"And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Ham Meaning in the Bible
Ham
boy
Ham means "Hot; Warm; Burnt", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Ham appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 9:22 is the passage most often tied to it. Ham's story teaches the profound importance of honoring those who have gone before us — even in their weakness. How we respond to the failures of others reveals our own character.
Is Ham in the Bible?
Yes — Ham appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 9:22.
Pronunciation:/HAM/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHot; Warm; Burnt
What does Ham mean?
Ham is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Hot; Warm; Burnt". Ham means "hot" or "warm" in Hebrew. He was the second son of Noah and the father of Canaan, Cush, Mizraim (Egypt), and Put — making him the ancestor of many of Africa's and the Middle East's ancient peoples.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Ham mean in the Bible?
Ham means "Hot; Warm; Burnt" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Ham means "hot" or "warm" in Hebrew. He was the second son of Noah and the father of Canaan, Cush, Mizraim (Egypt), and Put — making him the ancestor of many of Africa's and the Middle East's ancient peoples.
Ham survived the Flood with his family aboard the ark, but afterward he dishonored his father Noah by seeing his nakedness and telling his brothers rather than covering him. When Noah awoke, he pronounced a curse — not on Ham directly, but on Ham's son Canaan.
Despite this incident, Ham's descendants built some of the ancient world's most powerful civilizations. Cush fathered Nimrod, the mighty hunter and builder of Babel and Nineveh. Mizraim's descendants became the Egyptians. These empires shaped world history for millennia.
Ham's story raises important questions about family dynamics, honor, and the consequences of our actions on future generations. It also illustrates how the choices of one generation can have far-reaching effects.
Where does Ham appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Ham is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 9:22. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Ham?
Ham has 3 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Ham?
Ham is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Ham?
Ham's story teaches the profound importance of honoring those who have gone before us — even in their weakness. How we respond to the failures of others reveals our own character.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Ham:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Word Meaning
Strength (עֹז (oz))
Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
Strong's
Strong's H5797 — Strength
עֹז (oz) • Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
Word Meaning
Heaven (שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim) / οὐρανός (Ouranos))
God's dwelling place and the eternal home of believers
Strong's
Strong's H8064 — Heaven (Shamayim)
שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) • The heights above — the sky, the cosmic realm, and God's dwelling place.
Personality Quiz
Which Hebrews 11 Hero of Faith Are You?
Free KJV quiz on the Hebrews 11 hall of faith — Abraham, Noah, Sarah or Rahab? D
Verses About
Bible Verses About Strength
10 curated KJV verses
What names are related to Ham?
Names like Ham
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Hot; Warm; Burnt" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Ham
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Ham
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Ham name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Ham appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 9:22.
Ham means "Hot; Warm; Burnt." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 9:22, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Ham comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Hot; Warm; Burnt." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 9:22.
Common questions about the name Ham
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Ham?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Ham?
You can read every verse where Ham appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.