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.
Shem and Japheth took a piece of clothing and put it across both their shoulders. Then they walked backward and covered their father's nakedness. They kept their faces turned away so they wouldn't see their father naked.
The writer is showing how two sons honored their father by respectfully covering him when he was in a vulnerable, shameful state, without looking at his nakedness.
📚 Historical Context
After the great flood, Noah and his family began a new life on the earth, with Noah planting a vineyard and becoming the first to cultivate wine. One day, Noah became drunk from the wine and lay uncovered in his tent, which led to his son Ham seeing him in that state and informing his brothers. Shem and Japheth responded by taking a garment, walking backward to avoid seeing their father's nakedness, and covering him, demonstrating cultural values of honor and respect toward elders in ancient Near Eastern societies.
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