King James Version
Genesis 11:7 in the King James Version says “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.”
Genesis 11:7 · KJV
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.
So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Babel: that is, Confusion
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Go to”
H3051to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
“let us go 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 there confound”
H1101to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
“speech”
H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
“that”
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“they may not understand”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
“speech”
H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, 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 11:7 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 11:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge