Genesis 11

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 11:31

(31) They went forth with them.—This may possibly mean that they went forth in one body; but the phrase is strange, and the Samaritan, followed by the LXX. and Vulg.,by a slight transposition of the letters reads, “And he (Terah) brought them forth.”Haran.—The Charran of Acts 7:4, that is, Carrhae in North-west Mesopotamia, about twenty geographical miles south-east of Edessa. The name must not be confounded with that of Haran, the father of Lot, as really it is in the Heb. Kharan, and was so... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 11:32

(32) The days of Terah.—See note on Genesis 11:26. According to the Samaritan text, Abram left Haran in the same year as that in which Terah died. Nahor had probably joined Terah about this time, as we find him subsequently settled in Haran (Genesis 24:10); and moreover, Abram is expressly commanded to leave “his kindred and his father’s house,” whereas all those who are mentioned by name as going with Terah shared in Abram’s subsequent migration. (See Genesis 11:31.) read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 11:1-32

Youth and After Genesis 11:32 'And Terah died in Haran.' What of that? It was not until they came to Haran that they touched, as it were, their first footprints and found the old religion. There had been little temptation to pause before on the score of a people's worship, but when, worn out in body and mind, Abram suddenly came upon the old religion, his journeyings after another faith and form of worship were at an end. It was Abram the younger man who withstood the temptations of Haran. I.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:27-32

THE CALL OF ABRAHAMGenesis 11:27-32; Genesis 12:1-5WITH Abraham there opens a new chapter in the history of the race; a chapter of the profoundest significance. The consequences of Abraham’s movements and beliefs have been limitless and enduring. All succeeding time has been influenced by him. And yet there is in his life a remarkable simplicity, and an entire absence of such events as impress contemporaries. Among all the forgotten millions of his own time he stands alone a recognisable and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 11:1-32

CHAPTER 11:1-9 The Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the Nations 1. The unity of the nations in Shinar (Genesis 11:1-2 ) 2. Their attempt: “Let us make” (Genesis 11:3-4 ) 3. The divine answer: “Let us go down” (Genesis 11:5-7 ) 4. The Result (Genesis 11:8-9 ) All the earth had one language. This is also proven by philological research. The whole human family journeyed together. They left the mountainous regions and went down to the plain. This expresses their descent morally; they... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:2

11:2 And it came to pass, {a} as {b} they journeyed from the {c} east, that they found a plain in the land of {d} Shinar; and they dwelt there.(a) One hundred and thirty years after the flood.(b) That is, Nimrod and his company.(c) That is, from Armenia where the ark stayed.(d) Which was afterward called Chaldea. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:4

11:4 And they said, Go to, let us {e} 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.(e) They were moved with pride and ambition, preferring their own glory to God’s honour. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:5

11:5 And the LORD {f} came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.(f) Meaning, that he declared by effect, that he knew their wicked enterprise; for God’s power is everywhere, and neither ascends nor descends. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:6

11:6 And the LORD said, {g} 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.(g) God speaks this in derision, because of their foolish persuasion and enterprise. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:7

11:7 Go to, {h} let us go down, and {i} there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.(h) He speaks as though he took counsel with his own wisdom and power: that is, with the Son and holy Spirit: signifying the greatness and certainty of the punishment.(i) By this great plague of the confusion of tongues appears God’s horrible judgment against man’s pride and vain glory. read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 11:31

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 11:32

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 11:1-32

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:27-32

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 11:1-32

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:2

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:4

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:5

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:6

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 11:7

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