Genesis 11:9

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

עַל־כֵּ֞ן קָרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל כִּי־שָׁ֛ם בָּלַ֥ל יְהוָ֖ה שְׂפַ֣ת כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וּמִשָּׁם֙ הֱפִיצָ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה עַל־פְּנֵ֖י כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ פ

Transliteration

Therefore qārāʾ šᵊmāh bābel because-there bālal YHWH śᵊpat all-the-ʾāreṣ and-from-there hēpîṣām YHWH upon-pᵊnê all-the-ʾāreṣ

Grammar Details

• *qārāʾ*: qal perfect 3rd masculine singular - he called
• *šᵊmāh*: noun masculine singular + 3rd feminine singular suffix - its name
• *bābel*: proper noun - Babel
• *bālal*: qal perfect 3rd masculine singular - he confused
• *YHWH*: proper noun - the LORD
• *śᵊpat*: noun feminine singular construct - language of
• *ʾāreṣ*: noun feminine singular - earth/land
• *hēpîṣām*: hiphil perfect 3rd masculine singular + 3rd masculine plural suffix - he scattered them
• *pᵊnê*: noun masculine plural construct - face of

Word Meanings

• *qārāʾ*: he called/named
• *šᵊmāh*: its name
• *bābel*: Babel/Babylon
• *bālal*: he confused/mixed/confounded
• *YHWH*: the LORD/Yahweh
• *śᵊpat*: language/speech of
• *ʾāreṣ*: earth/land/ground
• *hēpîṣām*: he scattered them/dispersed them
• *pᵊnê*: face/surface of

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the langua of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Therefore its name is called Babel, because the LORD confused the language of all the earth there, and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Therefore was the name of it{H8034} called{H7121} Babel;{H894} because Jehovah{H3068} did there confound{H1101} the language{H8193} of all the earth:{H776} and from thence did{H6327} Jehovah{H3068} scatter them abroad{H6327} upon the face{H6440} of all the earth.{H776}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Therefore is the name of it{H8034} called{H7121}{(H8804)} Babel{H894}; because the LORD{H3068} did there confound{H1101}{(H8804)} the language{H8193} of all the earth{H776}: and from thence did{H6327} the LORD{H3068} scatter them abroad{H6327}{(H8689)} upon the face{H6440} of all the earth{H776}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Wherfore the name of it is called Babell because that the LORDE there confounded the tonge of all the world. And because that the LORde from thence skatered them abrode vppon all the erth.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Therfore is it called Babell, because the LORDE cofounded there the language of all the worlde, and from thece scatred them abrode in to all londes.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because the Lorde did there confounde the language of all the earth: from thence then did the Lord scatter them vpon all the earth.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And therfore is the name of it called Babel, because the Lord dyd there confounde the language of all the earth: and from thence dyd the Lorde scatter them abrode vpon the face of all the earth.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because Yahweh confused the language of all the earth, there. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  therefore hath `one' called its name Babel, for there hath Jehovah mingled the pronunciation of all the earth, and from thence hath Jehovah scattered them over the face of all the earth.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  So it was named Babel, because there the Lord took away the sense of all languages and from there the Lord sent them away over all the face of the earth.

• World English Bible (2000)

  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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  That is why its name was called Babel– because there the LORD confused the language of the entire world, and from there the LORD scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

Referenced Verses

• Gen 10:10 : 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
• Gen 10:20 : 20 These are the sons of Ham by their clans, languages, lands, and nations.
• Gen 10:5 : 5 From these, the coastland peoples spread out into their lands, each according to his language, family, and nation.
• Acts 17:26 : 26 From one man, he made every nation of mankind to live on the entire face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.
• 1 Cor 14:23 : 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
• Gen 10:25 : 25 To Eber were born two sons: one was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan.
• Gen 10:31-32 : 31 These are the sons of Shem by their clans, languages, lands, and nations. 32 These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their genealogies, by their nations. From these, the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.
• Isa 13:1-9 : 1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw. 2 Lift up a banner on a bare hill; shout to them. Wave your hand so they may enter the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My consecrated ones; I have also summoned My mighty ones, those who exult in My majesty, to carry out My anger. 4 Listen! A tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude. Listen! An uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together. The LORD of Hosts is mustering an army for battle. 5 They come from a distant land, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole earth. 6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. 7 Because of this, every hand will go limp and every human heart will melt with fear. 8 They will be terrified; pain and anguish will grip them. They will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at each other in dismay, their faces aflame. 9 See, the day of the LORD is coming—a cruel day with wrath and fierce anger—to make the land desolate and to destroy the sinners within it. 10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened as it rises, and the moon will not shine its light. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the ruthless. 12 I will make people scarcer than fine gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, on the day of His fierce anger. 14 Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his own land.
• Jer 50:1-9 : 1 This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through the prophet Jeremiah. 2 Declare among the nations and proclaim it; raise a banner and proclaim it! Do not hide it. Say, 'Babylon has been captured; Bel is put to shame, Marduk is dismayed. Her idols are disgraced, her images shattered.' 3 For a nation has come against her from the north; it will make her land desolate. No one will live there—neither man nor beast—all will flee and be gone. 4 In those days and at that time,' declares the LORD, 'the people of Israel and the people of Judah will come together, weeping as they go, seeking the LORD their God. 5 They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten. 6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to wander on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill and forgotten their resting place. 7 All who found them devoured them. Their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the LORD, their true pasture and the hope of their ancestors—the LORD.' 8 Flee from Babylon, leave the land of the Chaldeans, and be like male goats leading the flock. 9 For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a coalition of great nations from the north. They will line up for battle against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows are like skilled warriors; they will not return empty-handed. 10 Chaldea will become plunder; all who plunder her will be satisfied,' declares the LORD. 11 'Because you rejoice and celebrate, you who plunder my inheritance; because you frolic like a threshing heifer and neigh like stallions,' 12 your mother will be greatly ashamed; she who bore you will be disgraced. Behold, she will become the least of the nations—a wilderness, a dry and arid land. 13 Because of the LORD's wrath, she will not be inhabited but will become completely desolate. Everyone who passes by Babylon will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds. 14 Take your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her! Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD. 15 Raise a shout against her on every side! She has surrendered; her towers have fallen, her walls are torn down. This is the vengeance of the LORD. Take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done to others. 16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and the one who handles the sickle at harvest time. Because of the oppressing sword, let each one return to his own people, and let every one flee to his own land. 17 Israel is a scattered sheep chased by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to gnaw at his bones was Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. 18 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'I will punish the king of Babylon and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.' 19 I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. 20 In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the guilt of Israel will be sought, but there will be none; and the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive those I leave as a remnant. 21 Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod! Pursue them, kill them completely, and devote them to destruction, declares the LORD. Do everything I have commanded you. 22 The sound of battle is in the land—a great destruction. 23 How the hammer of the whole earth has been cut down and broken! Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations. 24 I set a trap for you, Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it. You were found and captured because you challenged the LORD. 25 The LORD has opened His armory and brought out the weapons of His wrath, for the Sovereign LORD of Hosts has a task to accomplish in the land of the Chaldeans. 26 Come against her from the farthest borders; open her granaries. Heap her up like piles of grain and destroy her completely. Let nothing be left of her. 27 Slaughter all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come, the time of their punishment. 28 Listen to the voice of those fleeing and escaping from the land of Babylon, proclaiming in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance for His temple. 29 Summon archers against Babylon, all who draw the bow. Encamp around her on every side, and let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. 30 Therefore, her young men will fall in her streets, and all her soldiers will perish on that day, declares the LORD. 31 Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one, declares the Sovereign LORD of Hosts, for your day has come, the time for Me to punish you. 32 The arrogant one will stumble and fall, and no one will help him up. I will set fire to his cities, and it will devour all around him. 33 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The people of Israel and the people of Judah are oppressed together. All their captors hold them fast and refuse to let them go. 34 But their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will vigorously defend their cause to bring rest to the land but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. 35 A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against the inhabitants of Babylon, against her officials and wise men. 36 A sword is against her diviners, and they will act foolishly. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be shattered. 37 A sword is against her horses and her chariots, and against all the mixed multitude in her midst. They will become like women. A sword is against her treasures, and they will be plundered. 38 A drought is upon her waters; they will dry up. For it is a land of idols, and they go mad over terrifying images. 39 Therefore, desert creatures and hyenas will dwell there, and ostriches will inhabit it. It will never again be inhabited or settled from generation to generation. 40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors, declares the LORD, no one will live there, and no human being will dwell in it. 41 Behold, a people is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. 42 They hold bows and spears; they are cruel and show no mercy. Their roar is like the roaring sea, and they ride on horses, arrayed like men ready for battle against you, Daughter of Babylon. 43 The king of Babylon has heard the report about them, and his hands hang limp. Anguish grips him, pain like that of a woman in labor. 44 Behold, like a lion coming up from the thickets of the Jordan to a secure pasture, I will drive them away suddenly from it. I will appoint whoever is chosen for it. For who is like me? Who can summon me? And what shepherd can stand against me? 45 Therefore, hear the counsel of the LORD that He has purposed against Babylon and the plans He has devised against the land of the Chaldeans. Surely, the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; surely, their pasture will be appalled at their fate. 46 At the sound of Babylon’s capture, the earth will quake, and the outcry will be heard among the nations.