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Genesis 9:27

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9:27May God enlarge Japheth’s territory and numbers!61

May he live62 in the tents of Shem

and may Canaan be his slave!”

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Footnotes

  1. 61 Heb “may God enlarge Japheth.” The words “territory and numbers” are supplied in the translation for clarity. There is a wordplay (paronomasia) on the name Japheth. The verb יַפְתְּ (yaft, “may he enlarge”) sounds like the name יֶפֶת (yefet, “Japheth”). The name itself suggested the idea. The blessing for Japheth extends beyond the son to the descendants. Their numbers and their territories will be enlarged, so much so that they will share in Shem’s territories. Again, in this oracle, Noah is looking beyond his immediate family to future generations. For a helpful study of this passage and the next chapter, see T. O. Figart, A Biblical Perspective on the Race Problem, 55–58.
  2. 62 In this context the prefixed verbal form is a jussive (note the distinct jussive forms both before and after this in vv. 26 and 27).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

May God enlarge Japheth,

and let him dwell in the tents of Shem,

and let Canaan be his servant.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

May God extend Japheth’s territory;

may Japheth live in the tents of Shem,

and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Let God extend Japheth;

let Japheth dwell in the tents of Shem;

let Canaan be Shem’s slave.

NLTNew Living Translation

May God expand the territory of Japheth!

May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem,

and may Canaan be his servant.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

May God make space for Japheth,

and let him dwell in the tents of Shem,

and let Canaan be a slave for him.”

KJV 1900King James Version

God shall enlarge Japheth,

And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem;

And Canaan shall be his servant.