After the flood, Noah began farming, planted a vineyard, drank the wine, became drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent; when he awoke he learned what his son Ham had done.
Genesis 9 shows Noah starting over as a cultivator of the ground. He planted grapes and made wine, and the alcohol overtook him. The account also records how Shem and Japheth covered their drunken father, and how Noah responded when he learned what had happened. Les Feldick points out that these events may have been the first use of alcohol in Scripture.
Genesis 9:20-24 — This is the direct biblical account of what happened to Noah after the flood: his farming, drunkenness, and the response of his sons.
In Genesis 9:20-21, after the flood, Noah began to be an husbandman and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent. Verse 22 says Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brethren outside. Verse 23 records that Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, covering their father without seeing him. Verse 24 says Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
Les Feldick notes that after the flood, Noah and his three sons were instructed to repopulate the earth and cultivate it (Clip 0). He observes that the biblical account records the first indication of alcohol use, as Noah planted a vineyard and drank wine (Clip 1). Les says Noah was a man of faith who found grace in God's eyes and survived the flood, yet alcohol got to him and he passed out, uncovered in his tent (Clip 2). Les also stresses that God does not gloss over the failures of His choicest servants, and he applies the passage to modern society (Clips 1, 2, 7). He suggests it is possible that before the flood there was no fermentation and, as a result of the changes brought by the flood, Noah may not have realized the effect of the wine (Clip 0).
After the flood, Noah, his three sons, and their families were instructed to repopulate the earth and begin cultivating it (Clip 0). Noah began to be an husbandman and planted a vineyard (Genesis 9:20, Clip 1). Les observes that the first product of grapes is wine, and this is the first indication of alcohol use in Scripture (Clip 1).
Scripture simply says Noah drank the wine and was drunken (Genesis 9:21). Les Feldick discusses the possibility that before the flood there was no fermentation and no mention of alcohol, and that changes brought by the flood may have meant Noah did not realize what the wine would do to him (Clip 0). However, Les also says the Scripture is clear that alcohol got to him and he was drunk to the point of passing out (Clip 2).
Noah was uncovered within his tent after passing out. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on their shoulders, walked backward, and covered Noah without seeing him. When Noah woke up, he knew what his younger son had done (Genesis 9:22-24; Clips 2, 7).
Les points out that God does not cover up the failures of His choicest servants—Abraham, David, Moses, and now Noah—but sets them before us (Clip 1). He notes that even this great man of faith and grace was overcome by alcohol, and that the account is especially relevant today since the subject is everywhere in our society (Clips 2, 7). Les also places the flood in biblical timeline, about 1600 years after Adam at about 2400 B.C., in a different set of circumstances after the flood (Clips 3, 5).
Post-Flood Instructions and Possible Absence of Fermentation
Les explains that after the flood Noah and his family were told to repopulate and cultivate the earth, and he raises the possibility that fermentation did not exist before the flood.
Noah Becomes a Farmer and Plants a Vineyard
Les notes that Noah became a husbandman and planted a vineyard, and that Scripture shows the first instance of alcohol use when it describes what the wine did to him.
Noah's Drunkenness and Ham's Reaction
Les describes how alcohol overcame Noah to the point of unconsciousness and how Ham saw his nakedness and told his brothers.
Post-Flood Conditions Changed
Les explains that after the flood everything was different, with pre-flood man and animals not being carnivorous, providing context for the change that may have affected fermentation.
Noah as Preacher of Righteousness
Les mentions that the New Testament calls Noah a preacher of righteousness and that his ark-building was a 120-year sermon, showing the character of Noah before his failure.
Flood Timeline
Les places the flood at about 2400 B.C., roughly 1600 years after Adam, helping to situate Noah's post-flood life in biblical history.
Noah's Pre-Flood Character
Les explains that Noah was just, a believer, and 'perfect' in the sense of spiritual maturity, not sinless perfection—highlighting the contrast with his later fall.
Shem and Japheth Cover Noah
Les describes how Shem and Japheth covered their drunken father without looking, and how Noah awoke and knew what had been done.
Genesis 9:20: And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
Shows Noah's post-flood occupation as a farmer planting a vineyard.
Genesis 9:21: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
Records Noah's drunkenness and exposure in his tent.
Genesis 9:22: And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
Describes Ham's reaction to seeing his father's nakedness.
Genesis 9:23: And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
Shows how Shem and Japheth covered Noah without looking at him.
Genesis 9:24: And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
Records Noah's awakening and awareness of what had occurred.
Yes. Genesis 9:21 says Noah drank of the wine and was drunken, and Les Feldick notes he was drunk to the point of passing out (Clip 2).
Ham saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside the tent. Shem and Japheth then covered Noah without looking (Genesis 9:22-23).
According to Les Feldick, this passage in Genesis 9 seems to be the first instance of alcohol use, although he does not argue it could not have been earlier (Clip 1).
Watch the Teaching: Understanding the Tower of Babel: Genesis 9-11 Explained