King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For this reason it is called Bavel [confusion] — because there Adonai confused the language of the whole earth, and from there Adonai scattered them all over the earth.
Berean Standard Bible:
That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.
American Standard Version:
Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Therefore is the name of it{H8034} called{H7121} Babel{H894}; because the LORD{H3068} did there confound{H1101} the language{H8193} of all the earth{H776}: and from thence did{H6327} the LORD{H3068} scatter them abroad{H6327} upon the face{H6440} of all the earth{H776}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 10:10
- And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 10:5
- By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Genesis 10:20
- These [are] the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, [and] in their nations.
Acts 17:26
- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
1 Corinthians 14:23
- If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
Genesis 10:25
- And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one [was] Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name [was] Joktan.
Genesis 10:31
- These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 11:9
**Themes:**
Genesis 11:9 is part of the Tower of Babel narrative, which explores themes of human pride, ambition, and the consequences of overreaching. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of collective arrogance when humans attempt to ascend to divine levels, challenging God's authority and unity. It also touches on the theme of linguistic and cultural diversity, presenting the origin of different languages and the dispersion of peoples as both a punishment and a divine strategy to limit human potential for self-destructive behavior.
**Historical Context:**
The historical context of Genesis 11:9 is rooted in the primeval history of the Bible, which includes stories that seek to explain the origins of various aspects of the world and human society. This verse is set in the post-Flood era when humanity is described as a single people with one language. The Tower of Babel story reflects a time when the population had grown and settled in the land of Shinar (Mesopotamia). The account is not corroborated by extrabiblical historical records, but it resonates with ancient Near Eastern motifs of ziggurats (stepped temples) and the quest for reaching the heavens.
In summary, Genesis 11:9 encapsulates the divine response to human hubris, resulting in the confusion of language and the scattering of peoples, which serves as an etiological myth explaining the diversity of languages and cultures in the world. This event marks a turning point in the biblical narrative, setting the stage for the call of Abraham and the beginning of God's particular relationship with the Hebrew people.
*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: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H894
There are 233 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּבֶל
Transliteration: Bâbel
Pronunciation: baw-bel'
Description: from בָּלַל; confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire; Babel, Babylon. - 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: H1101
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּלַל
Transliteration: bâlal
Pronunciation: baw-lal'
Description: a primitive root; (also denominatively from בְּלִיל) to fodder; to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder; anoint, confound, [idiom] fade, mingle, mix (self), give provender, temper. - Strong's Number: H8193
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂפָה
Transliteration: sâphâh
Pronunciation: saw-faw'
Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. - 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: 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: 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.