Genesis Chapter 11: Now Nothing Will Be Restrained From Them

Now Nothing Will Be Restrained From Them, Which They Have Imagined To Do

Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

Genesis 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

Mankind is said to be, here, converging upon the area that is ancient Babylon (land of Shinar).   When of one voice and strength man can accomplish anything—what makes it wrong is the intent and not our ability to do so.

Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

Genesis 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us 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.

At this time in history, a few thousand years ago, mankind was beaming with technological progress and ability in this part of the world (keep in mind there were people in other parts of the world who had also been in places for thousands of years who had established wonderful societies in other areas of Africa, North America, South America, Asia, India, Australia—for many thousands of years and Europe, among other areas).   The ability to work together for the common good for food, safety and advancement, is not a bad idea.  It only becomes evil when we work together in a way that is against God’s will.

Genesis 11:5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, 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.

Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

At this time the Bible gives us the direct lineage of Abraham, who is the patriarch of the Israeli people.

  • Shem (Noah’s son) begat:

  • Arphaxad, who begat:

  • Sala, who begat:

  • Eber, who begat:

  • Peleg, who begat:

  • Reu, who begat:

  • Serug, who begat:

  • Nahor, who begat:

  • Terah, who begat:

  • Abram (Abraham), Nahor and Haran (Haran was Lot’s father)

Terah took his son, Abram, Abram’s wife, Sarai, and Lot out of the land of “Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran and dwelt there.” (Genesis 11:31)

Danita Smith