The prophecy of Noah was no arbitrary denunciation of wrath or declaration of favor. It did not fix the character and destiny of his sons. But it showed what would be the result of the course of life they had severally chosen and the character they had developed. It was an expression of God's purpose toward them and their posterity in view of their own character and conduct. As a rule, children inherit the dispositions and tendencies of their parents, and imitate their example; so that the sins of the parents are practiced by the children from generation to generation. Thus the vileness and irreverence of Ham were reproduced in his posterity, bringing a curse upon them for many generations. "One sinner destroyeth much good." Ecclesiastes 9:18.

Noas profeti var ikke en egenmægtig nedkaldelse af Guds vrede eller forjættelse om hans gunst. Den fastsatte ikke sønnernes karakter eller skæbne på forhånd. Men den viste, hvad resultatet ville blive af den livsbane, de hver især havde valgt, og af den karakter, de havde udviklet. Den var et udtryk for Guds hensigt med dem og deres efterkommere under hensyn til deres karakter og opførsel. Som regel arver børn deres forældres tilbøjeligheder og anlæg og efterligner deres eksempel, så at forældrenes synder øves af børnene fra slægt til slægt. Således øvedes Kams ondskab og uærbødighed af hans efterkommere og bragte forbandelse over dem i mange slægtled. "En eneste synder kan ødelægge meget godt." Præd. 9, 18.