The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1–9

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Berean Standard Bible

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

1Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech.

2And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

3And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

4“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

5Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

6And 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.

7Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

8So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

9That 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.

King James Version

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

1And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

2And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

3And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

4And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

7Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

8So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

9Therefore 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.

Translation for Translators

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

1At first, all the people in [MTY] the world spoke the same language [DOU].

2As people moved further east, they arrived at a plain in Babylonia region and began to live there.

3Then they said to each other, “◄Hey/Come on►, let’s form bricks and bake them to make them hard, for building!” So they used bricks instead of stones, and used tar instead of ◄mortar/a mixture of cement, sand and lime► to hold them together.

4They said, “Hey, let’s build a city for ourselves! We also ought to build a very high tower that reaches up to the sky! In that way we will become famous! If we do not do this, we will be scattered all over the earth!”

5So they began to build the city and the tower. Then Yahweh looked down and saw the city and the tower that those puny men were building.

6Yahweh said, “These people are one group that all speak the same language. If they have begun to do this now, then ◄there is nothing that they will decide to do that will be impossible for them/they will be able to do whatever they decide to do► [LIT]!

7So, okay/now, we will go down there and cause there to be many different languages, so that they will not be able to understand each other.”

8So Yahweh did that. As a result, the people stopped building the city, and Yahweh caused them to disperse all over the earth.

9The city was called Babel which means ‘confusion’, because there Yahweh caused the people to become confused because the people [MTY] spoke different languages that the others could not understand, not just one language. From there Yahweh caused them to disperse all over the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

King James Version

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

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

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

And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

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, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

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.

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.

Berean Standard Bible

King James Version

Translation for Translators

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

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

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

At first, all the people in [MTY] the world spoke the same language [DOU].

And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

As people moved further east, they arrived at a plain in Babylonia region and began to live there.

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

Then they said to each other, “◄Hey/Come on►, let’s form bricks and bake them to make them hard, for building!” So they used bricks instead of stones, and used tar instead of ◄mortar/a mixture of cement, sand and lime► to hold them together.

“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

They said, “Hey, let’s build a city for ourselves! We also ought to build a very high tower that reaches up to the sky! In that way we will become famous! If we do not do this, we will be scattered all over the earth!”

Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

So they began to build the city and the tower. Then Yahweh looked down and saw the city and the tower that those puny men were building.

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, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Yahweh said, “These people are one group that all speak the same language. If they have begun to do this now, then ◄there is nothing that they will decide to do that will be impossible for them/they will be able to do whatever they decide to do► [LIT]!

Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

So, okay/now, we will go down there and cause there to be many different languages, so that they will not be able to understand each other.”

So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

So Yahweh did that. As a result, the people stopped building the city, and Yahweh caused them to disperse all over the earth.

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.

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.

The city was called Babel which means ‘confusion’, because there Yahweh caused the people to become confused because the people [MTY] spoke different languages that the others could not understand, not just one language. From there Yahweh caused them to disperse all over the earth.

WLC

Hebrew, word by word

וַֽיְהִ֥י beacon הָיָה hâyâh a primitive root (compare H1933 (הָוָא)); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) beacon, [idiom] altoge כָל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הָאָ֖רֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins שָׂפָ֣ה band שָׂפָה sâphâh or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from H5595 (סָפָה) or H8192 (שָׁפָה) through the idea of termination (compare H5490 (סוֹף)); the lip (as a natural boun אֶחָ֑ת alike אֶחָד ʼechâd a numeral from H258 (אָחַד); properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, e וּדְבָרִ֖ים word דָּבָר dâbâr from H1696 (דָבַר); a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), becaus אֲחָדִֽים alike אֶחָד ʼechâd a numeral from H258 (אָחַד); properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, e ׃

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

וַֽיְהִ֖י beacon הָיָה hâyâh a primitive root (compare H1933 (הָוָא)); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) beacon, [idiom] altoge בְּנָסְעָ֣ם cause to blow נָסַע nâçaʻ a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, מִקֶּ֑דֶם aforetime קֶדֶם qedem or קֵדְמָה; from H6923 (קָדַם); the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, ancien וַֽיִּמְצְא֥וּ befall מָצָא mâtsâʼ a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present [p בִקְעָ֛ה plain בִּקְעָה biqʻâh from H1234 (בָּקַע); properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains plain, valley. בְּאֶ֥רֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins שִׁנְעָ֖ר Shinar שִׁנְעָר Shinʻâr probably of foreign derivation; Shinar, a plain in Babylonia Shinar. וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ abide יָשַׁב yâshab a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry (mak שָֽׁם in it שָׁם shâm a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, H834 (אֲשֶׁר)); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence in it, [phrase] thence, ther ׃

And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ name אָמַר ʼâmar a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude) answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command( אִ֣ישׁ man אִישׁ ʼîysh contracted for H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to אֶל about אֵל ʼêl (but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, ־ רֵעֵ֗הוּ brother רֵעַ rêaʻ or רֵיעַ; from H7462 (רָעָה); an associate (more or less close) brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. הָ֚בָה ascribe יָהַב yâhab a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take. נִלְבְּנָ֣ה make brick לָבַן lâban a primitive root; also as denominative from H3843 (לְבֵנָה) to be (or become) white; to make bricks make brick, be (made, make) white(-r). לְבֵנִ֔ים brick לְבֵנָה lᵉbênâh from H3835 (לָבַן); a brick (from the whiteness of the clay) (altar of) brick, tile. וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה burn שָׂרַף sâraph a primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly. לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה burning שְׂרֵפָה sᵉrêphâh from H8313 (שָׂרַף); cremation burning. וַתְּהִ֨י beacon הָיָה hâyâh a primitive root (compare H1933 (הָוָא)); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) beacon, [idiom] altoge לָהֶ֤ם הַלְּבֵנָה֙ brick לְבֵנָה lᵉbênâh from H3835 (לָבַן); a brick (from the whiteness of the clay) (altar of) brick, tile. לְאָ֔בֶן stone אֶבֶן ʼeben from the root of H1129 (בָּנָה) through the meaning to build; a stone [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר slime חֵמָר chêmâr from H2560 (חָמַר); bitumen (as rising to the surface) slime(-pit). הָיָ֥ה beacon הָיָה hâyâh a primitive root (compare H1933 (הָוָא)); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) beacon, [idiom] altoge לָהֶ֖ם לַחֹֽמֶר clay חֹמֶר chômer from H2560 (חָמַר); properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure clay, heap, hom ׃

And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.

וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ name אָמַר ʼâmar a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude) answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command( הָ֣בָה ascribe יָהַב yâhab a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take. ׀ נִבְנֶה build בָּנָה bânâh a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively) (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. ־לָּ֣נוּ עִ֗יר Ai עִיר ʻîyr or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from H5782 (עוּר) a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment וּמִגְדָּל֙ castle מִגְדָּל migdâl also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה; from H1431 (גָּדַל); a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers וְרֹאשׁ֣וֹ band רֹאשׁ rôʼsh from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, it בַשָּׁמַ֔יִם heaven שָׁמַיִם shâmayim dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds וְנַֽעֲשֶׂה accomplish עָשָׂה ʻâsâh a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruis ־לָּ֖נוּ שֵׁ֑ם fame שֵׁם shêm a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064 (שָׁמַיִם)); an appellation, as amark or memorial of פֶּן that not פֵּן pên from H6437 (פָּנָה); properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest (lest) (peradventure), that...not. ־ נָפ֖וּץ break in pieces פּוּץ pûwts a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), dr עַל above עַל ʻal properly, the same as H5920 (עַל) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, ־ פְּנֵ֥י fore פָּנִים pânîym plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from H6437 (פָּנָה)); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lite כָל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הָאָֽרֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins ׃

“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

וַיֵּ֣רֶד light יָרַד yârad a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fa יְהוָ֔ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). לִרְאֹ֥ת advise self רָאָה râʼâh a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative) advise self, appear, אֶת apparent contracted אֵת ʼêth apparent contracted from H226 (אוֹת) in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb ־ הָעִ֖יר Ai עִיר ʻîyr or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from H5782 (עוּר) a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment וְאֶת apparent contracted אֵת ʼêth apparent contracted from H226 (אוֹת) in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb ־ הַמִּגְדָּ֑ל castle מִגְדָּל migdâl also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה; from H1431 (גָּדַל); a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers אֲשֶׁ֥ר as אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order tha בָּנ֖וּ build בָּנָה bânâh a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively) (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. בְּנֵ֥י man בֵּן bên from H1129 (בָּנָה); a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, הָאָדָֽם man אָדָם ʼâdâm from H119 (אָדַם); ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low ׃

Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר name אָמַר ʼâmar a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude) answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command( יְהוָ֗ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). הֵ֣ן behold הֵן hên a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if behold, if, lo, though. עַ֤ם people עַם ʻam from H6004 (עָמַם); a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flo אֶחָד֙ alike אֶחָד ʼechâd a numeral from H258 (אָחַד); properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, e וְשָׂפָ֤ה band שָׂפָה sâphâh or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from H5595 (סָפָה) or H8192 (שָׁפָה) through the idea of termination (compare H5490 (סוֹף)); the lip (as a natural boun אַחַת֙ alike אֶחָד ʼechâd a numeral from H258 (אָחַד); properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, e לְכֻלָּ֔ם all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne וְזֶ֖ה he זֶה zeh a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other הַחִלָּ֣ם begin חָלַל châlal a primitive root (compare H2470 (חָלָה)); also denominative (from H2485 (חָלִיל)) properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת accomplish עָשָׂה ʻâsâh a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruis וְעַתָּה֙ henceforth עַתָּה ʻattâh from H6256 (עֵת); at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. לֹֽא ere לֹא lôʼ or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles [idiom] before ־ יִבָּצֵ֣ר cut off בָּצַר bâtsar a primitive root; to clip off; specifically (as denominative from H1210 (בָּצִיר)) to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortifi מֵהֶ֔ם like הֵם hêm or (prolonged) הֵמָּה; masculine plural from H1981 (הֲלַךְ); they (only used when emphatic) it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) כֹּ֛ל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne אֲשֶׁ֥ר as אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order tha יָזְמ֖וּ consider זָמַם zâmam a primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil). לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת accomplish עָשָׂה ʻâsâh a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruis ׃

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.

הָ֚בָה ascribe יָהַב yâhab a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take. נֵֽרְדָ֔ה light יָרַד yârad a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fa וְנָבְלָ֥ה anoint בָּלַל bâlal a primitive root; (also denominatively from H1098 (בְּלִיל)) to fodder to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder anoint, confound, שָׁ֖ם in it שָׁם shâm a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, H834 (אֲשֶׁר)); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence in it, [phrase] thence, ther שְׂפָתָ֑ם band שָׂפָה sâphâh or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from H5595 (סָפָה) or H8192 (שָׁפָה) through the idea of termination (compare H5490 (סוֹף)); the lip (as a natural boun אֲשֶׁר֙ as אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order tha לֹ֣א ere לֹא lôʼ or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles [idiom] before יִשְׁמְע֔וּ call together שָׁמַע shâmaʻ a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.) [idiom] attentively, call (gather) to אִ֖ישׁ man אִישׁ ʼîysh contracted for H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to שְׂפַ֥ת band שָׂפָה sâphâh or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from H5595 (סָפָה) or H8192 (שָׁפָה) through the idea of termination (compare H5490 (סוֹף)); the lip (as a natural boun רֵעֵֽהוּ brother רֵעַ rêaʻ or רֵיעַ; from H7462 (רָעָה); an associate (more or less close) brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. ׃

Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

וַיָּ֨פֶץ break in pieces פּוּץ pûwts a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), dr יְהוָ֥ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). אֹתָ֛ם apparent contracted אֵת ʼêth apparent contracted from H226 (אוֹת) in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb מִשָּׁ֖ם in it שָׁם shâm a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, H834 (אֲשֶׁר)); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence in it, [phrase] thence, ther עַל above עַל ʻal properly, the same as H5920 (עַל) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, ־ פְּנֵ֣י fore פָּנִים pânîym plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from H6437 (פָּנָה)); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lite כָל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הָאָ֑רֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins וַֽיַּחְדְּל֖וּ cease חָדַל châdal a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let a לִבְנֹ֥ת build בָּנָה bânâh a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively) (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. הָעִֽיר Ai עִיר ʻîyr or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from H5782 (עוּר) a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment ׃

So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

עַל above עַל ʻal properly, the same as H5920 (עַל) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, ־ כֵּ֞ן as as כֵּן kên from H3559 (כּוּן); properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications קָרָ֤א name קָרָא qârâʼ a primitive root (rather identical with H7122 (קָרָא) through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a שְׁמָהּ֙ fame שֵׁם shêm a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064 (שָׁמַיִם)); an appellation, as amark or memorial of בָּבֶ֔ל Babel בָּבֶל Bâbel from H1101 (בָּלַל); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire Babel, Babylon. כִּי and כִּי kîy a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widel ־ שָׁ֛ם in it שָׁם shâm a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, H834 (אֲשֶׁר)); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence in it, [phrase] thence, ther בָּלַ֥ל anoint בָּלַל bâlal a primitive root; (also denominatively from H1098 (בְּלִיל)) to fodder to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder anoint, confound, יְהוָ֖ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). שְׂפַ֣ת band שָׂפָה sâphâh or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from H5595 (סָפָה) or H8192 (שָׁפָה) through the idea of termination (compare H5490 (סוֹף)); the lip (as a natural boun כָּל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הָאָ֑רֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins וּמִשָּׁם֙ in it שָׁם shâm a primitive particle (rather from the relative pronoun, H834 (אֲשֶׁר)); there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence in it, [phrase] thence, ther הֱפִיצָ֣ם break in pieces פּוּץ pûwts a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), dr יְהוָ֔ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). עַל above עַל ʻal properly, the same as H5920 (עַל) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, ־ פְּנֵ֖י fore פָּנִים pânîym plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from H6437 (פָּנָה)); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lite כָּל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הָאָֽרֶץ earth אֶרֶץ ʼerets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land) [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins ׃ פ

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.

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