The Curse of Canaan in Genesis 9:18–27 and Its Effect on Ham’s Descendants

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Date

2024-09-10

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Uganda Christian University

Abstract

The study is a about the curse of Canaan in Genesis 9:18-27 and its effects on the descendants of Ham. The study is a Biblical and research based and it is guided by three objectives; to investigate the historical and cultural context of the narrative of the curse of Canaan in Genesis 9:18-27. To analyze the theological implications of the curse of Canaan and lastly to assess the impact of interpretation and teachings related to the curse of Canaan in Genesis 9:18-27. The researcher used Hermeneutical Interpretation, Cultural Hermeneutical and Confessional Hermeneutical Methods to study and found out that the concept of curse of Canaan and the effects of curse on Ham`s descendants mentioned in the Bible especially in the book of Genesis has had a lasting impact on the interpretation and treatment of the descendants of Ham. The study also found out that this curse has been interpreted as a justification for the subjugation of people of African descent particularly during the era of slavery in the United States. It is argued that interpreting this curse narrative as a divine mandate for the enslavement or mistreatment of any group of people is a gross misinterpretation. The study recommends that studying the curse of Canaan is to consider the historical context in which it was written, understanding the socio-political dynamics of the ancient Near East. It also recommend the reading of texts for unraveling the nuances of the curse of Canaan, analyzing the language, syntax and literary devices, Delving into the original Hebrew text and comparing different translations, engaging with a diverse range of scholarly perspectives for a comprehensive study of the curse of Canaan and drawing an insights from the fields like anthropology, archaeology, theology and Biblical studies, including the consultation of reputable sources such as academic journals specializing in Biblical studies, commentaries on the book of Genesis and scholarly works on ancient Near Eastern history and culture.

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Undergraduate research

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