Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. New Living Translation “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! English Standard Version And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. New American Standard Bible And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they have started to do, and now nothing which they plan to do will be impossible for them. NASB 1995 The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. NASB 1977 And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. Legacy Standard Bible And Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they have begun to do. So now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. Amplified Bible And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one [unified] people, and they all have the same language. This is only the beginning of what they will do [in rebellion against Me], and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them. Christian Standard Bible The LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. American Standard Version And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. Contemporary English Version he said: These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want. English Revised Version And the LORD said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD said, "They are one people with one language. This is only the beginning of what they will do! Now nothing they plan to do will be too difficult for them. Good News Translation and he said, "Now then, these are all one people and they speak one language; this is just the beginning of what they are going to do. Soon they will be able to do anything they want! International Standard Version The LORD said, "Look! They are one people with the same language for all of them, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. Nothing that they have a mind to do will be impossible for them! Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible And the LORD said, "If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. New Heart English Bible And God said, "Look, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. So now nothing which they plan to do will be too difficult for them. Webster's Bible Translation 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. World English Bible Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand YHWH says, “Behold, the people [is] one, and one language [is] to them all, and this it has dreamed of doing; and now, nothing is restrained from them of that which they have purposed to do. Young's Literal Translation and Jehovah saith, 'Lo, the people is one, and one pronunciation is to them all, and this it hath dreamed of doing; and now, nothing is restrained from them of that which they have purposed to do. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say, Behold, the people one, and one lip to them all; and this they begin to do: and now it will not be restrained from them all which they shall imagine to do. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one tongue: and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs, till they accomplish them in deed. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said: “Behold, the people are united, and all have one tongue. And since they have begun to do this, they will not desist from their plans, until they have completed their work. New American Bible Then the LORD said: If now, while they are one people and all have the same language, they have started to do this, nothing they presume to do will be out of their reach. New Revised Standard Version And the LORD said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and they have reasoned to do this thing; and now nothing will prevent them from doing that which they have imagined to do. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said, “Behold, the people are one and they all have one language and thus they have conceived to do, therefore nothing would be taken from them that they have conceived to do. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said: 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord said, Behold, there is one race, and one lip of all, and they have begun to do this, and now nothing shall fail from them of all that they may have undertaken to do. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Tower of Babel…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.”… Cross References Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever...” Psalm 2:1-4 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ... Psalm 33:10-11 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations. Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. Isaiah 8:10 Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.” Isaiah 14:13-14 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ Jeremiah 51:29 The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant. Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Luke 1:37 For no word from God will ever fail.” John 17:21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. Treasury of Scripture 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. Behold. Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Judges 10:14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. 1 Kings 18:27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. the people. Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. Genesis 9:19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; imagined. Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Psalm 2:1-4 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? … Jump to Previous Begin Beginning Begun Hindered Imagined Impossible Intend Language Meditate Plan Possible Pronunciation Propose Purpose Purposed Restrained Speaking Start Theirs Withheld WithholdenJump to Next Begin Beginning Begun Hindered Imagined Impossible Intend Language Meditate Plan Possible Pronunciation Propose Purpose Purposed Restrained Speaking Start Theirs Withheld WithholdenGenesis 11 1. One language in the world.2. The building of Babel. 5. It is interrupted by the confusion of tongues, and the builders dispersed. 10. The generations of Shem. 27. The generations of Terah, the father of Abram. 31. Terah, with Abram and Lot, move from Ur to Haran. And the LORD said, This phrase introduces a divine observation, indicating God's active involvement and concern with human affairs. It reflects the biblical theme of God's omniscience and sovereignty, as seen in other instances where God speaks directly, such as in Genesis 1:3 and Genesis 3:22. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenantal aspect of God's relationship with humanity. “If they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, then nothing they devise will be beyond them. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The sovereign God who observes the actions of humanity and intervenes according to His divine will. 2. The People of Babel A unified group of people who spoke the same language and sought to build a city and a tower reaching the heavens. 3. The City and the Tower of Babel The construction project undertaken by the people to make a name for themselves and prevent being scattered over the earth. 4. The Plain of Shinar The geographical location where the city and tower were being built, often associated with ancient Mesopotamia. 5. The Confusion of Languages The divine intervention by God to disrupt the unity of the people by confusing their language, leading to their dispersion. Teaching Points The Power of UnityUnity among people can lead to significant achievements, but when it is rooted in pride and self-reliance, it can lead to rebellion against God. Divine Sovereignty Over Human Plans God's intervention at Babel reminds us that He is sovereign over human endeavors and can redirect them according to His purposes. The Dangers of Pride The Babel account warns against the prideful desire to make a name for oneself apart from God, which can lead to downfall and division. The Importance of Obedience The people's attempt to avoid being scattered was in direct disobedience to God's command to fill the earth, highlighting the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. God's Redemptive Plan Despite human rebellion, God's plan for redemption and unity through Christ is ultimately fulfilled, as seen in the diverse unity of believers.Verse 6. - And the Lord said - within himself, and to himself (vide ver. 8); expressive of the formation of a Divine resolution (cf. Genesis 6:7) - Behold, the people - עַס, from root signifying to bind together, expresses the idea of association; גּוי, from a root signifying to swell (Lange), to flow together (Gesenius), to gather together (Furst), conveys the notion of a confluxus hominum. T. Lewis connects it with the sense of interiority, or exclusion, which is common in the Chaldee and Syriac - is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do. One race, one tongue, one purpose. The words indicate unity of effort, as well as concentration of design, on the part of the builders, and a certain measure of success in the achievement of their work. And now nothing will be restrained from them. Literally, there will not be cut off from them anything; οὐκ ἐκλείψει ἀπ αὐτῶν πάντα (LXX.); non desistent a cogitationibus suis (Vulgate, Luther); i.e. nothing will prove too hard for their dating. It can hardly imply that their impious design was on the eve of completion. Which they have imagined to do. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the LORDיְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “If הֵ֣ן (hên) Interjection Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! they have begun הַחִלָּ֣ם (ha·ḥil·lām) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to do לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make this וְזֶ֖ה (wə·zeh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that as one אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first people עַ֤ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock speaking the same לְכֻלָּ֔ם (lə·ḵul·lām) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every language, וְשָׂפָ֤ה (wə·śā·p̄āh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin then וְעַתָּה֙ (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time nothing לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no they devise יָזְמ֖וּ (yā·zə·mū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2161: To consider, purpose, devise will be beyond יִבָּצֵ֣ר (yib·bā·ṣêr) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1219: To cut off, make inaccessible, enclose them. מֵהֶ֔ם (mê·hem) Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They Links Genesis 11:6 NIVGenesis 11:6 NLT Genesis 11:6 ESV Genesis 11:6 NASB Genesis 11:6 KJV Genesis 11:6 BibleApps.com Genesis 11:6 Biblia Paralela Genesis 11:6 Chinese Bible Genesis 11:6 French Bible Genesis 11:6 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 11:6 Yahweh said Behold they are one people (Gen. 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