Back to Genesis 11

Genesis 11:1-32

The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. As they traveled from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”

Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood. Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah. Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber. Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg. Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu. Peleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug. Reu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor. Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah. Nahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot. Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive. Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah. Sarai was barren. She had no child. Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there. The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

    As they traveled from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there.

    They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.

    They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”

    Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.

    Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do.

    Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

    So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.

    Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

    This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood.

    Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah.

    Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber.

    Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg.

    Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu.

    Peleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug.

    Reu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor.

    Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah.

    Nahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

    Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

    Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.

    Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive.

    Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah.

    Sarai was barren. She had no child.

    Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there.

    The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.

  • KJV King James Version

    And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

    And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

    And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

    And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

    And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

    And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

    Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

    So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

    Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

    These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

    And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

    And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

    And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:

    And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

    And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

    And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

    And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

    And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

    And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

    Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

    And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.

    And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

    But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

    And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

    And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

    And they said one to another: 'Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly.' And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.

    And they said: 'Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, with its top in heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.'

    And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

    And the LORD said: 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.

    Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.'

    So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off to build the city.

    Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

    These are the generations of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and begot Arpachshad two years after the flood.

    And Shem lived after he begot Arpachshad five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Arpachshad lived five and thirty years, and begot Shelah.

    And Arpachshad lived after he begot Shelah four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Shelah lived thirty years, and begot Eber.

    And Shelah lived after he begot Eber four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begot Peleg.

    And Eber lived after he begot Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu.

    And Peleg lived after he begot Reu two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begot Serug.

    And Reu lived after he begot Serug two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor.

    And Serug lived after he begot Nahor two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begot Terah.

    And Nahor lived after he begot Terah a hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters.

    And Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

    Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begot Lot.

    And Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.

    And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

    And Sarai was barren; she had no child.

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

    And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.

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Examined in Scripture Analysis

Science (11)

Historical claims about the natural world, weighed against the scientific record.

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Contradictions (9)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

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Cross-references (162)

  • Acts 2:6 (v1) When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.
  • Deuteronomy 1:28 (v4) Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and…
  • Zephaniah 3:9 (v1) For then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on Yahweh’s name, to serve him shoulder to shoulder.
  • John 5:44 (v4) How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
  • Luke 1:51 (vv4, 6, 8) He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Show all 100 cross-references
  • Psalms 2:1-4 (v6) Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together,…
  • Psalms 33:13-14 (v5) Yahweh looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
  • Nehemiah 9:7 (vv28, 31) You are Yahweh, the God who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, gave him the name of Abraham,
  • Genesis 18:21 (v5) I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”
  • Psalms 33:10 (v7) Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.
  • Genesis 10:5 (vv7, 9) Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.
  • Genesis 10:10 (vv2, 9) The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • John 3:13 (v5) No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.
  • Genesis 10:20 (vv7, 9) These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.
  • Acts 17:26 (vv6, 9) He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the…
  • Deuteronomy 9:1 (v4) Hear, Israel! You are to pass over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and…
  • Daniel 4:30 (v4) The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the…
  • Genesis 3:22 (vv6–7) Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the…
  • Acts 7:2-4 (vv28, 31) He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in…
  • Genesis 1:26 (v7) God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky,…
  • Genesis 11:1 (v6) The whole earth was of one language and of one speech.
  • Genesis 14:10 (v3) Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to…
  • Job 5:12-13 (v7) He frustrates the plans of the crafty, So that their hands can’t perform their enterprise. He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the…
  • Psalms 49:11-13 (v4) Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after…
  • Proverbs 10:7 (v4) The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:23 (vv7, 9) If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in,…
  • Exodus 1:14 (v3) and they made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in…
  • 2 Samuel 8:13 (v4) David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.
  • Psalms 55:9 (v7) Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
  • Jeremiah 23:23-24 (v5) “Am I a God at hand,” says Yahweh, “and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says Yahweh.…
  • Daniel 1:2 (v2) The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of…
  • Hebrews 4:13 (v5) There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an…
  • Genesis 10:25 (vv8, 9, 16) To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan.
  • Genesis 10:32 (vv7–8) These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth…
  • Genesis 12:4 (vv27, 31) So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
  • Genesis 15:7 (vv28, 31) He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
  • Genesis 6:4 (v4) The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them.…
  • Genesis 24:10 (v31) The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to…
  • Exodus 2:3 (v3) When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and…
  • Exodus 19:11 (v5) and be ready for the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.
  • Joshua 24:2-3 (v31) Joshua said to all the people, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father…
  • Ecclesiastes 11:9 (v6) Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the…
  • Daniel 4:11 (v4) The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth.
  • Joshua 24:2 (vv22, 24, 26) Joshua said to all the people, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father…
  • Genesis 6:5 (v6) Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually…
  • Genesis 9:19 (v6) These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
  • Genesis 11:8-9 (v4) So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called…
  • Genesis 11:32–12:1 (v31) The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran. Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and…
  • Genesis 14:1 (v2) In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,
  • Genesis 17:15 (v29) God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name will be Sarah.
  • Genesis 22:20 (v29) After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
  • Exodus 19:20 (v5) Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 (v8) When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according…
  • Psalms 11:4 (v5) Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
  • Psalms 92:9 (v4) For, behold, your enemies, Yahweh, for, behold, your enemies shall perish. All the evildoers will be scattered.
  • Daniel 4:22 (v4) it is you, O king, that have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of…
  • 1 Corinthians 14:2-11 (v7) For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he…
  • Hebrews 10:24 (v3) Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
  • James 5:1 (v3) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
  • Genesis 11:31 (vv27–28) Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of…
  • Genesis 8:21 (v6) Yahweh smelled the pleasant aroma. Yahweh said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake because the…
  • Genesis 10:19 (v31) The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha.
  • Genesis 14:12 (v27) They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
  • Genesis 27:43 (v31) Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.
  • Genesis 42:23 (v7) They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.
  • Deuteronomy 4:27 (v4) Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where Yahweh will lead you away.
  • 2 Samuel 12:31 (v3) He brought out the people who were in it, and put them under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them pass through the…
  • Isaiah 9:10 (v3) “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their…
  • Isaiah 11:11 (v2) It will happen in that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from…
  • Isaiah 41:6-7 (v3) Everyone helps his neighbor. They say to their brothers, “Be strong!” So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smoothes with the…
  • Jeremiah 50:1-46 (v9) The word that Yahweh spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet. “Declare among the nations…
  • Zechariah 5:11 (v2) He said to me, “To build her a house in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will be set there in her own place.”
  • Acts 2:4-11 (v7) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Now there…
  • Hebrews 3:13 (v3) but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
  • Luke 3:35 (vv16, 18, 20) the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
  • Genesis 11:4 (vv3, 8) They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be…
  • Genesis 24:15 (vv29, 31) Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother,…
  • Genesis 9:7 (v11) Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.”
  • Genesis 10:31-32 (v9) These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations. These are the families of the sons of…
  • Genesis 11:7 (v3) Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
  • Genesis 11:26-28 (v31) Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah…
  • Genesis 12:4-5 (v26) So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai…
  • Genesis 20:12 (v29) Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
  • Exodus 3:8 (v5) I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a…
  • Exodus 5:7-18 (v3) “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. You shall require from…
  • Exodus 19:18 (v5) All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole…
  • Deuteronomy 28:49 (v7) Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies: a nation whose language you will not…
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17-27 (v10) The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah…
  • 1 Chronicles 1:26-27 (v26) Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram (also called Abraham).
  • Job 12:20 (v7) He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
  • Psalms 2:4 (v7) He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
  • Psalms 64:5 (v3) They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?”
  • Proverbs 1:11 (v3) If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lay in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:1 (v3) I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity.
  • Isaiah 5:5 (v3) Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall, and it…
  • Isaiah 13:1-14 (v9) The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand,…
  • Isaiah 19:18 (v1) In that day, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Yahweh of Armies. One will be…
  • Isaiah 65:3 (v3) a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense on bricks;
  • Jeremiah 5:15 (v7) Behold, I will bring a nation on you from far away, house of Israel,” says Yahweh. “It is a mighty nation. It is an ancient nation, a…
  • Nahum 3:14 (v3) Draw water for the siege. Strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay, and tread the mortar. Make the brick kiln strong.

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (162 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (29 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, 30, 31 1. And the whole earth was of one language.…

1. And the whole earth was of one language. Whereas mention had before been made of Babylon in a single word, Moses now more largely explains whence it derived its name. For this is a truly memorable history, in which we may perceive the greatness of men’s obstinacy against God, and the little profit they receive from his judgments. And although at first sight the atrocity of the evil does not appear; yet the punishment which follows it, testifies how highly God was displeased with that which these men attempted. They who conjecture that the tower was built with the intent that is should prove a refuge and protections if, at any time, God should determine to overwhelm the earth with a deluge, have no other guide, that I can see, but the dream of their own brain. For the words of Moses signify no such thing: nothing, indeed, is here noticed, except their mad ambitions and proud contempt of God. ‘Let us build a tower (they say) whose top may reach to heaven, and let us get ourselves a name.’ We see the design and the aim of the undertaking. For whatsoever might happen, they wish to have an immortal name on earth; and thus they build, as if in opposition to the will of God. And doubtless ambition not only does injury to men, but exalts itself even against God. To erect a citadel was not in itself so great a crime; but to raise an eternal monument to themselves, which might endure throughout all ages, was a proof of headstrong pride, joined with contempt of God. And hence originated the fable of the giants who, as the poets have feigned, heaped mountains upon mountains, in order to drag down Jove from his celestial throne. This allegory is not very remote from the impious counsel to which Moses alludes; for as soon as mortals, forgetful of themselves; are inflated above measure, it is certain that like the giants, they wage war with God. This they do not openly profess, yet it cannot be otherwise than that every one who transgresses his prescribed bounds, makes a direct attack upon God.

With respect to the time in which this event happened, a fragment of Berosus is extant, (if, indeed, Berosus is to be accounted the author of such trifles,) where, among other things, a hundred and thirty years are reckoned from the deluge to the time when they began to build the tower. This opinion, though deficient in competent authority, has been preferred, by some, to that which commonly obtained among the Jews, and which places about three hundred and forty years between the deluge and the building of the tower. Nor is there anything more plausible in what others relate; namely, that these builders undertook the work, because men were even then dispersed far and wide, and many colonies were already formed; whence they apprehended that as their offspring was daily increasing, they must, in a short time, migrate to a still greater distance. But to this argument we may oppose the fact, that the peculiar blessing of God was to be traced in this multiplication of mankind. Moreover, Moses seems to set aside all controversy. For after he has mentioned Arphaxad as the third of the sons of Shem, he then names Peleg, his great-grandson, in whose days the languages were divided. But from a computation of the years which he sets down, it plainly appears that one century only intervened. It is, however, to be noted, that the languages are not said to have been divided immediately after the birth of Peleg, and that no definite time was ever specified. It must, indeed, have added greatly to the weight of Noah’s sufferings, when he heard of this wicked counsel, which had been taken by his posterity. And it is not to be doubted that he was wounded with the deepest grief, when he beheld them, with devoted minds, rushing to their own destruction. But the Lord thus exercised the holy man, even in extreme old age, to teach us not to be discouraged by a continual succession of conflicts. If any one should prefer the opinion commonly received among the Jews; the division of the earth must be referred to the first transmigrations, when men began to be distributed in various regions: but what has been already recorded in the preceding chapter, respecting the monarchy of Nimrod, is repugnant to this interpretation. Still a middle opinion may be entertained; namely, that the confusion of tongues may perhaps have happened in the extreme old age of Peleg. Now he lived nearly two hundred and forty years; nor will it be absurd to suppose that the empire founded by Nimrod endured two or three centuries. I certainly, — as in a doubtful case, — freely admit that a longer space of time might intervene between the deluge and the design of building the tower. Moreover, when Moses says, ‘the earth was of one lip,’ he commends the peculiar kindness of God, in having willed that the sacred bond of society among men far separated from each other should be retained, by their possessing a common language among themselves. And truly the diversity of tongues is to be regarded as a prodigy. For since language is the impress of the mind, how does it come to pass, that men, who are partakers of the same reason, and who are born for social life, do not communicate with each other in the same language? This defect, therefore, seeing that it is repugnant to nature, Moses declares to be adventitious; and pronounces the division of tongues to be a punishment, divinely inflicted upon men, because they impiously conspired against God. Community of language ought to have promoted among them consent in religion; but this multitude of whom Moses speaks, after they had alienated themselves from the pure worship of God, and the sacred assembly of the faithful, coalesce to excite war against God. Therefore by the just vengeance of God their tongues were divided.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29, 31 In the year one hundred and thirty after the…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 Earth is oft put for its inhabitants, as Gen…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv1, 5, 10, 27 The close of the foregoing chapter tells us that…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv1–26 And the whole earth was of one language, and…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 27 The distinction between the sons of God and the…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 26, 29, 31, 32 All the inhabitants of the earth, speaking one language
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 5, 10, 27 Gen 11:1-2. The whole earth was of one language…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1, 10, 27 - The Confusion of Tongues
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 20, 27, 29 Speech. Probably Hebrew; in which language we have the…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On vv1, 10 The Tower of Babel, the Confusion of Languages, and…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 28, 31 land of Shinar--The fertile valley watered by the Euphrates…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES, Gen_11:1-9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 1. the whole earth] i.e. the inhabitants of the…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 (1) The whole earth.—That is, all mankind. After giving…
C. H. Mackintosh 1880 · Public Domain On v1 Genesis 11
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 And the whole earth. Ie. the entire population of…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 27 Of one language
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v27 Gen_11:27-32; Gen_12:1-5
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv1, 10, 27 The whole earth.] The then known world with all…
The Sermon Bible 1900 · Public Domain On v1 The New Testament is always converting into blessings the…
F. W. Grant 1903 · Public Domain On v10 Subdivision 4. (Gen 11:10-21.) Abraham.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 The Tower of Babel. The Descendants of Shem to…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv1, 9, 10, 31 one language
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 CHAPTER 11:1-9 The Tower of Babel and the Scattering…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv1, 5, 10, 27 The building of the Tower
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 This word shows that the writer is beginning a…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 11:1-9 The story of the unfinished tower carries forward…
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