In Genesis, Ham is identified as the father of Canaan. Genesis 9:18 introduces Noah’s three sons and specifically says that Ham was the father of Canaan.
The passage follows the flood story and describes an incident involving Noah, Ham, and Noah’s other sons. Ham sees Noah uncovered inside his tent, while Shem and Japheth cover their father without looking at him. Noah then pronounces a curse on Canaan, not directly on Ham.
This passage has been the subject of extensive historical debate and misuse. In particular, later interpreters wrongly applied the so-called “curse of Ham” to justify slavery and racism. The biblical text itself curses Canaan and does not mention Africa, skin color, or racial categories.
Ham is also listed with Shem and Japheth in Genesis 6:10 and elsewhere as one of Noah’s three sons. The names of these three brothers became important in later genealogical and geographical interpretations of the biblical world.