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.

Genesis 11:9 nkjv

Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:9 niv

That is why it was called Babel?because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Genesis 11:9 esv

Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:9 nlt

That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 9 Meaning

Genesis 11:9 states that the city was named Babel because there the Lord intervened to confuse humanity's language, leading to their subsequent scattering across the face of the entire earth. This act of divine judgment was a direct response to humanity's prideful and disobedient attempt to centralize themselves, build a tower to the heavens, and make a name for themselves, in defiance of God's command to spread out and fill the earth.

Genesis 11 9 Context

Genesis chapter 11 opens with a unified humanity, sharing a single language and settling in the plain of Shinar. Rather than spreading across the earth as commanded by God in Gen 9:1, they decide to build a city and a towering structure "whose top may reach unto heaven" to "make a name for ourselves" and to prevent their scattering. This endeavor represents a corporate rebellion against God's decree, driven by pride, self-glorification, and an attempt to secure autonomy and bypass divine authority. The building of a Ziggurat-like structure likely also carried a religious significance, attempting to connect with or manipulate the divine on human terms. The verse, Genesis 11:9, acts as the climax and explanation of God's response to this human project. The confusion of languages directly leads to the dispersion of humanity, thus enforcing God's original intention for the earth to be populated and managed globally rather than centralized in one defiant stronghold. This event sets the stage for the next major divine act: the call of Abraham and the establishment of a chosen people, through whom God would eventually bless all the dispersed nations.

Genesis 11 9 Word analysis

• Therefore (עַל־כֵּ֧ן, ʿal-ken): Signals a causal connection, indicating that what follows is the direct result of the preceding divine action. It signifies a divine judgment.
• its name (שְׁמָ֖הּ, shmah): Refers to the name of the city they were building. Naming in the ancient Near East, especially within biblical narratives, often reflected the character, origin, or significant event associated with a place or person.
• was called (קָרָ֥א, qara): To name or proclaim. In the passive voice, it indicates the established, recognized name given to the location as a direct result of God's action.
• Babel (בָּבֶל, Babel): This is a deliberate Hebrew wordplay. While the original Akkadian name Bāb-ilim meant "gate of God," the biblical writer connects it to the Hebrew verb balal (בָּלַל).
• because (כִּֽי־שָׁ֛ם, ki-sham): Introduces the reason for the naming, specifically highlighting the location of God's intervention.
• there (שָׁ֛ם, sham): Emphasizes the specific place where the pivotal event of linguistic confusion occurred.
• the Lord (יְהוָ֑ה, YHWH): The covenant God, indicating that this action was not arbitrary but purposeful, a sovereign act from the one true God against human defiance. It underscores His active involvement in human history.
• confused (בָּלַ֥ל, balal): The root verb used here is explicitly related to the name "Babel." It means to mix, mingle, or confuse, particularly sounds or speech. This divine intervention was precise, targeting the very means of human unity and communication.
• the language (שְׂפַת, s'fat): Literally "lip of," metaphorically refers to speech or language. It implies not just a different vocabulary, but unintelligible communication, making collective work impossible.
• of all the earth (כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ, kol-ha’aretz): Signifies the universal scope of the judgment. The confusion of languages affected all mankind at that location, setting the linguistic diversity for the entire world.
• and from there (וּמִשָּׁ֛ם, u-mi-sham): Introduces the direct consequence of the confusion. The inability to communicate effectively led to the necessity of dispersion.
• the Lord (יְהוָ֑ה, YHWH): Reiteration of God's agency, showing His active role in the dispersion, enforcing His earlier command.
• scattered them abroad (הֱפִיצָ֥ם, hefitzam): To scatter, disperse. This is the ultimate outcome and the divine reversal of humanity's attempt to remain consolidated. It directly fulfills God's original command to "fill the earth."
• over the face of all the earth (עַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ, al-penei kol-ha’aretz): Reemphasizes the comprehensive and global extent of the scattering, directly opposing the "make a name for ourselves" and avoiding dispersion motives.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore its name was called Babel, because there...": Establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing that the name "Babel" serves as an enduring etymological and theological monument to God's act of confusion at that very place.
• "...the Lord confused the language of all the earth...": This highlights the sovereign intervention of YHWH targeting the very foundation of human cooperation (language), leading to global linguistic diversity. It demonstrates God's immediate and decisive response to human rebellion and unity apart from Him.
• "...and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.": This phrase describes the divine enforcement of His original creation mandate. The scattering was not merely a passive outcome but an active judgment by the Lord, directly counteracting humanity's desire for centralization and compelling them to fulfill the command to "fill the earth."

Genesis 11 9 Bonus section

• The Tower of Babel narrative is a significant theological polemic against the grandeur of Mesopotamian ziggurats and the idolatrous beliefs associated with them, where humanity attempted to reach or control the divine through architectural might. The biblical account asserts that these human endeavors are futile when pitted against the sovereign will of the Lord.
• The judgment at Babel is a necessary precursor to God's choice of a single nation, Israel, as His covenant people. Before God could focus on a redemptive plan through one family, the universal rebellion and scattering of humanity needed to be addressed.
• The event at Pentecost in Acts 2 is often seen as a direct, albeit partial, reversal of Babel. At Babel, a common language was confused to scatter humanity; at Pentecost, diverse languages were understood for the purpose of gathering people into the kingdom of God, demonstrating the unifying power of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel.
• "To make a name for ourselves" (Gen 11:4) stands in stark contrast to God's promise to Abraham in Gen 12:2: "I will make your name great." This highlights that true greatness comes from God's blessing and purpose, not from human ambition and defiance.
• The confusion of language reflects the intrinsic connection between speech, understanding, and unity, illustrating how a common language can either facilitate righteous cooperation or consolidate rebellious defiance. God's intervention effectively severed their unity by severing their ability to communicate meaningfully.

Genesis 11 9 Commentary

Genesis 11:9 encapsulates a profound theological truth about divine sovereignty and human rebellion. The story of Babel serves as a divine judgment against collective human pride, a yearning for self-glorification, and direct disobedience to God's command to fill the earth (Gen 9:1). Humanity sought to establish a central, unifying power base and to make a name for itself, challenging God's authority. God's response was not destructive but deconstructive, targeting the very foundation of their illicit unity: their shared language. By confusing their speech, He disrupted their collaborative ability, forcing the very dispersion they sought to avoid. The naming of the city "Babel," signifying "confusion," is an etiological punchline, forever linking the place to this act of divine intervention. This event explains the origin of diverse languages and nations, underscoring that all divisions and boundaries among humanity ultimately trace back to divine judgment. Yet, this judgment also sets the stage for God's redemptive plan through Abraham, demonstrating how God works even through human sin to accomplish His ultimate purpose.