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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.
- 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.
- 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.
- NASB Therefore it was named 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.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The place was named Babel because there God confused the world's language and scattered the people. Babel becomes a lasting symbol of prideful rebellion and divine judgment.
Overview
The name Babel, linked to confusion, memorializes God's judgment on human arrogance. Throughout Scripture, Babel and Babylon symbolize rebellion against God and worldly pride. The scattering at Babel is reversed in the gospel: at Pentecost the Spirit unites diverse peoples, and in Christ a redeemed multitude from every language is gathered into one.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 10:5From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.
- Gen 10:10His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
- Gen 10:20These are the sons of Ham according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
- Acts 17:26From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.
- 1 Cor 14:23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
- Gen 10:25Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.
- Jer 50:1–46This is the word that the LORD spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans:
- Gen 10:31–32These are the sons of Shem, according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
- Isa 13:1–14This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 11:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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