Bible Strands
Genesis 11:1
Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records a universal condition of linguistic unity at the opening of the Shinar narrative, preceding the account of human migration and settlement.
The words — שָׂפָה (sāpâ) denotes a distinct tongue, and אֶחָת ('eḥāṯ) specifies singularity, together establishing the literal baseline of "one language."
The thread — This premise of total human cohesion appears as a structural contrast in Acts 2:6, Zephaniah 3:9, and Isaiah 19:18, where unified or restored speech intersects with divine action.
Why it lands — The verse states a historical fact of complete linguistic uniformity that the cited passages treat as a condition requiring divine intervention or reversal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Cross-references
- Acts 2:6 And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
- Zephaniah 3:9 For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
- Isaiah 19:18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of Hosts. One of them will be called the City of the Sun.