Genesis 9:25

And he said Noah's utterance of a curse upon Canaan and of a blessing upon Shem and Japheth is expressed in poetical terms. The solemn words of a father, as the head of his house, concerning his sons, partook of the character of prophecy, and were expressed in brief oracular sentences. Cf. in the story of Jacob chs. 27, 48 and 49.

Cursed be Canaan Three times over, in these verses, is the curse repeated against Canaan, while a blessing is pronounced upon Shem and Japheth. It is difficult to resist the conclusion that Canaan here stands on a level with Shem and Japheth, and that he is regarded as Noah's third son; as, indeed, is expressly indicated by the mention of "his brethren" (Genesis 9:22; Genesis 9:25). The explanation that the wrong-doing of "Ham" is punished by the curse levelled at Canaan, a son of Ham, seems most improbable; but this is the only explanation which the words of the text in Genesis 9:22, making "Ham, the father of Canaan," the offender, will admit. The mention of "Ham" in that verse is almost certainly a late insertion for harmonizing purposes.

A servant of servants i.e. the meanest of servants, the slave of slaves. Lat. servus servorum. For this method of expressing the superlative, cf. "the Holy of holies," i.e. the innermost Sanctuary (Exodus 26:33); "prince of the princes" (Numbers 3:32); "God of gods, Lord of lords" (Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalms 136:2-3); "Song of Songs," i.e. the fairest of songs (Song of Solomon 1:1); "the King of kings," i.e. the Omnipotent (Ezekiel 26:7).

unto his brethren Canaan is to be the slave of Shem and Japheth. The oracle predicts the subjugation of the Canaanites to the Israelites, and forecasts their inability to resist the power of Japheth. The precise manner in which the subjection of Canaan to Japheth was historically realized must be left uncertain. There is no suggestion of a whole race doomed to a condition of slavery. The application of this clause to the African races is an error of interpretation. Doubtless the power of the Japhetic races was from time to time successfully asserted against the Phoenicians. Japheth represents the races of the West and North.

If Canaan be not here regarded as the brother of Shem and Japheth, it must be assumed that the punishment of Ham is to be inflicted upon his son, Canaan. This is the usual explanation; but it breaks down in view of the fact that all the names are used symbolically and representatively, and the oracle has reference, in each case, not to the individuals, but to their descendants. Hence there would be no point in singling out a son of the real offender, instead of indicating the offender himself.