Genesis 11:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Adonai came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} came down^{H3381} to see^{H7200} the city^{H5892} and the tower^{H4026}, which the children^{H1121} of men^{H120} builded^{H1129}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 11:5

**Themes:**

1. **Human Ambition vs. Divine Authority:** Genesis 11:5 reflects the theme of human ambition in building the Tower of Babel, which is seen as a direct challenge to God's authority. The people aim to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth, contrary to God's command to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1).

2. **Divine Inspection:** The verse highlights God's awareness of human activities, as He "comes down" to inspect the city and tower. This act underscores the idea that nothing escapes God's attention, and it sets the stage for His response to human pride and disobedience.

3. **Unity and Its Consequences:** The collective effort of the people in building the tower showcases human unity, but this unity is self-serving and not aligned with God's will. The subsequent events demonstrate that unity without God leads to confusion and dispersion.

**Historical Context:**

- **Post-Flood World:** The narrative of the Tower of Babel occurs in the post-diluvian era, after Noah's flood, when humanity was repopulating the earth.

- **Cultural Background:** The story likely reflects ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats, which were massive stepped temples that reached towards the heavens. These structures were central to the religious and social life of the city.

- **Early Human Civilization:** This period marks the development of early human civilizations in the Bible, with people settling in cities, developing advanced building techniques, and forming distinct cultural and linguistic identities.

- **Etiological Tale:** Genesis 11 serves as an etiological narrative, explaining the origins of different languages and the dispersion of peoples across the earth, a reality observed by ancient societies.

In summary, Genesis 11:5 captures a moment of divine inspection in response to human hubris and disobedience, illustrating the consequences of challenging God's plans and the limits of human unity apart from divine guidance. It provides a theological explanation for the diversity of languages and cultures in the ancient world.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4026
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִגְדָּל
   Transliteration: migdâl
   Pronunciation: mig-dawl'
   Description: also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה; from גָּדַל; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers; castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
7. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1129
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּנָה
   Transliteration: bânâh
   Pronunciation: baw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.