King James Version
Genesis 11:5 in the King James Version says “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.”
Genesis 11:5 · KJV
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. they said: Heb. a man said to his neighbour burn: Heb. burn them to a burning
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.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
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.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“came down”
H3381to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
“And the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
“to see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and the tower”
H4026a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“which the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“of men”
H120ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Genesis 11:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 11:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge