Genesis 9:23
New International Version
But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

New Living Translation
Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked.

English Standard Version
Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

New American Standard Bible
But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it on both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

NASB 1995
But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

NASB 1977
But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Shem and Japheth took the garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned backward, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Amplified Bible
So Shem and Japheth took a robe and put it on both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Shem and Japheth put a robe over their shoulders and walked backwards into the tent. Without looking at their father, they placed it over his body.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Shem and Japheth took a blanket and laid it over their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered their father's naked body. They turned their faces away so that they didn't see their father naked.

Good News Translation
Then Shem and Japheth took a robe and held it behind them on their shoulders. They walked backward into the tent and covered their father, keeping their faces turned away so as not to see him naked.

International Standard Version
Then Shem and Japheth took their father's cloak, laid it across both their shoulders, and walking backwards, they both covered their father's genitals. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's genitals.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.

NET Bible
Shem and Japheth took the garment and placed it on their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered up their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so they did not see their father's nakedness.

New Heart English Bible
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned the other way, and they did not see their father's nakedness.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Shem takes—Japheth also—the garment, and they place on the shoulder of them both, and go backward, and cover the nakedness of their father; and their faces [are] backward, and their father’s nakedness they have not seen.

Young's Literal Translation
And Shem taketh -- Japheth also -- the garment, and they place on the shoulder of them both, and go backward, and cover the nakedness of their father; and their faces are backward, and their father's nakedness they have not seen.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Shem and Japheth will take a garment and they will put upon their two shoulders, and will go backwards and will cover the nakedness of their father: and their faces backwards, and they will not see the nakedness of their father.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Sem and Japheth put a cloak upon their shoulders, and going backward, covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were turned away, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And truly, Shem and Japheth put a cloak upon their arms, and, advancing backwards, covered the privates of their father. And their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s manhood.

New American Bible
Shem and Japheth, however, took a robe, and holding it on their shoulders, they walked backward and covered their father’s nakedness; since their faces were turned the other way, they did not see their father’s nakedness.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Shem and Japheth took a mantle and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward and they did not see their father's nakedness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sheem and Yaphet took a cloak and they threw it over both their shoulders and they walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were toward their back and they did not the nakedness of their father.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sem and Japheth having taken a garment, put it on both their backs and went backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their face was backward, and they saw not the nakedness of their father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Noah's Shame and Canaan's Curse
22And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him,…

Cross References
Leviticus 18:8
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.

Deuteronomy 27:16
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

James 5:20
consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

1 Timothy 5:1
Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.


Treasury of Scripture

And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on 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.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Leviticus 19:32
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Romans 13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

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Backs Backward Backwards Covered Faces Father's Garment Japheth Laid Nakedness Putting Robe Shem Shoulders Turned Walked
Genesis 9
1. God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food.
4. Blood and murder are forbidden.
8. God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge.
18. Noah's family replenishes the world.
20. Noah plants a vineyard,
21. Is drunken, and mocked by his son;
25. Curses Canaan;
26. Blesses Shem;
27. Prays for Japheth, and dies.














Then Shem and Japheth
The mention of Shem and Japheth highlights the two sons of Noah who acted righteously. In Hebrew, "Shem" means "name" or "renown," and "Japheth" means "expansion" or "enlargement." These names are significant as they reflect the roles these sons would play in the unfolding narrative of humanity. Shem is often associated with the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites, while Japheth is linked to the spread of peoples across the earth. Their actions here set a precedent for honoring family and maintaining dignity.

took a garment
The Hebrew word for "garment" is "simlah," which can refer to a cloak or covering. This garment symbolizes protection and respect. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clothing was not just a physical necessity but also a symbol of status and honor. By taking a garment, Shem and Japheth demonstrate their intent to restore their father's dignity, contrasting with Ham's earlier disrespect.

and placed it across their shoulders
This phrase indicates a deliberate and respectful action. The act of placing the garment across their shoulders suggests a shared responsibility and a united front in addressing the situation. It reflects the importance of family unity and cooperation in upholding moral values. The shoulders, in biblical symbolism, often represent strength and support, indicating their role in upholding their father's honor.

and walking backward
Walking backward signifies their conscious effort to avoid seeing their father's nakedness. This action is a powerful demonstration of respect and reverence for their father. In the cultural and historical context, seeing someone's nakedness, especially a parent's, was considered a grave dishonor. Their careful approach underscores the importance of modesty and the protection of family dignity.

they covered their father’s nakedness
Covering Noah's nakedness is an act of compassion and respect. The Hebrew root "kasah" means to cover or conceal, often used in the context of forgiveness and atonement. This act can be seen as a metaphor for the covering of sin and shame, pointing forward to the redemptive work of Christ, who covers our sins with His righteousness.

Their faces were turned away
Turning their faces away further emphasizes their respect and the intentionality of their actions. It highlights their desire to preserve their father's dignity and avoid any form of disrespect. This act of turning away is a physical manifestation of their inner moral compass, guiding them to honor their father despite his vulnerability.

and they did not see their father’s nakedness
The repetition of the phrase underscores the importance of their actions. In a broader biblical context, nakedness often symbolizes vulnerability and shame. By not seeing their father's nakedness, Shem and Japheth uphold a standard of righteousness and respect that is commendable. This narrative invites readers to consider the importance of honoring and protecting the dignity of others, even in their moments of weakness.

Verse 23. - And Shem and Japheth took a garment. Literally, the robe, i.e. which was at hand (Keil, Lange); the simlah, which was an outer cloak (Deuteronomy 10:18; 1 Samuel 21:10; Isaiah 3:6, 7), in which, at night, persons wrapped themselves (Deuteronomy 22:17). Sometimes the letters are transposed, and the word becomes salmah (cf. Exodus 22:8; Micah 2:8). And laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not the nakedness of their father; thereby evincing "the regard they paid to their father's honor and their own modesty (Calvin).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Shem
שֵׁ֨ם (šêm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8035: Shem -- 'name', oldest son of Noah

and Japheth
וָיֶ֜פֶת (wā·ye·p̄eṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3315: Japheth -- a son of Noah

took
וַיִּקַּח֩ (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a garment
הַשִּׂמְלָ֗ה (haś·śim·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle

and placed
וַיָּשִׂ֙ימוּ֙ (way·yā·śî·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

it across
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their shoulders,
שְׁכֶ֣ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7926: The neck, as the place of burdens, the spur of a, hill

and walking
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

backward,
אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ)
Adverb
Strong's 322: Backwards

they covered
וַיְכַסּ֕וּ (way·ḵas·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

their father’s
אֲבִיהֶ֑ם (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

nakedness.
עֶרְוַ֣ת (‘er·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

Their faces
וּפְנֵיהֶם֙ (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

were turned away
אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ)
Adverb
Strong's 322: Backwards

so that they did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see
רָאֽוּ׃ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

their father’s
אֲבִיהֶ֖ם (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

nakedness.
וְעֶרְוַ֥ת (wə·‘er·waṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness


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OT Law: Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 9:22
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