CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 11:2 And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/11-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_11_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 11:2 - The Tower of Babel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/11-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/11-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/11-1.htm" title="Genesis 11:1">◄</a> Genesis 11:2 <a href="/genesis/11-3.htm" title="Genesis 11:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And it came about, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it happened as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but after some of them moved from the east and settled in Babylonia, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />As people moved toward the east, they found a plain in Shinar [Babylonia] and settled there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />As they wandered about in the East, they came to a plain in Babylonia and settled there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As people migrated westward, they came across a plain in the region of Shinar and settled there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened, as they traveled from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it comes to pass, in their journeying from the east, that they find a valley in the land of Shinar and dwell there;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and it cometh to pass, in their journeying from the east, that they find a valley in the land of Shinar, and dwell there;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be in their removing from the east they shall find a valley in the land of Shmar; and they shall dwell there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when they removed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when they were advancing from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they were migrating from the east, they came to a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as men journeyed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sinar; and they settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it was that when they picked up from the East, they found a valley in the land of Senar and they dwelt there.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass as they moved from the east, they found a plain in the land of Senaar, and they dwelt there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/11-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2311" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/11.htm">The Tower of Babel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/5265.htm" title="5265: bə·nā·sə·‘ām (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To pull out or up, set out, journey. A primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. Start on a journey.">as people journeyed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: miq·qe·ḏem (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">eastward,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: way·yim·ṣə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To attain to, find. ">they found</a> <a href="/hebrew/1237.htm" title="1237: ḇiq·‘āh (N-fs) -- A valley, plain. From baqa'; properly, a split, i.e. A wide level valley between mountains.">a plain</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’e·reṣ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/8152.htm" title="8152: šin·‘ār (N-proper-fs) -- Another name for Bab. Probably of foreign derivation; Shinar, a plain in Babylonia.">of Shinar</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šə·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and settled</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-8.htm">Genesis 10:8-10</a></span><br />Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. / He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.” / His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Genesis 9:1</a></span><br />And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-32.htm">Genesis 10:32</a></span><br />All these are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their generations and nations. From these the nations of the earth spread out after the flood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-11.htm">Genesis 13:11</a></span><br />So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-19.htm">Genesis 9:19</a></span><br />These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-25.htm">Genesis 10:25</a></span><br />Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Genesis 10:5</a></span><br />From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-18.htm">Genesis 10:18-20</a></span><br />the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Later the Canaanite clans were scattered, / and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. / These are the sons of Ham according to their clans, languages, lands, and nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-30.htm">Genesis 10:30</a></span><br />Their territory extended from Mesha to Sephar, in the eastern hill country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-9.htm">Acts 2:9-11</a></span><br />Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, / Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, / both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-15.htm">Revelation 17:15</a></span><br />Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-6.htm">Revelation 14:6</a></span><br />Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelled there.</p><p class="hdg">from the east.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-11.htm">Genesis 13:11</a></b></br> Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.</p><p class="hdg">Shinar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-9.htm">Genesis 11:9</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-10.htm">Genesis 10:10</a></b></br> And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-1.htm">Genesis 14:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/10-30.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/genesis/10-30.htm">East</a> <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Eastward</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Find</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm">Found</a> <a href="/acts/26-13.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/acts/26-13.htm">Journeying</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-22.htm">Living-Place</a> <a href="/genesis/7-21.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/revelation/20-9.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm">Settled</a> <a href="/genesis/10-10.htm">Shinar</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-14.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/acts/28-15.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/john/18-1.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Wandering</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">East</a> <a href="/genesis/13-11.htm">Eastward</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/leviticus/2-5.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/genesis/16-7.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Journeying</a> <a href="/genesis/26-17.htm">Living-Place</a> <a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/genesis/13-12.htm">Settled</a> <a href="/genesis/14-1.htm">Shinar</a> <a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/genesis/13-11.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/genesis/20-13.htm">Wandering</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-1.htm">One language in the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-2.htm">The building of Babel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-5.htm">It is interrupted by the confusion of tongues, and the builders dispersed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-10.htm">The generations of Shem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-27.htm">The generations of Terah, the father of Abram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Terah, with Abram and Lot, move from Ur to Haran.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And as people journeyed eastward</b><br>This phrase indicates a movement of people after the events of the Flood and the dispersion of Noah's descendants. The direction "eastward" is significant in biblical narratives, often symbolizing movement away from God's presence or divine favor, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-24.htm">Genesis 3:24</a> when Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden. This journey reflects humanity's continued spread across the earth, fulfilling God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (<a href="/genesis/9.htm">Genesis 9:1</a>). The eastward movement also connects to the migration of Cain in <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm">Genesis 4:16</a>, suggesting a recurring theme of separation and dispersion.<p><b>they found a plain in the land of Shinar</b><br>The land of Shinar is historically identified with the region of Mesopotamia, specifically the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This fertile plain is significant as it becomes the setting for the Tower of Babel narrative. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of early civilizations in this region, known for their advancements in agriculture and urban development. Shinar is later associated with Babylon, a city that becomes symbolic of human pride and rebellion against God throughout Scripture, notably in the Book of Revelation.<p><b>and settled there</b><br>The decision to settle in Shinar marks a pivotal moment in human history, as it represents a shift from nomadic life to urbanization and the establishment of cities. This settlement sets the stage for the construction of the Tower of Babel, an act of defiance against God's command to fill the earth. The desire to settle and build a city reflects humanity's inclination towards self-sufficiency and unity apart from God. This theme of human pride and rebellion is echoed in later biblical narratives, such as the construction of Babylon and its eventual downfall, serving as a type of the ultimate judgment against human arrogance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/people.htm">People</a></b><br>The descendants of Noah, who were repopulating the earth after the flood. They represent humanity's collective journey and decision-making.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/journey_eastward.htm">Journey Eastward</a></b><br>This movement signifies a migration or transition, often associated with moving away from God's presence or command, as seen in other biblical accounts.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/plain_in_the_land_of_shinar.htm">Plain in the Land of Shinar</a></b><br>Shinar is a region in ancient Mesopotamia, often associated with Babylon. It becomes a significant location for the events of the Tower of Babel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/settlement.htm">Settlement</a></b><br>The act of settling indicates a decision to establish a community, which sets the stage for the subsequent events of building the Tower of Babel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_direction.htm">The Significance of Direction</a></b><br>In biblical accounts, moving eastward often symbolizes moving away from God's will or presence. Reflect on the directions in your life and whether they align with God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_decisions.htm">The Importance of Community Decisions</a></b><br>The decision to settle in Shinar was a collective one. Consider how community decisions impact your spiritual journey and the importance of seeking God's will in communal settings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_settling.htm">The Dangers of Settling</a></b><br>Settling can imply comfort and complacency. Evaluate areas in your life where you may have settled spiritually and how you can pursue growth and alignment with God's purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_geography_in_spiritual_narratives.htm">The Role of Geography in Spiritual Narratives</a></b><br>Physical locations in the Bible often have spiritual significance. Reflect on how your environment influences your spiritual life and how you can create spaces that honor God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_shinar's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is the significance of Shinar in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_we_avoid_following_the_crowd.htm">What is the significance of Shinar in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_linguistics_contradict_babel.htm">Why do linguistic studies contradict the Tower of Babel story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_trace_human_origins_to_africa.htm">Why do genetic markers trace humanity’s origins to Africa, not the Middle East?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">As they journeyed.</span>--The word literally refers to the pulling up of the tent-pegs, and sets the human family before us as a band of nomads, wandering from place to place, and shifting their tents as their cattle needed fresh pasture.<p><span class= "bld">From the east.</span>--So all the versions. Mount Ararat was to the north-west of Shinar, and while so lofty a mountain could not have been the spot where the ark rested, yet neither could any portion of Armenia or of the Carduchian mountains be described as to the east of Babylonia. The Chaldean legends make the ark rest on Mount Nizir, or Elwend, on the east of Assyria; and though Ararat may possibly signify <span class= "ital">Aryaverta, </span>"Holy Land," yet the transference of the name from Elwend to Armenia is not easily explicable. Moreover, the Bible elsewhere seems to point to Armenia as the cradle of the human race. Most modern commentators, therefore, translate <span class= "ital">eastward, </span>and such certainly is the meaning of the word in <a href="/genesis/13-11.htm" title="Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.">Genesis 13:11</a>, where also the versions, excepting our own, render <span class= "ital">from the east.</span><p><span class= "bld">Land of Shinar.</span>--See on <a href="/genesis/10-10.htm" title="And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.">Genesis 10:10</a>. The whole of Chaldea is a level plain, and the soil immensely rich, as it is an alluvial deposit, which still goes on forming at the head of the Persian Gulf, at the rate of a mile in a period estimated at from seventy to thirty years (Rawlinson, <span class= "ital">Anc. Mon., </span>i. 4). A strip of land 130 miles in breadth has been added to the country, by the deposit of the earth washed down by the Tigris and Euphrates, since the time when Ur of the Chaldees was a great port.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And it came to pass, as they journeyed</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">in their journeyings</span>. The root (<span class="hebrew">גָקַע</span>, to pull up, as, e.g., the stakes of a tent when a camp moves, <a href="/isaiah/33-20.htm">Isaiah 33:20</a>) suggests the idea of the migration of nomadic hordes (cf. <a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Genesis 12:9</a>; <a href="/genesis/33-17.htm">Genesis 33:17</a>). <span class="cmt_word">From the east</span>. <span class="accented">Ab oriente</span> (Ancient Versions, Calvin, <span class="accented">et alii</span>), meaning either that they started from Armenia, which was in the east <span class="accented">respectu terrae Canaan</span> (Luther), or from that portion of the Assyrian empire which was east of the Tigris, and called Orientalis, as distinguished from the Occidentalis on the west (Bochart); or that they first traveled westwards, following the direction of the Euphrates in one of its upper branches (Bush); or that, having roamed to the east of Shinar, they ultimately returned <span class="accented">occidentem versus</span> (Junius). The phrase, however, is admitted to be more correctly rendered <span class="accented">ad</span> <span class="accented">orientem</span> (Drusius, Lange, Keil, Murphy), as in <a href="/genesis/13-11.htm">Genesis 13:11</a>. Kalisch interprets generally <span class="accented">in oriente</span>, agreeing with Luther that the migrations are viewed by the writer as taking place in the east; while T. Lewis prefers to read from one front part (the original meaning of <span class="accented">kedem</span>) to another - onwards. <span class="cmt_word">That they found a plain</span> <span class="hebrew">בִּקְעָה</span>; not a valley between mountain ranges, as in <a href="/deuteronomy/8-7.htm">Deuteronomy 8:7</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-11.htm">Deuteronomy 11:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-8.htm">Psalm 104:8</a>, but a widely-extended plain (<span class="greek">πεδίον</span>, LXX.), like that in which Babylon was situated (Herod., lib. 1:178, <span class="greek">κέεται ἐν πεδιῳ μεγάλῳ</span>; cf. Strabo, lib. 2:109). <span class="cmt_word">In the land of Shinar.</span> Babylonia (cf. <a href="/genesis/10-10.htm">Genesis 10:10</a>). The derivation of the term is unknown (Gesenius), though it probably meant the land of the two rivers (Alford). Its absence from ancient monuments (Rawlinson) suggests that it was the Jewish name for Chaldaea. <span class="cmt_word">And they dwelt there</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/11-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as people journeyed</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנָסְעָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nā·sə·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5265.htm">Strong's 5265: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eastward,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקֶּ֑דֶם</span> <span class="translit">(miq·qe·ḏem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> </span><span class="str2">The front, of place, time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they found</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּמְצְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yim·ṣə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a plain</span><br /><span class="heb">בִקְעָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇiq·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1237.htm">Strong's 1237: </a> </span><span class="str2">A split, a wide level valley between mountains</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the land</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֶ֥רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Shinar</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁנְעָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(šin·‘ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8152.htm">Strong's 8152: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shinar -- another name for Babylon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and settled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/11-2.htm">Genesis 11:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/11-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 11:2 It happened as they traveled east that (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/11-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 11:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 11:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/11-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 11:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 11:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>