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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 11:1-32

The Tower of Babel. The Descendants of Shem to AbrahamWe have here the ancient Hebrew explanation of the diversity of human language, and of the wide dispersion of the human race. Babylon is represented as the original centre of human civilisation after the Flood. The splendid buildings of Babylonia were among the most remarkable achievements of human power and pride. But they were repugnant to the Jews as being associated with idolatry, and their erection is here regarded as rebellion against... 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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 11:1-32

BABEL: THE CITY AND THE TOWER Up to this time there was only one language. In the world today men wish they could have this advantage, but God is wiser than men. Men desire this for the very same reason that Caused God to impose various languages upon them. They are infected by pride that wants to unite independently of God, so as to have a great civilization. They journeyed "from the east," literally "from the sun rising." This is strikingly typical of man's turning his back upon the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:1-32

THE TOWER OF BABEL The contents of this chapter seem to precede in time those of chapter 10. There we have the story of how the nations were divided, and here why they were divided. What was true of the race linguistically until this time (Genesis 11:1 )? To what locality had they been chiefly attracted (Genesis 11:2 )? What new mechanical science is now named (Genesis 11:3 )? What two-fold purpose was the outcome of this invention (Genesis 11:4 )? What was the object in view? Is there a... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:10-32

THE ORIGIN OF ISRAEL THE DIVINE PURPOSE We have reached a fourth experiment in God’s dealings with the apostate race, only this shall not ultimately be the failure the others proved. It should be understood, however, that in speaking of failure the reference is to man’s part and not God’s. Before the flood the sin of the race was atheism, outright denial of divine authority with the indulgence of sinful lusts it produced and the dissolution of moral and social bonds. But after the flood... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 11:1-32

On the Building of Babel Genesis 11:0 Comparing this account with our own method of life and art, it is clear that from the beginning of time men have been doing pretty much the same thing all the world over. The world's story is but short; it is very much like a series of repetitions: the actors, indeed, have been innumerable, but the drama has always been contracted, and seldom profound. The actors have made noise enough, but when there has been a little break through the dust, we have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 11:27-32

27-32 Here begins the story of Abram, whose name is famous in both Testaments. Even the children of Eber had become worshippers of false gods. Those who are through grace, heirs of the land of promise, ought to remember what was the land of their birth; what was their corrupt and sinful state by nature. Abram's brethren were, Nahor, out of whose family both Isaac and Jacob had their wives; and Haran, the father of Lot, who died before his father. Children cannot be sure that they shall outlive... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 11:27-32

The Generations of Terah v. 27. Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. Haran may have been the oldest son, and his son Lot was nearer to Abraham's age. v. 28. And Haran died before, that is, during the lifetime of, his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. This, then, was the ancestral home of this family of the descendants of Shem. v. 29. And Abram and Nahor took them wives; the name of Abram's wife was... read more

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