Genesis 11:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 11:9 serves as the climactic conclusion to the Tower of Babel narrative, explaining the divine intervention that resulted in the diversification of human languages and the subsequent global dispersal of humanity. This pivotal verse not only provides an etiological account for the name "Babel" but also underscores God's sovereign authority over human ambition and His direct action to ensure the fulfillment of His post-Flood command for humanity to spread across and populate the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 11:9 immediately follows humanity's audacious project to construct a city and a tower "whose top may reach unto heaven" (as described in [Genesis 11:4](/genesis/11-4 "The ambition of the Tower of Babel")). This endeavor was driven by a dual motivation: to "make us a name" and to prevent being "scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." This collective human enterprise, characterized by unified language and purpose, stood in direct defiance of God's earlier command to Noah and his descendants to "[be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to fill the earth")" ([Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to fill the earth")), which inherently implied dispersal and population of the globe. God's observation of their unified language and singular, prideful objective led to His decisive intervention, as He recognized the boundless potential for human rebellion and self-exaltation apart from His divine order.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tower of Babel narrative is set in the land of Shinar, identified with ancient Mesopotamia, a region renowned for its monumental ziggurats—massive, stepped temple towers. These structures were central to Mesopotamian religious and civic life, often dedicated to deities and serving as symbols of human power and connection to the divine. The biblical account, however, subverts this human aspiration, portraying the tower not as a pathway to the heavens but as a monument to human pride and rebellion. The cultural context highlights a post-Flood humanity, unified in language and purpose, attempting to establish a centralized, self-sufficient kingdom, a direct challenge to God's desire for humanity to spread out and steward the earth. This narrative also reflects the ancient world's understanding of the origins of diverse peoples and languages, providing a theological explanation for a phenomenon observed universally.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 11:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** as God intervenes decisively to thwart human plans that oppose His will, demonstrating His ultimate authority over creation and human history. It vividly illustrates **Human Pride and Rebellion**, portraying humanity's persistent inclination to seek glory and security apart from God, echoing the fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity"). The verse also serves as the biblical **Origin of Languages and Nations**, explaining the linguistic diversity and the subsequent formation of distinct ethnic groups and nations, setting the stage for God's redemptive plan through the call of Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Call of Abraham and the Covenant Promise"), which begins the process of gathering a chosen people from these scattered nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 11:9 provides the etymology for the city's name, "Babel," and details the LORD's decisive actions that brought an end to humanity's unified, rebellious project. The verse highlights two primary divine interventions: the confounding of language and the subsequent scattering of humanity.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Babel (Hebrew, _Bâbel'_):** From H1101 (bâlal), meaning "confusion." This wordplay is central to the narrative, reinterpreting the likely original Babylonian meaning of "Bab-ili" ("gate of God") to emphasize God's act of confusion. The name itself becomes a perpetual reminder of divine judgment against human pride.
* **confound (Hebrew, _bâlal'_):** A primitive root meaning "to mix" or "to overflow," but here specifically "to confound." This word directly describes the LORD's action of disrupting human communication, rendering their unified efforts impossible. It signifies a divine act of disarray and impediment.
* **scatter (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** A primitive root meaning "to dash in pieces" or "to disperse." This term vividly portrays the LORD's active role in breaking apart humanity's unified presence and spreading them across the globe. It signifies a forceful, deliberate dispersal, directly fulfilling God's earlier command to populate the earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore is the name of it called Babel":** This clause provides the etymological explanation for the city's name. The name "Babel" is directly linked to the divine action that occurred there, transforming a monument of human pride into a memorial of divine judgment and linguistic confusion.
* **"because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth":** This is the core reason for the city's name and the pivotal divine intervention. God, identified by His covenant name "LORD" (Yahweh), actively intervened to disrupt the single language shared by all humanity. This act directly undermined their ability to cooperate on their rebellious project, breaking their collective unity and hindering their defiance.
* **"and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth":** This clause describes the direct consequence of the linguistic confusion. Because mutual understanding was lost, continued cohabitation and unified action became impossible. The LORD's active scattering of humanity from Babel ensured their dispersal across the globe, simultaneously serving as a judgment on their pride and fulfilling His original command for humanity to fill and subdue the earth.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 11:9 employs several significant literary devices. **Wordplay** is central, as the Hebrew name "Babel" (בָּבֶל, _Bâbel_) is deliberately linked to the Hebrew verb "confound" (בָּלַל, _bâlal_). This linguistic connection underscores the divine action and redefines the city's identity from a potential "gate of God" to a place of "confusion." **Etymology** is also a key device, as the verse provides a theological explanation for the origin of diverse languages and the name of a significant ancient city. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Divine Intervention as a Narrative Device**, where God's direct, active role in human affairs serves as the primary driver of the plot's resolution, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over human destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 11:9 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering sovereignty over human endeavors and His commitment to His divine purposes, even when met with collective human rebellion. The narrative demonstrates that unity built upon human pride and defiance of God's will is inherently fragile and ultimately unsustainable. God's intervention at Babel, though a judgment, simultaneously served His broader redemptive plan by dispersing humanity, setting the stage for the formation of distinct nations, and preparing the way for the call of Abraham and the establishment of a chosen people through whom all nations would eventually be blessed. This act of scattering, born from judgment, paradoxically facilitated the global spread of humanity as intended by the Creator.

* [Deuteronomy 32:8](/deuteronomy/32-8 "God's division of the nations")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "God determines the boundaries of nations")
* [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Multitude from every nation worshipping God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 11:9 offers timeless lessons regarding the dangers of collective human pride and the futility of attempting to establish a kingdom or a reputation apart from God. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our own unity, whether in families, communities, or nations. Are our collective efforts aimed at self-glorification, or are they aligned with God's purposes? While the confusion of languages was a divine judgment, it also underscores God's intricate design and the rich diversity of cultures and languages that emerged from this dispersal, revealing His delight in variety within unity. True and lasting unity, therefore, can only be found when centered on God's will and purposes, not on human ambition or a desire for self-sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our modern society, or even our personal lives, exhibit a "Babel spirit" of building for self-glory rather than for God's purposes?**
* **How does the diversity of languages and cultures, stemming from Babel, ultimately point to God's creative wisdom and His redemptive plan for all peoples?**
* **What does God's direct intervention at Babel teach us about His sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling His own plans, regardless of human opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why did God confuse the languages at Babel?**

Answer: God confused the languages at Babel primarily to thwart humanity's unified rebellion and prideful attempt to build a city and tower that would "make us a name" and prevent their dispersal across the earth. This project directly defied God's command to "fill the earth" ([Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to fill the earth")) and represented a collective human effort to establish security and unity apart from Him. By confusing their language, God prevented their continued unified defiance and ensured His plan for humanity to spread across the globe would be realized, ultimately leading to the formation of distinct nations, as described in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "The Table of Nations").

**Is the biblical "Babel" the same as ancient Babylon?**

Answer: Yes, the biblical "Babel" is indeed the same location that later became known as Babylon. The narrative in [Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "The Tower of Babel") provides the etymological origin story for the name of this significant Mesopotamian city, linking it to the Hebrew verb for "confusion" (*balal*) due to God's actions there. While the city of Babylon later rose to prominence as a powerful empire, its foundational name, according to the biblical account, forever carries the mark of divine judgment and linguistic dispersion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Babel, where humanity's unified rebellion led to linguistic confusion and global scattering, stands in profound contrast to the redemptive work of Christ, particularly as demonstrated at Pentecost. At Babel, a single language was confounded to divide and scatter humanity due to their prideful defiance; at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit supernaturally enabled people from diverse linguistic backgrounds to understand the Gospel in their own tongues (as seen in [Acts 2:4-11](/acts/2-4-11 "The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues")), demonstrating God's redemptive work to gather a new, unified people from "every nation, tribe, people and language" ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "A great multitude from every nation")). This reversal foreshadows the ultimate reconciliation and unity found in Christ, where the barriers of language and ethnicity, born out of sin, are overcome through the Spirit. Ultimately, the work of Christ leads to a future where a "pure language" ([Zephaniah 3:9](/zephaniah/3-9 "A pure language for God's people")) will be restored, allowing all the redeemed to worship God in perfect understanding and harmony, fulfilling God's original design for humanity to be united under His benevolent reign.

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.

Cross-References

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.