The sons of Noah produced the descendents who were scattered throughout the earth. Noah himself was a farmer and planted a vineyard. Having drunk some of the wine he became drunk, this is the first recorded incident of drunkenness. As a result he was naked (and presumably asleep or unconscious) in his tent. There is no hint of why he was naked. Ham found him and told his two brothers. The two brothers walked backwards into the tent and covered their father’s nakedness.
The common interpretation is that Seth and Japheth were guarding their father’s dignity, while Ham broadcast the news. Now this is a good lesson, and a good way to approach life, but it has to be said that this is reading things into the story. From the bare bones of the story it may be that Ham was just shocked and embarrassed and wanted help from his brothers, and it may be that they just did not want to see their father naked.
However, the traditional interpretation is consistent with Noah’s words on waking. He was certainly angry with Ham, but then these could be the angry ramblings of a man getting up with a hangover.
Now Ham was the father of the Canaanites, and Israel did descend from Seth. The incident does not really cover anyone in glory.
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