Genesis 11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:1-2

Genesis 11:1-2 . The whole earth was of one language This even heathen writers acknowledge; and that language was, probably, the Hebrew. They journeyed from the east of Shinar, where Noah had settled when he left the ark. They were, therefore, now travelling westward. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:3-4

Genesis 11:3-4 . Let us make brick, let us build a city The country, being a plain, yielded neither stone nor mortar; yet this did not discourage them; but they made brick to serve instead of stone, and slime instead of mortar; a kind of clay or pitch called bitumen, which, as Pliny testifies, is liquid and glutinous, and fit to be used in brick buildings, as Strabo, Dion, and others observe. And that Babylon was built with this and with brick, as is here said, we have the joint testimony... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:5

Genesis 11:5. And the Lord came down to see the city This is an expression after the manner of men; he knew it as clearly as men know that which they come upon the place to view. Genesis 11:6-9 . And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, &c. And if they continue one, much of the earth will be left uninhabited. Let us confound their language This was not spoken to the angels, as if God needed either their advice or their assistance; but God speaks it to himself, or the Father... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:10

Genesis 11:10. Observe here, 1st, That nothing is left upon record concerning those of this line, but their names and ages; the Holy Ghost seeming to hasten through them to the story of Abraham. How little do we know of those who are gone before us in this world, even those that lived in the same places where we live! Or, indeed, of those who are our contemporaries, but in distant places. 2d, That there was an observable gradual decrease in the years of their lives. Shem reached to six... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:27

Genesis 11:27. Here begins the story of Abram. We have here, 1st, His country: Ur of the Chaldees An idolatrous country, where even the children of Eber themselves degenerated. 2d, His relations, mentioned for his sake, and because of their interest in the following story. His father was Terah, of whom it is said, Joshua 24:2, that he served other gods on the other side the flood; so early did idolatry gain footing in the world. His brethren were, Nahor, out of whose family both Isaac and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:1-9

Rebellion against God at Babel (11:1-9)Babel was one of the cities founded by Nimrod in the land of Shinar, ancient Babylonia (see 10:8-12). The people of this region, proud of the society they had established, displayed the same anti-God spirit as had brought about God’s judgment through the flood. They joined together to build for themselves a new city that would make them famous and give them complete security. They decided to crown their city with what they considered to be a skyscraper, as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:10-26

Preparation for Abram (11:10-26)During the period between Noah and Abram, the earth’s population increased greatly. People migrated to various regions, and many tribal groups, even nations, were established (see 10:1-32). It appears from this that there must have been more than ten generations between Noah and Abram. In that case, the genealogy recorded here has been simplified, the ten names listed being those of ten leading men of that period. (See notes on 5:1-32.)The genealogy from Shem to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:27-32

11:27-15:21 ABRAM’S ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LANDAbram obeys God’s call (11:27-12:9)From the nations of the world God now chose one man through whom he would build a new nation, which, in turn, would be the means of bringing his blessing to the whole world (see 12:2-3). God’s chosen man, Abram (later called Abraham), lived originally in the idolatrous city of Ur in ancient Babylonia. Although others in his family worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2), Abram worshipped the one true God and obeyed him... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 11:1

earth = people of the earth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6 ; "earth" put for inhabitants. language. Hebrew "lip". Figure of speech Metonymy (of cause); lip put for language. The chapter begins with man's attempt to unify mankind, and ends with God's new provision to unify all in blessing with Abraham's seed. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 11:2

from the east = eastward. Shinar = Babylonia. read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:3-4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 11:27

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:1-9

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:10-26

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:27-32

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 11:1

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 11:2

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