Genesis 11
Genesis 11 is divided into two main parts. The first half (verses 1–9) is about the incident of the Tower of Babel, while the second half (verses 10–32) follows the genealogy of Shem and continues into the lineage of Abraham. This chapter shows the background of how humanity’s languages were divided, as well as the flow of genealogies before Abraham. It also sets up an important turning point that connects to the later events of the Bible.
1verseThe whole earth was of one language and of one speech.
2verseAs they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there.
3verseThey said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.
4verseThey said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”
5verseThe LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.
6verseThe LORD 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.
7verseCome, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
8verseSo the LORD scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.
9verseTherefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. From there, the LORD scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.
10verseThis is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood.
11verseShem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
12verseArpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah.
13verseArpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
14verseShelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber.
15verseShelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
16verseEber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg.
17verseEber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
18versePeleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu.
19versePeleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
20verseReu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug.
21verseReu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
22verseSerug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor.
23verseSerug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
24verseNahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah.
25verseNahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
26verseTerah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27verseNow this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.
28verseHaran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive.
29verseAbram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah.
30verseSarai was barren. She had no child.
31verseTerah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there.
32verseThe days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.
The Meaning of the Tower of Babel Incident
The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1–9 begins with people using a single language and attempting to gather together to build a city and a tower. It portrays their desire to display human power and unity, along with their attempt to reach heaven. In response, God confuses their language in order to scatter their proud, self-centered efforts, and He spreads people across the whole face of the earth.
This incident serves to remind us of the limitations people face when they pursue only their own will, and that human plans ultimately fall under the sovereignty of God.
Shem’s Genealogy and the Flow of Genesis
From verse 10 to the end, the genealogy of Noah’s son Shem continues, listing the descendants from Noah down to Abram (later called Abraham). In particular, this genealogy shows that even after the division of humanity, God’s work of redemption does not disappear—it continues.
The appearance of Abram is the arrival of an important figure who connects the Old Testament and the New Testament, and it signals the beginning of a new work from God. After that, the history of faith and covenant through Abram unfolds.
Reflection Points
- We often need to think about how “my will” and “God’s will” can be different in our lives.
- Although God’s plans may differ from human intentions, we can reflect on this chapter to see that, in the end, God’s good will will be accomplished.
Personal Application
- Perhaps I should look back and ask whether I am building up anything in my community or in my life only for my own honor, plans, and success.
- I should check whether the center of my life is me, whether I trust God’s plans and guidance, and I should commit to living a life that seeks God’s will, not my own.
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