Bible Studies In The Word of God

The Book of Genesis ~ Chapter Eleven
Commentary by E.M. Zerr

GENESIS 11

 

 

Verse 1. Language. This is from SAPHAH and defined "the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language”—Strong. Speech. This is from DABAR and defined as "a word; by Implication a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause"— Strong. Thus the two words used together as they are in this verse have almost the same meaning. Yet the fact of their both being used together calls our attention to a special idea in the definition of the latter one, that of “adverbially, a cause.” This means that the one "lip” spoken of signified that not only did the people use the one language, but they were interested in one cause. That cause will appear in a statement and scheme soon to follow.

Verse 2. From the east. The marginal reading here gives us "eastward.” Not much importance Is attached to this distinction, yet the marginal theory has something worth considering. A look at the map would show the region of Ararat, the place where Noah disembarked, as being more westward than otherwise, of the plain of Shinar, the place where the events of the present actions took place. And the naming of Shinar as the place of present events connects it with the statements in 10:11. It is noteworthy that Nimrod was the founder of Babel. This was stated in previous chapter as a related fact of Nimrod although the work was not done until the present chapter. And it 1s worthy of note that Nimrod, the mighty hunter, and founder of the great city and people of Babylon, was a part of the family "tree" of Ham.

Verse 3. Burn them thoroughly. The student of history and geography will learn .that brick made and used In the south countries, such as Egypt and in the south parts of the U.S. were not always burned. Instead, they were made into the form of adobe. This was permissible because of the small amount of rainfall there. It would not necessarily be different in seasons in the place where people were now pausing. But the fact of their intending to build a tower of such great height would make it necessary to burn the brick in order to withstand the physical pressure exerted on them. Slime. This Is from CHEMAB and defined as "bitumen”— Strong. It was of the nature of asphalt except of somewhat harder nature.

Verse 4. Unto heaven. These people did not know anything about "heaven” as the abode of God for that region Is not visible to the natural eye and no one would ever think of trying to reach it by a ma¬terial means. But the reader is asked to consult notes at 1:6, 20 and see the meaning of this word as used regarding the material universe. The sky or atmosphere was the place these people had iin mtnd. Their idea was to build a tower so high that, as a boy might exclaim regarding the height of his kite, reached up to the sky. Their motives for such a scheme are given in latter part of the verse. They wanted to make a name for themselves, and also wished to avoid being scattered over the earth. But in this last motive they thought to contravene the command of God as given in 1:28 and repeated to Noah in 9:1. For it would be impossible to fill the earth with their kind unless they spread out over the earth.

Verses 5, 6. Lord came down. God does not personally come away from the heaven of his dwelling place. But when it Is said that he goes or comes to places on this earth, it means he Is represented by an angel. See 18:21 where it says of the Lord “I will go down now” in reference to the report of the wickedness of Sodom. This was done through the angels as will be seen in 19:1. And thus in the case now considered, God proposes to visit the place of this rebellion through his divine representative. And all this is in keeping with the principle of God’s dealings with man. He does not propose to know that man fears him until It is shown by his works. See 22:12. On the same principle of Justice, he will not accuse man of wrong doing until the case has been Investigated and then decided upon testimony. People is one. Here Is a divine tribute to the strength of unity. As long as people are united In their alms and works they are encouraged to succeed. This is indicated by the statement in the close of this paragraph. And It Is no less true today that unity will accomplish what cannot be accom-plished otherwise. For this consid-eration compare John 17:21.

Verse 7. Us. For this see note at 1:26. Confound their language. The  first word in this citation la from a word that means "to mix.” The result of mixing their language was to put an end to their scheme. It is another principle of fact and truth that Is acknowledged all through the sa¬cred teachings. If all of God's people speak the same thing they will be able to accomplish the work God requires. Hence the command that they be of the same mind and judgment. The reader is earnestly requested to consult the following, Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; Rom. 15: 6.

Verses 8, 9. This Is one Instance where confusion was a good thing. It is always right to confuse evil doers In their evil attempts. And here is the historic circumstance that gives us the name and significance of Babel or Babylon. And hence the reason for referring to the confused condition of the religious world as Babylon.

Verses 10-26. This large number of verses are thus grouped on the same principle as was done in chapter 5. The importance of the names men¬tioned is net Ignored but as it Is an¬other place where the family history (designated by the word generations) is the burden of the passage, we will here he concerned chiefly in pointing out the place where each name Is re¬corded that forms the family tree. This will now bo done by naming the verse and the man in couplets, Shem and Arphaxed; 10, Salah; 12. Eber; 14. Peleg: 16. Reu; 18. Serug; 20. Nahor; 22. Tereh; 24. Abram; 26. Abram Is mentioned first of the three sons of Terah because of his Impor-tance. He was not the oldest. In verse 26 Terah was 70 when he be¬came a father. But he was 206 when he died according to verse 32 below. And that was the same time that Abram came into Canaan at which time he was 76 according to 12: 4. To sum up. If Abram was 75 when his father was 205, then Terah was 205 less 75, or 130 when Abram was born. Therefore Abram was not the oldest of Terah's sons.

 

Verses 27, 28. Ur of the Chaldees. The exact location of this place Is somewhat uncertain. Stephen says (Acts 7:2) that it was in Mesopotamia that Abram was dwelling when God appeared to him. This word means “between the rivers” and refers to the region between the two most important rivers there, the Euphrates and Tigris. But this was so extensive that a definite point as to  geography would be hard to determine. But the Chaldees was a term that had reference often to a colorful race of people and whose influence was in evidence throughout the greater part of the land of "the East.” Hence we should satisfy ourselves with the surety that Abram's native land was east of the great river Euphrates. Note in this para-graph that Haran, father of Lot, died In his native land. This will account for Abram’s taking his nephew Lot with him when he left.

Verse 29. Abram, and Nahor. The two remaining sons of Terah. Haran had died before this. Nahor’s seed will figure In the history of the people later.

Verse 30. Barren. The leading word Strong uses to define this word is "sterile.” This would mean that her inability to have children was solely from lack of fertility and not from any malformation of the reproductive organs. This is In accord with the fact which will be observed later, that after fertility had been provided by miracle, her body was prepared naturally to nourish the unborn child until the usual period for birth.

Verses 31, 32. To go into the land of Canaan. Thus the entrance into Canaan was not effected at this time. But on the way, at Haran, they halted evidently because of the age and infirmity of Terah, However, they had left the immediate location of their nativity as commanded by the Lord. But when Terah was dead they resumed the Journey.