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Scripture & TraditionIntermediate

Was Ham's sin just seeing his father's nakedness?

Scripture & Tradition

The short answer

It appears his sin was disrespect. He saw Noah drunk and exposed, told his brothers, and did nothing to help; his brothers covered their father without looking. In that culture, publicizing his father's state was mortifying and deeply disrespectful.

What Ham did

Ham saw his father drunk and passed out naked, told his brothers, and did nothing to correct the situation (Genesis 9:21-22).

What his brothers did

They covered their father while avoiding looking at him (Genesis 9:23).

Why it was wrong

In their culture, publicizing Noah's drunkenness and undignified state would have been mortifying to him and extremely disrespectful.