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Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father's nakedness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/9-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_09_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 9:23 - Noah's Shame and Canaan's Curse" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father's nakedness. 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Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked. <a href="/nlt/genesis/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. <a href="/esv/genesis/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/kjv/genesis/9.htm">King James Bible</a> And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/9.htm">New King James Version</a> But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it on both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/nasb/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father&#8217s nakedness. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/lsb/genesis/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Shem and Japheth took the garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned backward, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/amp/genesis/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Shem and Japheth took a robe and put it on both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/csb/genesis/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father&#8217s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked. <a href="/asv/genesis/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/cev/genesis/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Shem and Japheth put a robe over their shoulders and walked backwards into the tent. Without looking at their father, they placed it over his body. <a href="/erv/genesis/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/gwt/genesis/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Shem and Japheth took a blanket and laid it over their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered their father's naked body. They turned their faces away so that they didn't see their father naked. <a href="/gnt/genesis/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a robe and held it behind them on their shoulders. They walked backward into the tent and covered their father, keeping their faces turned away so as not to see him naked. <a href="/isv/genesis/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Shem and Japheth took their father's cloak, laid it across both their shoulders, and walking backwards, they both covered their father's genitals. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's genitals. <a href="/msb/genesis/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father?s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father?s nakedness. <a href="/net/genesis/9.htm">NET Bible</a> Shem and Japheth took the garment and placed it on their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered up their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so they did not see their father's nakedness. <a href="/nheb/genesis/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned the other way, and they did not see their father's nakedness. <a href="/wbt/genesis/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/web/genesis/9.htm">World English Bible</a> Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Shem takes—Japheth also—the garment, and they place on the shoulder of them both, and go backward, and cover the nakedness of their father; and their faces [are] backward, and their father’s nakedness they have not seen. <a href="/ylt/genesis/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Shem taketh -- Japheth also -- the garment, and they place on the shoulder of them both, and go backward, and cover the nakedness of their father; and their faces are backward, and their father's nakedness they have not seen. <a href="/slt/genesis/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Shem and Japheth will take a garment and they will put upon their two shoulders, and will go backwards and will cover the nakedness of their father: and their faces backwards, and they will not see the nakedness of their father.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Sem and Japheth put a cloak upon their shoulders, and going backward, covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were turned away, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And truly, Shem and Japheth put a cloak upon their arms, and, advancing backwards, covered the privates of their father. And their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s manhood. <a href="/nabre/genesis/9.htm">New American Bible</a> Shem and Japheth, however, took a robe, and holding it on their shoulders, they walked backward and covered their father’s nakedness; since their faces were turned the other way, they did not see their father’s nakedness. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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 away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Shem and Japheth took a mantle and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward and they did not see their father's nakedness. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Sheem and Yaphet took a cloak and they threw it over both their shoulders and they walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were toward their back and they did not the nakedness of their father.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. <a href="/sep/genesis/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Sem and Japheth having taken a garment, put it on both their backs and went backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their face was backward, and they saw not the nakedness of their father. <a href="/parallel/genesis/9-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2035" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">Noah's Shame and Canaan's Curse</a> …22And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23<a href="/hebrew/8035.htm" title="8035: šêm (N-proper-ms) -- Name, oldest son of Noah. The same as shem; name; Shem, a son of Noah.">Then Shem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3315.htm" title="3315: wā·ye·p̄eṯ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Noah. From pathah; expansion; Jepheth, a son of Noah; also his posterity.">and Japheth</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/8071.htm" title="8071: haś·śim·lāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A wrapper, mantle. Perhaps by permutation for the feminine of cemel; a dress, especially a mantle.">a garment</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śî·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and placed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">it across</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7926.htm" title="7926: šə·ḵem (N-msc) -- Shoulder. From shakam; the neck as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill.">their shoulders,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and walking</a> <a href="/hebrew/322.htm" title="322: ’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ (Adv) -- Backwards. Prolonged from 'achowr; backwards.">backward,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: way·ḵas·sū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">they covered</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî·hem (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">nakedness.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: ū·p̄ə·nê·hem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">Their faces</a> <a href="/hebrew/322.htm" title="322: ’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ (Adv) -- Backwards. Prolonged from 'achowr; backwards.">were turned away</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">so that they did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî·hem (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: wə·‘er·waṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">nakedness.</a> 24When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8</a> You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father. <a href="/deuteronomy/27-16.htm">Deuteronomy 27:16</a> ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ <a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a> Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a> Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11-12</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a> Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ... <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a> Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15</a> If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. <a href="/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20</a> consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/1_timothy/5-1.htm">1 Timothy 5:1</a> Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a> Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:14</a> And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a> Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a> Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a> Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Leviticus 19:32</a> Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.<a href="/romans/13-7.htm">Romans 13:7</a> Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/titus/1-16.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/john/20-14.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/john/18-6.htm">Backwards</a> <a href="/genesis/7-20.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/revelation/19-4.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Japheth</a> <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/revelation/9-21.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Shem</a> <a href="/luke/23-26.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/genesis/3-24.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Walked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/john/18-6.htm">Backwards</a> <a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/genesis/18-22.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/25-25.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Japheth</a> <a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/genesis/42-9.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/genesis/11-3.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/genesis/25-25.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/genesis/9-26.htm">Shem</a> <a href="/exodus/12-34.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/genesis/14-7.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">Walked</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 9</div>1. <a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food.</a> 4. <a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Blood and murder are forbidden.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/9-8.htm">God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Noah's family replenishes the world.</a> 20. <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Noah plants a vineyard,</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Is drunken, and mocked by his son;</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Curses Canaan;</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/9-26.htm">Blesses Shem;</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Prays for Japheth, and dies.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Shem and Japheth took a garment Shem and Japheth, two of Noah's sons, demonstrate respect and honor for their father. The act of taking a garment signifies their intention to protect Noah's dignity. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, family honor was paramount, and this action reflects the importance of maintaining familial respect. The garment symbolizes covering and protection, reminiscent of God providing garments for Adam and Eve in <a href="/genesis/3-21.htm">Genesis 3:21</a>, indicating a covering of shame.and placed it across their shoulders By placing the garment across their shoulders, Shem and Japheth show unity and cooperation in their effort to cover their father. This act of carrying the garment together signifies a shared responsibility and mutual respect. The use of their shoulders highlights the physical effort and care involved, suggesting a deliberate and thoughtful approach to addressing the situation.and walking backward Walking backward indicates their desire to avoid seeing their father's nakedness, showing a deep respect for Noah. This action contrasts with Ham's behavior, who saw and possibly mocked his father's vulnerability. The careful approach of Shem and Japheth underscores the biblical principle of honoring one's parents, as later codified in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>).they covered their father’s nakedness Covering Noah's nakedness is an act of restoring dignity and concealing shame. This reflects the biblical theme of covering sin and shame, as seen in the sacrificial system and ultimately fulfilled in Christ's atonement. The act of covering is a precursor to the redemptive work of Jesus, who covers the sins of humanity through His sacrifice.Their faces were turned away Turning their faces away further emphasizes their respect and intention not to exploit or dishonor their father. This action highlights the importance of modesty and discretion, values upheld throughout Scripture. It also serves as a moral lesson on the appropriate response to the failings of others, promoting compassion and respect rather than judgment and ridicule.so that they did not see their father’s nakedness The emphasis on not seeing Noah's nakedness reinforces the theme of respect and honor. This phrase underscores the importance of maintaining the dignity of others, even in their moments of weakness. It serves as a reminder of the biblical call to love and protect one another, reflecting the love and grace that God extends to humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/shem.htm">Shem</a> One of Noah's sons, who, along with Japheth, showed respect and honor towards their father by covering his nakedness. 2. <a href="/topical/j/japheth.htm">Japheth</a> Another son of Noah, who participated with Shem in the respectful act of covering Noah. 3. <a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a> The father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 4. <a href="/topical/h/ham.htm">Ham</a> The son of Noah who saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers, showing a lack of respect. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_tent.htm">The Tent</a> The place where Noah lay uncovered, symbolizing a private space that was violated by Ham's actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a> Shem and Japheth's actions demonstrate the importance of respecting and honoring parental authority, even when they are at fault. <a href="/topical/m/modesty_and_privacy.htm">Modesty and Privacy</a> The act of covering Noah's nakedness underscores the value of modesty and the protection of personal privacy. <a href="/topical/l/love_in_action.htm">Love in Action</a> The brothers' decision to cover their father without looking reflects a love that seeks to protect and preserve dignity. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_gossip.htm">Avoiding Gossip</a> Ham's actions serve as a warning against spreading information that can harm others, while Shem and Japheth's actions show the importance of discretion. <a href="/topical/f/family_unity.htm">Family Unity</a> The account highlights the role of family members in supporting and protecting one another, fostering unity and respect.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9</a> <a href="/q/why_were_canaanites_cursed_as_slaves.htm">Why were the Canaanites cursed with enslavement?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_canaan_punished_for_ham's_sin.htm">Why is Canaan punished for his father’s wrongdoing (Genesis 9:20–27)? </a> <a href="/q/noah's_sons__shem,_ham,_japheth.htm">Who are Noah's sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_ham_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Ham in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - And Shem and Japheth took a garment. Literally, the robe, i.e. which was at hand (Keil, Lange); the simlah, which was an outer cloak (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">1 Samuel 21:10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Isaiah 3:6, 7</a>), in which, at night, persons wrapped themselves (<a href="/deuteronomy/22-17.htm">Deuteronomy 22:17</a>). Sometimes the letters are transposed, and the word becomes salmah (cf. <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Exodus 22:8</a>; <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Micah 2:8</a>). And laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not the nakedness of their father; thereby evincing "the regard they paid to their father's honor and their own modesty (Calvin). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/9-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Shem שֵׁ֨ם (šêm) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8035.htm">Strong's 8035: </a> Shem -- 'name', oldest son of Noah and Japheth וָיֶ֜פֶת (wā·ye·p̄eṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3315.htm">Strong's 3315: </a> Japheth -- a son of Noah took וַיִּקַּח֩ (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take a garment הַשִּׂמְלָ֗ה (haś·śim·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8071.htm">Strong's 8071: </a> A dress, a mantle and placed וַיָּשִׂ֙ימוּ֙ (way·yā·śî·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set it across עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against their shoulders, שְׁכֶ֣ם (šə·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7926.htm">Strong's 7926: </a> The neck, as the place of burdens, the spur of a, hill and walking וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk backward, אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_322.htm">Strong's 322: </a> Backwards they covered וַיְכַסּ֕וּ (way·ḵas·sū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> To plump, fill up hollows, to cover their father’s אֲבִיהֶ֑ם (’ă·ḇî·hem) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father nakedness. עֶרְוַ֣ת (‘er·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> Nakedness Their faces וּפְנֵיהֶם֙ (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face were turned away אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_322.htm">Strong's 322: </a> Backwards so that they did not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no see רָאֽוּ׃ (rā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see their father’s אֲבִיהֶ֖ם (’ă·ḇî·hem) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father nakedness. וְעֶרְוַ֥ת (wə·‘er·waṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> Nakedness <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/9-23.htm">Genesis 9:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/9-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/9-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 9:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/9-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 9:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>