CANAAN, the Son of Ham. The Hebrews1 believe, that Canaan having first discovered Noah’s nakedness, gave notice of it to his Father Ham; that Ham diverted himself with it, and acquainted his Brothers Shem and Japhet with it, who with Respect covered their Father: That Noah when he awoke, having understood what had passed, cursed Canaan, who was the first Author of this indecency. Others are of opinion2, that Noah, not knowing how to do any thing more sensibly displeasing to his Son Ham, than by cursing Canaan, resolved thus to punish him in the person of his Son. Some, instead of Cursed be Canaan, a servant of Servants shall he be unto his brethren, read, Cursed be Ham, &c. or supply, cursed be the Father of Canaan: The effect of Noah’s curse appeared in the Anathema pronounced by God against the Canaanites, and in the severity wherewith he required his People to treat them, when they had made a conquest of their Country. The Canaanites were not reduced only to suffer Vide Deut. vii. 2, 26. xiii. 15. and xx. 17. Vide Lev. xvii. 25. Deut. xviii. 9. and xx. 16, 17. Gen. x. 15, 16, 17.the most cruel slavery, but were intirely extirpated, put to the Sword, or driven out of their own Land.
The Posterity of Canaan was very numerous. His eldest Son was Sidon; who at least founded, and peopled the City of Sidon, and was the Father of the Sidonians and Phœnicians. Canaan had besides ten Sons, who were the Fathers of so many People dwelling in Palestine, and in part of Syria, namely the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgasites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and Hamathites. Of each of these People we shall say something under their particular Articles. ticles. It is believed, that Canaan lived and died in Palestine, which from his name was commonly called the Land of Canaan, and formerly his Tomb was shewn there, of five and twenty Feet in length, in a Cave belonging to the mountain of Leopards, as they termed it, not far from Jerusalem.
The Mahometans are of Opinion, that Canaan perished by the Waters of the Deluge; he refusing to go into the Ark. Mahomet makes God speak to Noah after the following manner: Take and carry with you into the ark two couples of all creatures male and female, and all your family, excepting Him, who has already been condemned by your own mouth (that is to say Canaan). Receive likewise with you the faithful, and even unbelievers; but of these very few shall enter. In pursuance of this Command Noah admitted fourscore persons into the Ark, and observing that his Grandson Canaan did not embark with him, and as yet not knowing that he was of the number of Unbelievers, he called to him, Come aboard with us, my Son, and be not among Infidels. Canaan replied, I will save my self upon the Mountain, where the water will not reach me. But Noah answered, Nothing but the Mercy of God can save you. While they were thus talking together, a Wave separated them, and covered Canaan, who was immediately drowned. After this manner Mahomet corrupts the holy Scriptures, by mingling his own imaginations with them.
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