Page:The negro's origin.djvu/32

30 55th of the same Chapter. In Ezra v-1, the prophet Zechariah is said to be the "son of Iddo," when Zechariah himself declares he was his "grand-son."

The same word has even a wider signification. The plural of it uniformly denotes "posterity, descendants." In the use of all these nouns of relationship, the facts of the context must define their limit; they themselves are but general expressions of some kindred. Apply this rule to Gen. ix. 24, and it will read— not "his younger son," but "his younger grand-son." This is perfectly allowable, as is shown, while it gives harmony to the whole affair. By reason of the punishment inflicted the crime is fixed upon Canaan; and this fact of the context fixes and defines the full scope of the Hebrew, בֵּן. Canaan was the younger grandson as a matter of fact, and words must ever accord with facts. But we would not have it to be made read thus: let this take its part with all other similar places found in our venerable translation—let the context explain here as elsewhere.

But, says one, the offense is plainly declared to have been committed by Ham. We contend that no offense can be proved from verse 22: "And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the