Noah, Ham, & Nudity
SOME Christian Denominations use this historical story in the bible as evidence that fathers and sons should not see each other nor partake in any naked activities. But what if they are reading the meaning of this event all wrong? Here is an interesting video on what the original Hebrew tells the story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIZSceBBdbc
Often mentioned as critical of nudity is the occurrence of Noah getting drunk and caught naked by his sons.
To assume that the nudity was the central issue here is mistaken. The account is found in Genesis 9:
18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 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.
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
^^ Noah got drunk and slovenly -- not a position of respect, as a patriarch should be. But when Ham saw it, what did he do? Did he discreetly deal with his father's disrespectful condition? No, he right away went out and blabbed it to others. His two brothers dealt with it discreetly. Pay particular attention to verse 24, which reads that Noah was upset about what Ham did *unto* him. The lesson here is how we should treat one another -- with respect and dignity. Note it doesnt mention anywhere that Noah had sinned by being naked, and Ham had nothing to do with him being naked.^^
I find it a strange story. Maybe you can read into what's not said, but the way I understand it is:
A grandpa gets so drunk while working that he's unable to put himself to bed.
The younger son makes a big deal out his father exposing himself in his stupor.
The other sons make a bigger deal out of it by covering their dad walking backwards (without stepping on him accidentally or covering his face instead to smother him).
No one shows any concern or judgement that grandpa is wasted, such as putting him on his side so he won't drown in his own vomit, nor is grandson recognized.
Grandpa woke up, is likely very hungover and ends up pushing for grandson to become a slave to his uncle.
Today Christians are likely to focus on the grandpa's holy unpseakable, unviewable balls, that grandson had it coming to him as a slave and grandpa should continue to be enabled for his drinking problem by laying blame on the youngest, most vulnerable generation.
Makes me wonder what really went on in that ark.
It could have been sexual but what we do know is that he was mocking his father and that was the real sin. Noah wasn't punished for being naked, nor was he for being drunk (although we do see in the Bible warnings against drunkenness).
To uncover thy nakedness in most all other instances in the Bible refers to a sexual act.
In truth, the expression, "To uncover the nakedness of," never refers to a sex act. It's a figure of speech that means to make vulnerable, to cause someone to be emotionally exposed.
Having read all the other thoughts here, which have been what has been the historic theories, there's a guy who carries it a bit further. He invokes Levitical law, regarding sex within the family. Having sex with one's mother is deemed as "uncovering your father's nakedness." Not saying he's right, but he's worth listening to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuORVJu-57o
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