Genesis 11 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

The old distinction between the sons of God and the sons of men (professors and profane) survived the flood, and now appeared again, when men began to multiply: according to this distinction we have, in this chapter, I. The dispersion of the sons of men at Babel (ver. 1-9), where we have, 1. Their presumptuous provoking design, which was to build a city and a tower, ver. 1-4. 2. The righteous judgment of God upon them in disappointing their design, by confounding their language, and so scattering them, ver. 5-9. II. The pedigree of the sons of God down to Abraham (ver. 10-26), with a general account of his family, and removal out of his native country, ver. 27, &c.

The Confusion of Tongues. (b. c. 2247.)

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Read today's devotional Save my progress

More for Genesis 11

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Genesis 11 — OverviewGenesis 11 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGenesis 11:1, One language in the world; Genesis 11:2, The building of Babel; Genesis 11:5, It is interrupted by the confusion of tongues, and the builders dispersed; Genesis 11:10, The generations of Shem; Genesis…Genesis 11 — OverviewGenesis 11 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter gives an account of the inhabitants of the earth before the confusion of tongues at Babel, of their speech and language, which was one and the same, and of the place where they dwelt, Ge 11:1 and of their…Genesis 11:1-4Genesis 11:1-4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe close of the foregoing chapter tells us that by the sons of Noah, or among the sons of Noah, the nations were divided in the earth after the flood, that is, were distinguished into several tribes or colonies;…Genesis 11:1Genesis 11:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd the whole earth. I.e. the entire population of the globe, and not simply the inhabitants of the land of Shinar (Ingiis; cf. Genesis 9:29). Was. Prior to the dispersion spoken of in the preceding chapter, though…Genesis 11:1Genesis 11:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnity of language. 1. The original birthright of the human race. 2. The lost inheritance of sinful men. 3. The ultimate goal of the Christian dispensation. 4. The recovered heritage of redeemed humanity.—W.Genesis 11:1-9Genesis 11:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryOrder brought forth. We are now to trace the rise of the kingdom of God among the nations. Already in the case of Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord, that is, by permission of Divine providence, the antagonism…

commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Tower That Couldn't ReachThey built a tower to reach heaven. God had to come down to see it. Human self-sufficiency always overestimates its height. Trust the God who needs no tower.DiscipleDeck devotionEvery Nation in His HandGenesis 10 is not a boring genealogy. It's a declaration: every nation on earth is known to God. None are outside His governance or His love.DiscipleDeck