When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
These [are] the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
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.
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.
Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 11:8
Genesis 11:8 is part of the narrative known as the Tower of Babel, which is set in the generations following the Great Flood. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the primeval history of the Bible, which seeks to explain the origins of human civilization and the diversity of languages and nations.
Themes of Genesis 11:8 include:
1. **Human Pride and Ambition**: The people of Babel sought to build a city and a tower "whose top may reach unto heaven" (Genesis 11:4), an act of hubris that challenged God's authority and sought to make a name for themselves.
2. **Divine Judgment**: God responds to human arrogance by confusing their language, which leads to the abandonment of the city and tower project, symbolizing divine retribution for human overreach.
3. **Dispersion of Peoples**: The scattering of the people across the earth is a direct consequence of their actions, which explains the biblical perspective on the origin of different nations and languages.
4. **Loss of Unity**: The unity that enabled the people to commence such a grand project becomes the source of their downfall, as their inability to communicate leads to division and dispersion.
5. **Sovereignty of God**: The narrative underscores God's sovereignty over human endeavors, demonstrating that He can frustrate human plans that are contrary to His will.
The historical context reflects ancient Near Eastern practices of building ziggurats, which were massive temple complexes dedicated to gods, often with the intention of reaching the heavens. The Tower of Babel story serves as an etiology, providing a religious explanation for the existence of multiple languages and cultures in the world, a reality that the ancient Israelites would have been familiar with.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
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.
Strong's Number: H6327 There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: פּוּץ Transliteration: pûwts Pronunciation: poots Description: a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse); break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.
Strong's Number: H8033 There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁם Transliteration: shâm Pronunciation: shawm Description: a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, אֲשֶׁר); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence; in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither.
Strong's Number: H6440 There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: פָּנִים Transliteration: pânîym Pronunciation: paw-neem' Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
Strong's Number: H776 There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֶרֶץ Transliteration: ʼerets Pronunciation: eh'-rets Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
Strong's Number: H2308 There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: חָדַל Transliteration: châdal Pronunciation: khaw-dal' Description: a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle; cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want.
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.
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.