Genesis 11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.

◄ Genesis 11:1 ►

Parallel Verses

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

English Standard Version
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.

New American Standard Bible
Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At one time the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary.

International Standard Version
There was a time when the entire earth spoke a common language with an identical vocabulary.

American Standard Version
And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the earth was of one tongue, and of the same speech.

Darby Bible Translation
And the whole earth had one language, and the same words.

Young's Literal Translation
And the whole earth is of one pronunciation, and of the same words,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

11:1-4 How soon men forget the most tremendous judgments, and go back to their former crimes! Though the desolations of the deluge were before their eyes, though they sprang from the stock of righteous Noah, yet even during his life-time, wickedness increases exceedingly. Nothing but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit can remove the sinful lusts of the human will, and the depravity of the human heart. God's purpose was, that mankind should form many nations, and people all lands. In contempt of the Divine will, and against the counsel of Noah, the bulk of mankind united to build a city and a tower to prevent their separating. Idolatry was begun, and Babel became one of its chief seats. They made one another more daring and resolute. Let us learn to provoke one another to love and to good works, as sinners stir up and encourage one another to wicked works.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 11

Ge 11:1-32. Confusion of Tongues.

1. the whole earth was of one language. The descendants of Noah, united by the strong bond of a common language, had not separated, and notwithstanding the divine command to replenish the earth, were unwilling to separate. The more pious and well-disposed would of course obey the divine will; but a numerous body, seemingly the aggressive horde mentioned (Ge 10:10), determined to please themselves by occupying the fairest region they came to.