Ham
Noah’s son who came through the flood, whose sons became the peoples of Egypt, Canaan and beyond.
Old Testament · The flood · Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Psalms · Also known as Son of Noah, Father of Canaan
About Ham
Ham was one of Noah’s three sons, saved in the ark with his family. After the flood, when Noah lay uncovered in his tent, "Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without," while Shem and Japheth covered their father. Noah’s words of judgment fell on Ham’s son: "Cursed be Canaan." Ham’s sons were "Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan," and the Psalms call Egypt "the land of Ham."
Ham has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. Noah’s curse names Canaan, not Ham, and says nothing about skin colour. The so-called "curse of Ham" was a later misreading used to defend slavery and racism, and it has no basis in the text.
The story
Saved from the flood
"And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread."
Genesis 9:18-19
Told his two brethren
Noah planted a vineyard, drank wine, and lay uncovered in his tent. "And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without." His brothers covered their father without looking.
Genesis 9:20-23
Cursed be Canaan
"And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren."
Genesis 9:24-25
The land of Ham
"And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan." Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, Cush lay to its south, and Nimrod, "a mighty hunter before the LORD," came from Cush. The Psalms remember how "Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham."
Genesis 10:6-9; Psalm 105:23
Key moments
- Born to Noah: One of three sons. (Genesis 5:32)
- Saved in the ark: With all his family. (Genesis 7:13)
- Sees his father uncovered: And tells his brothers. (Genesis 9:22)
- Father of nations: Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan. (Genesis 10:6)
Questions about Ham
Was Ham cursed?
No. Noah’s words name Ham’s son: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." Nothing in the passage mentions skin or race. The idea of a "curse of Ham" on African peoples was a later misreading, used to defend slavery and racism. It has no basis in Scripture, which says all nations come from one family.
Where did Ham’s descendants live?
Genesis 10 lists "the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan." Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, and Cush lay to its south, in what is now Sudan. Canaan’s family settled the land later promised to Abraham. The Psalms call Egypt "the land of Ham."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Genesis 9:18-27; 10:6-20.