendants.The Sovereignty of God in Blessing and Cursing
This 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 Covenant
Shem'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 Faithfulness
While 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 Sin
The 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 Promises
The 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.(26) 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 ...


He also declared:
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Blessed
בָּר֥וּךְ (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 Israel

the God
אֱלֹ֣הֵי (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Shem!
שֵׁ֑ם (šêm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8035: Shem -- 'name', oldest son of Noah

May Canaan
כְנַ֖עַן (ḵə·na·‘an)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667: Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan

be
וִיהִ֥י (wî·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the servant
עֶ֥בֶד (‘e·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of [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)