Genesis 11:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Behold, the people {H5971} is one {H259}, and they have all one {H259} language {H8193}; and this they begin {H2490} to do {H6213}: and now nothing {H3808}{H3605} will be restrained {H1219} from them, which they have imagined {H2161} to do {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai said, “Look, the people are united, they all have a single language, and see what they’re starting to do! At this rate, nothing they set out to accomplish will be impossible for them!

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, then nothing they devise will be beyond them.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In [Genesis 11:6](/genesis/11-6 "The LORD's assessment of humanity's unity at Babel"), the LORD observes humanity's unified state and their collective ambition at the [Tower of Babel](/genesis/11-4 "The construction of the Tower of Babel"). He notes their single language and common purpose, concluding that if left unchecked, their self-directed unity would lead to limitless human presumption and defiance against divine will, necessitating immediate intervention.

### CONTEXT
Following the [Great Flood](/genesis/7-1 "The account of the Great Flood"), humanity, descended from Noah, had settled in the plain of Shinar. Despite God's explicit command to "[be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah after the Flood")" ([Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah after the Flood")), they chose to congregate. Their collective ambition, fueled by a single language, led them to propose building a city and a tower "whose top may reach unto heaven" ([Genesis 11:4](/genesis/11-4 "The Tower of Babel project")). This project was not merely an architectural feat but a defiant act of self-glorification and an attempt to secure their own unity and prevent scattering, directly opposing God's divine directive for humanity's dispersion and stewardship of the earth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 11:6](/genesis/11-6 "The LORD's assessment of humanity's unity at Babel") opens with "And the LORD said," indicating a divine assessment and pronouncement from God's heavenly perspective. This is not a question but a statement of divine observation and judgment regarding humanity's state and intentions.

* **"Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language"**: This phrase highlights the formidable power inherent in human unity. The singularity of their purpose, amplified by their shared language, created an immense collective force. This unity, however, was directed towards a rebellious purpose—to establish human autonomy and make a name for themselves, rather than to glorify God or obey His command to fill the earth.
* **"and this they begin to do"**: This signifies that the project at Babel was not merely a thought or a proposal, but an active undertaking. Humanity had already commenced their defiant scheme, demonstrating their determined will to proceed independently of God's plan.
* **"and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do"**: This is the crux of God's concern. The Hebrew word for "imagined" is *yazam* (יָזַם), which carries the connotation of devising, scheming, or purposing, often with an underlying sense of evil intent or mischief. It implies a deliberate, determined plan, not just a casual thought. God's observation is not born of fear, but of His omniscient understanding of the trajectory of unchecked human pride and rebellion. If their unified, self-directed ambition were allowed to continue, humanity would reach a point of limitless presumption, potentially devising even greater acts of defiance and self-destruction, further entrenching themselves in sin and moving irrevocably away from God's redemptive purposes. This statement underscores the danger of human potential when unconstrained by divine will and serves as the divine justification for the subsequent intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Human Unity in Rebellion:** The narrative at Babel illustrates the destructive potential of human unity when it is directed against God, seeking to establish human autonomy and glory rather than divine glory.
* **Unchecked Ambition and Pride:** The verse highlights the inherent danger of human ambition when it is not submitted to God's will. Pride, seeking to "make a name for ourselves," inevitably leads to divine judgment and scattering, as seen in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs on pride and humility").
* **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention:** God's decisive observation and subsequent action in [Genesis 11:7](/genesis/11-7 "God confuses the languages at Babel") demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over human affairs. He intervenes to prevent humanity from reaching a point of no return in their rebellion, showcasing His control even over the most concerted human efforts.
* **Mercy in Judgment:** God's act of confusing languages, while a judgment, was also a merciful intervention. It limited humanity's capacity for organized evil and rebellion, preventing them from further entrenching themselves in sin and ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan.
* **The Origin of Nations and Languages:** Babel explains the diversification of human languages and the scattering of peoples across the earth, laying the groundwork for the later call of Abraham and the formation of a chosen people through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 11:6](/genesis/11-6 "The LORD's assessment of humanity's unity at Babel") serves as a timeless warning against the perils of collective human pride and unchecked ambition. It reminds us that true unity must be centered on God and His purposes, not on self-glorification or human autonomy. When humanity seeks to "make a name for ourselves" apart from God, it inevitably leads to divine intervention and fragmentation. This passage also reveals God's merciful nature, as His judgment at Babel was not merely punitive but also a preventative measure, limiting humanity's capacity for organized evil and preserving the possibility of redemption. Ultimately, it underscores the necessity of humility and submission to God's will, recognizing that our greatest potential is realized when aligned with His divine plan, not in defiance of it.

### FAQ
**Was God afraid of humanity's power at Babel?**

Answer: No, God is omnipotent and omniscient; He fears nothing. His statement in [Genesis 11:6](/genesis/11-6 "The LORD's assessment of humanity's unity at Babel") reflects His perfect understanding of the destructive trajectory of unchecked human sin and pride. He intervened not out of fear, but out of His holy character and His sovereign plan to limit evil and preserve humanity for His redemptive purposes.

**What does "nothing will be restrained from them" imply about human potential?**

Answer: This phrase implies that without divine intervention, humanity's unified will, fueled by pride and rebellion, would lead to boundless and increasingly destructive acts of defiance against God. It suggests that if left to their own devices, humans would pursue every imaginable scheme, no matter how impious or self-destructive, highlighting the inherent danger of human potential when unconstrained by divine authority and moral boundaries.

**How does the event at Babel relate to the command to "fill the earth"?**

Answer: The Tower of Babel project was a direct act of disobedience to God's command in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah after the Flood") for humanity to "[be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah after the Flood")". Instead of dispersing and populating the globe, they congregated in Shinar, seeking to establish a centralized, self-sufficient kingdom. God's subsequent confusion of languages and scattering of peoples ([Genesis 11:7-9](/genesis/11-7 "God confuses the languages at Babel")) was a divine enforcement of His original command, ensuring the earth would be populated.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The judgment at Babel, which resulted in the division of humanity through confused languages and scattered nations, finds its profound reversal and ultimate fulfillment in Christ. At Pentecost, described in [Acts 2](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/acts/2 "The Day of Pentecost"), the Holy Spirit descended, enabling disciples to speak in diverse languages, allowing people from "every nation under heaven" ([Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "People from every nation at Pentecost")) to understand the Gospel in their own tongues. This miraculous event symbolizes the undoing of Babel's curse: what was once a barrier to human unity became a means for the unified proclamation of God's redemptive message. Through Christ, the divisions of Babel are overcome, and a new humanity is formed, united not by a common earthly language or rebellious ambition, but by the one Spirit, speaking the one truth of the Gospel, and called to gather all nations into the one body of Christ ([Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ breaks down dividing walls")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.