16
και εσται το τοξον μου εν τη νεφελη και οψομαι του μνησθηναι διαθηκην αιωνιον ανα μεσον εμου και ανα μεσον πασης ψυχης ζωσης εν παση σαρκι η εστιν επι της γης
Genesis 9:16
Arcana Coelestia # 1063
1063. And Ham is the father of Canaan. That this signifies that from the corrupted church sprang worship in externals without internals, which worship is signified by “Canaan” is likewise evident from what follows; for what is contained in this verse is premised to what is in the following verses. That “Ham” signifies the corrupted church, that is, those who make faith separate from charity the principal of their faith, is evident in David:
He smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the beginning of strength, in the tents of Ham (Psalms 78:51).
By “the firstborn in Egypt” was represented faith without charity. That faith is called the firstborn of the church may be seen above (n. 352, 367) and that faith is thence called the “beginning of strength” as here in David, may be seen in Genesis 49:3, in what is said of Reuben, who represented faith because he was the firstborn of Jacob, and is called the “beginning of strength.”
The “tents of Ham” are the worship therefrom. That “tents” signify worship may be seen above n. 414). Egypt is hence called the “land of Ham” (Psalms 105:23, 27; 106:22). Such men, who in the Ancient Church were called “Ham” because they lived a life of all cupidities, merely prating that they could be saved by faith howsoever they lived, appeared to the ancient people black from the heat of cupidities, and from this were called “Ham.” Ham is said to be the “father of Canaan” for the reason that such men care nothing how a man lives, provided he frequents sacred rites—for they do still desire some worship. But external worship is the only worship for them; internal worship, which belongs solely to charity, they reject. Hence Ham is said to be “the father of Canaan.”
Psalms 105
1
Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples.
2
Sing to him, Sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
3
Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
4
Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.
5
Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6
you seed of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
7
He is Yahweh, our God. His judgments are in all the earth.
8
He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
9
the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac,
10
and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
11
saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;"
12
when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
13
They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14
He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
15
"Don't touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!"
16
He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.
17
He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave.
18
They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,
19
until the time that his word happened, and Yahweh's word proved him true.
20
The king sent and freed him; even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.
21
He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions;
22
to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.
23
Israel also came into Egypt. Jacob lived in the land of Ham.
24
He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
25
He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.
26
He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27
They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28
He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn't rebel against his words.
29
He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish.
30
Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the rooms of their kings.
31
He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders.
32
He gave them hail for rain, with lightning in their land.
33
He struck their vines and also their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.
34
He spoke, and the locusts came, and the grasshoppers, without number,
35
ate up every plant in their land; and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36
He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood.
37
He brought them forth with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes.
38
Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen on them.
39
He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night.
40
They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky.
41
He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.
42
For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.
43
He brought forth his people with joy, his chosen with singing.
44
He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession,
45
that they might keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise Yah!
