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What the Bible Says About Babel

Overview

The Bible addresses babel across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis. Closely related themes include Confusion, Dispersion, Language and Tongue.

Key Bible verses about babel

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 11:1

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. language: Heb. lip. speech: Heb. words

Genesis 11:2

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. from: or, eastward

Genesis 11:3

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. they said: Heb. a man said to his neighbour burn: Heb. burn them to a burning

Genesis 11:4

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.

Genesis 11:5

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

Genesis 11:6

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.

Genesis 11:7

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

Genesis 11:8

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

Genesis 11:9

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. Babel: that is, Confusion

In the Bible dictionary

Studying babel for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 11:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Confusion, Dispersion, Language and Tongue.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about babel?

The Bible addresses babel across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis. Closely related themes include Confusion, Dispersion, Language and Tongue.

How many Bible verses are about babel?

The Bible references babel in 9 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention babel?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 11:1: “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. language: Heb. lip. speech: Heb. words”

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