Genesis 11:1 kjv

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

Genesis 11:1 nkjv

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.

Genesis 11:1 niv

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.

Genesis 11:1 esv

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.

Genesis 11:1 nlt

At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 1 Meaning

Genesis 11:1 states that after the Flood, the entire post-diluvian human population spoke a single language and shared a common vocabulary. This verse sets the stage for the narrative of the Tower of Babel, explaining how humanity, in its consolidated linguistic state, was able to unite for a grand project, which God then dispersed.

Genesis 11 1 Context

Genesis 11:1 serves as a pivotal introduction to the Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11:2-9). This verse establishes the essential condition—universal linguistic unity—that made the subsequent communal act of defiance against God possible. Within the broader context of Genesis, it directly follows the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, which paradoxically details the genealogical spread of various peoples, but with hints of their division "after the flood." Genesis 11:1 clarifies that this linguistic diversification happened because of the events at Babel, making the preceding chapters refer to their geographic dispersion, and then explaining how linguistic diversity came to be. It shows humanity ignoring God's repeated command to "fill the earth" (Gen 1:28, Gen 9:1), choosing instead to consolidate in one location, driven by a desire for self-preservation, collective glory, and independence from divine authority. The unity of speech was the mechanism that enabled this unified rebellion.

Genesis 11 1 Word analysis

• Now (wehayah, וַיְהִי): A common Hebrew temporal connector, meaning "and it was" or "it came to pass." It signifies a new development, marking the beginning of a significant new event after the lineage records.
• the whole earth (kol-ha'arets, כָּל־הָאָרֶץ):
  • kol (כָּל־): Means "all," "every," or "the whole of."
  • ha'arets (הָאָרֶץ): Can refer to "the land" (a specific territory) or "the earth" (the globe). In the post-Flood context, especially given the preceding narratives of universal judgment and the subsequent dispersion, "the whole earth" clearly indicates the entire inhabited world populated by Noah's descendants. It emphasizes the scope of humanity's unified condition.
• had (hayah, הָיְתָה): Simple past tense of "to be," indicating a state of being that existed at that time.
• one language (safah eḥath, שָׂפָה אֶחָת):
  • safah (שָׂפָה): Literally "lip" or "language." It refers to the physical organ of speech and, by extension, to speech itself.
  • eḥath (אֶחָת): Means "one" (feminine form), emphasizing singularity and unity. This implies a shared tongue, not just dialects of the same language, but a single means of verbal communication among all humanity.
• and the same words (u'devarim achadim, וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים):
  • u' (וּ): Connective "and."
  • devarim (דְּבָרִים): Plural of davar (דָּבָר), which means "word," "matter," "thing," or "affair." It encompasses not just vocabulary but also concepts, thoughts, and common understanding.
  • achadim (אֲחָדִים): Plural of echad (אֶחָד), meaning "one" or "united." When plural, it can mean "united," "together," "the same," or "a few/the same kind of things."
• Word-group Analysis:
  • "the whole earth had one language and the same words": This phrase highlights a profound unity, not merely superficial linguistic commonality. It speaks to a shared intellectual framework, common worldview, and mutual understanding among all people. This deep unity of "lip" and "words" was a formidable asset that humanity, left to its own devices, utilized for rebellious purposes rather than fulfilling God's design. It sets up the impending divine action as a necessary countermeasure to this dangerous consolidated human power. The repetition of unity, safah echath (one lip) and devarim achadim (the same words), underscores the completeness of their shared communication, enabling concerted action against God's scattering command.

Genesis 11 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrasing "one lip and the same words" is an idiomatic expression that goes beyond merely having a common language; it implies a uniformity of thought, purpose, and resolve. Such perfect linguistic and conceptual alignment allowed for unprecedented human cooperation, making their subsequent rebellious project at Babel particularly audacious. This also implicitly poses a theological challenge to human autonomy, showing that unchecked unity without divine guidance can lead to concentrated sin. The diversity of languages, subsequently, served not only as a judgment but also as a providential barrier to future collective global rebellion against God's plans. It underscores God's sovereign hand in directing humanity's course and thwarting attempts that run contrary to His will for the nations to spread and inhabit the earth.

Genesis 11 1 Commentary

Genesis 11:1 opens a critical chapter by establishing the antecedent condition for the Tower of Babel narrative: a globally unified linguistic state. This verse is concise yet profound, underscoring that prior to divine intervention, all humanity spoke with a single tongue and shared identical understanding. This linguistic and conceptual unity explains how humanity could embark on a grand, collaborative project like building a city and a tower "to the heavens" (Gen 11:4). This human solidarity, ironically a reflection of God's original creation, became the very means for a united act of defiance against His divine mandate to "fill the earth." Instead of scattering and populating the globe as commanded (Gen 9:1), humanity converged, illustrating their inherent bent towards rebellion and collective glory-seeking apart from God. The verse is vital for understanding the origins of linguistic diversity, positing it not as a natural evolutionary process but as a specific act of divine judgment.