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. And the LORD said,This phrase introduces a divine observation, indicating God's active involvement and concern with human affairs. It reflects the biblical theme of God's omniscience and sovereignty, as seen in other instances where God speaks directly, such as in Genesis 1:3 and Genesis 3:22. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenantal aspect of God's relationship with humanity. “If they have begun to do this
The context here is the construction of the Tower of Babel, a symbol of human pride and self-sufficiency. This phrase suggests a critical point in human history where collective human action is leading to potential rebellion against God's intended order. It echoes the earlier narrative of human disobedience in Genesis 3. as one people
This highlights the unity and cooperation among the people, which, while positive in some contexts, here serves a purpose contrary to God's will. The unity of humanity is a recurring biblical theme, seen positively in the New Testament with the unity of believers in Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6). speaking the same language,
The shared language facilitated their collaboration, underscoring the power of communication. This unity in language contrasts with the later division at Babel, which serves as a backdrop for the Pentecost event in Acts 2, where language barriers are supernaturally overcome. then nothing they devise will be beyond them.
This phrase suggests the potential for human achievement when united, but also the potential for misuse of that power. It reflects the biblical tension between human free will and divine sovereignty. The concern is not merely technological or architectural but moral and spiritual, as seen in the repeated biblical warnings against pride and self-reliance (Proverbs 16:18). Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The sovereign God who observes the actions of humanity and intervenes according to His divine will. 2. The People of BabelA unified group of people who spoke the same language and sought to build a city and a tower reaching the heavens. 3. The City and the Tower of BabelThe construction project undertaken by the people to make a name for themselves and prevent being scattered over the earth. 4. The Plain of ShinarThe geographical location where the city and tower were being built, often associated with ancient Mesopotamia. 5. The Confusion of LanguagesThe divine intervention by God to disrupt the unity of the people by confusing their language, leading to their dispersion. Teaching Points The Power of UnityUnity among people can lead to significant achievements, but when it is rooted in pride and self-reliance, it can lead to rebellion against God. Divine Sovereignty Over Human PlansGod's intervention at Babel reminds us that He is sovereign over human endeavors and can redirect them according to His purposes. The Dangers of PrideThe Babel account warns against the prideful desire to make a name for oneself apart from God, which can lead to downfall and division. The Importance of ObedienceThe people's attempt to avoid being scattered was in direct disobedience to God's command to fill the earth, highlighting the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. God's Redemptive PlanDespite human rebellion, God's plan for redemption and unity through Christ is ultimately fulfilled, as seen in the diverse unity of believers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the unity of the people at Babel compare to the unity described in the early church in Acts 2, and what lessons can we learn from both? 2. In what ways do we see the theme of human pride and divine intervention in our own lives, and how can we submit our plans to God's will? 3. How does the confusion of languages at Babel contrast with the vision of unity in diversity in Revelation 7:9, and what does this teach us about God's ultimate plan for humanity? 4. What are some modern examples of people or societies attempting to "make a name for themselves," and how can we ensure our ambitions align with God's purposes? 5. How can we cultivate a spirit of obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, especially when our desires conflict with His will? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:28The command to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" contrasts with the people's desire to avoid being scattered, highlighting their disobedience. Acts 2:1-12The event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit enables the apostles to speak in various languages, serves as a redemptive reversal of Babel, promoting unity in diversity. Proverbs 16:9This verse underscores the theme of human plans versus divine sovereignty, as seen in God's intervention at Babel. James 4:13-15The reminder that human plans should be submitted to God's will echoes the lesson learned from the Babel account. Revelation 7:9The vision of a diverse multitude worshiping God together reflects the ultimate unity and diversity in God's kingdom, contrasting with Babel's misguided unity. People Abram, Arphaxad, Eber, Haran, Iscah, Lot, Milcah, Nahor, Peleg, Reu, Salah, Sarai, Serug, Shelah, Shem, TerahPlaces Babel, Canaan, Haran, Mesha, Shinar, UrTopics Begin, Beginning, Begun, Behold, Dreamed, Hindered, Imagined, Impossible, Intend, Language, Meditate, Nothing, Plan, Possible, Pronunciation, Propose, Purpose, Purposed, Restrained, Speaking, Start, Theirs, Withheld, WithholdenDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 11:6 6186 evil scheming Genesis 11:1-9 5004 human race, and sin Genesis 11:3-9 5849 exaltation Genesis 11:4-9 6125 condemnation, divine Genesis 11:5-7 5493 retribution Genesis 11:5-9 4029 world, human beings in Library The Church.
FROM THE PREFACE TO THE "HOLY CITY." UPON a certain First-day, I being together with my brethren in our prison-chamber, they expected that, according to our custom, something should be spoken out of the word for our mutual edification; but at that time I felt myself--it being my turn to speak--so empty, spiritless, and barren, that I thought I should not have been able to speak among them so much as five words of truth, with life and evidence: but at last it so fell out that providentially I cast …
John Bunyan—The Riches of BunyanMeditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Cain Murders his Brother; Called to Account.
IV. CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER; CALLED TO ACCOUNT. A. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER. 1. What moved Cain to commit murder 107. 2. Cain's hypocritical actions in concealing his anger that he might the more easily commit the murder 108-109. * Cain the picture of all hypocrites 110-129. * The attitude of hypocrites to their neighbors. Also, how we are to view the efforts of the pope and bishops in behalf of peace and unity 111-112. * Against what people we should most guard 112. 3. How Cain listened to …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 11:6 NIVGenesis 11:6 NLTGenesis 11:6 ESVGenesis 11:6 NASBGenesis 11:6 KJV
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