The Tower of Babel
Genesis 11
The people of one language settle in the plain of Senaar and build a city and tower reaching toward heaven, so the Lord confuses their speech and scatters them over the earth. The chapter then traces the genealogy from Sem down to Tharrha, the father of Abram, Nachor, and Arrhan.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW when the whole earth was of one lip and all had one voice,
BrentonAnd all the earth was one lip, and there was one language to all.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν πᾶσα ἡ γῆ χεῖλος ἓν, καὶ φωνὴ μία πᾶσι.
KJVAnd the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
JPSAnd the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.
2
Thomsonit came to pass as they were moving from the east that they found a plain in the land of Sennaar and settled there.
BrentonAnd it came to pass as they moved from the east, they found a plain in the land of Senaar, and they dwelt there.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κινῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν, εὗρον πεδίον ἐν γῇ Σεναὰρ, καὶ κατῴκησαν ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
JPSAnd it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3
ThomsonAnd they said one to another, Come let us make bricks and bake them with fire. Now the bricks served them for stone and their mortar was asphalt.
BrentonAnd a man said to his neighbour, Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire. And the brick was to them for stone, and their mortar was bitumen.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ἄνθρωπος τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ, δεῦτε πλινθεύσωμεν πλίνθους, καὶ ὀπτήσωμεν αὐτὰς πυρί· καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτοῖς ἡ πλίνθος εἰς λίθον, καὶ ἄσφαλτος ἦν αὐτοῖς ὁ πηλός.
KJVAnd they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
JPSAnd they said one to another: ‘Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
4
ThomsonAnd they said, Come, let us build for ourselves a city and a tower, the top of which shall be up to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves before we be scattered on the face of the whole earth.
BrentonAnd they said, Come, let us build to ourselves a city and tower, whose top shall be to heaven, and let us make to ourselves a name, before we are scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν, δεῦτε οἰκοδομήσωμεν ἑαυτοῖς πόλιν καὶ πύργον, οὗ ἔσται ἡ κεφαλὴ ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ποιήσωμεν ἑαυτοῖς ὄνομα, πρὸ τοῦ διασπαρῆναι ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ προσώπου πάσης τῆς γῆς.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd they said: ‘Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, with its top in heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’
5
ThomsonAnd the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men were building.
BrentonAnd the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men built.
GreekΚαὶ κατέβη Κύριος ἰδεῖν τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὸν πύργον, ὃν ᾠκοδόμησαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
KJVAnd the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
JPSAnd the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6
ThomsonAnd the Lord said, Behold they are all of one race and one lip. And this they have begun to do; and now nothing will fail of all which they may determine to do.
BrentonAnd the Lord said, Behold, there is one race, and one lip of all, and they have begun to do this, and now nothing shall fail from them of all that they may have undertaken to do.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος, ἰδοὺ γένος ἓν, καὶ χεῖλος ἓν πάντων, καὶ τοῦτο ἤρξαντο ποιῆσαι, καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἐκλείψει ἀπʼ αὐτῶν πάντα ὅσα ἂν ἐπιθῶνται ποιεῖν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the LORD said: ‘Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.
7
ThomsonCome, let us go down and there confound their language that they may not understand each other’s voice.
BrentonCome, and having gone down let us there confound their tongue, that they may not understand each the voice of his neighbour.
GreekΔεῦτε, καὶ καταβάντες συγχέωμεν αὐτῶν ἐκεῖ τὴν γλῶσσαν, ἵνα μὴ ἀκούσωσιν ἕκαστος τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ πλησίον.
KJVGo to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
JPSCome, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.’
8
ThomsonSo the Lord dispersed them from that place over the face of the whole earth, and they left off building the city and the tower.
BrentonAnd the Lord scattered them thence over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city and the tower.
GreekΚαὶ διέσπειρεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐκεῖθεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς· καὶ ἐπαύσαντο οἰκοδομοῦντες τῆν πόλιν καὶ τὸν πύργον.
KJVSo the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
JPSSo the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off to build the city.
9
ThomsonFor this cause the name of it was called CONFUSION [Babel], because there the Lord confounded the lips of the whole earth, and dispersed them thence over the face of the whole earth.
BrentonOn this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς, Σύγχυσις, ὅτι ἐκεῖ συνέχεε Κύριος τὰ χείλη πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐκεῖθεν διέσπειρεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς.
KJVTherefore 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.
JPSTherefore was the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there aconfound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
10
ThomsonNow these are the generations of Sem. Sem was an hundred years old when he begot Arphaxad the second year after the flood.
BrentonAnd these are the generations of Sem: and Sem was a hundred years old when he begot Arphaxad, the second year after the flood.
GreekΚαὶ αὗται αἱ γενέσεις Σήμ· καὶ ἦν Σὴμ υἱὸς ἑκατὸν ἐτῶν, ὅτε ἐγέννησε τὸν Ἀρφαξὰδ, δευτέρου ἔτους μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν.
KJVThese are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
JPSThese are the generations of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and begot Arpachshad two years after the flood.
11
ThomsonAnd Sem lived after he begot Arphaxad five hundred years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Sem lived, after he had begotten Arphaxad, five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Σὴμ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Ἀρφαξὰδ, ἔτη πεντακόσια, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Shem lived after he begot Arpachshad five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.
12
ThomsonAnd Arphaxad lived a hundred and thirty-five years and begot Kainan. And Arphaxad lived after he begot Kainan four hundred years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Arphaxad lived a hundred and thirty-five years, and begot Cainan.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησεν Ἀρφαξὰδ ἑκατὸν τριακονταπέντε ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Καϊνᾶν.
KJVAnd Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:
JPSAnd Arpachshad lived five and thirty years, and begot Shelah.
13
ThomsonAnd Kainan lived a hundred and thirty years and begot Sala; and Kainan lived after he begot Sala three hundred and thirty years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Arphaxad lived after he had begotten Cainan, four hundred years, and begot sons and daughters, and died. And Cainan lived a hundred and thirty years and begot Sala; and Cainan lived after he had begotten Sala, three hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησεν Ἀρφαξὰδ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Καϊνᾶν, ἔτη τετρακόσια, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε. Καὶ ἔζησε Καϊνᾶν ἑκατὸν καὶ τριάκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλά· καὶ ἔξησε Καϊνᾶν, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Σαλὰ, ἔτη τριακόσια τριάκοντα, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Arpachshad lived after he begot Shelah four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.
14
ThomsonAnd Sala lived a hundred and thirty years and begot Eber;
BrentonAnd Sala lived an hundred and thirty years, and begot Heber.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Σαλὰ ἑκατὸν τριάκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ἕβερ.
KJVAnd Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
JPSAnd Shelah lived thirty years, and begot Eber.
15
Thomsonand Sala lived after he begot Eber three hundred and thirty years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Sala lived after he had begotten Heber, three hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Σαλὰ μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Ἕβερ, τριακόσια τριάκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας· καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Shelah lived after he begot Eber four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.
16
ThomsonAnd Eber lived a hundred and thirty-four years and begot Phaleg;
BrentonAnd Heber lived an hundred and thirty-four years, and begot Phaleg.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησεν Ἕβερ ἑκατὸν τριάκοντα τέσσαρα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαλέγ.
KJVAnd Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
JPSAnd Eber lived four and thirty years, and begot Peleg.
17
Thomsonand Eber lived after he begot Phaleg two hundred and seventy years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Heber lived after he had begotten Phaleg two hundred and seventy years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔξησεν Ἕβερ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Φαλὲγ, ἔτη διακόσια ἑβδομήκοντα, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Eber lived after he begot Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.
18
ThomsonAnd Phaleg lived a hundred and thirty years and begot Ragau;
BrentonAnd Phaleg lived an hundred and thirty years, and begot Ragau.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Φαλὲγ τριάκοντα καὶ ἑκατὸν ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ῥαγαῦ.
KJVAnd Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:
JPSAnd Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu.
19
Thomsonand Phaleg lived after he begot Ragau two hundred and nine years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Phaleg lived after he had begotten Ragau, two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Φαλὲγ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Ῥαγαῦ, ἐννέα καὶ διακόσια ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς και θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Peleg lived after he begot Reu two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.
20
ThomsonAnd Ragau lived a hundred and thirty-two years and begot Serouch;
BrentonAnd Ragau lived an hundred thirty and two years, and begot Seruch.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Ῥαγαὺ ἑκατὸν τριάκοντα καὶ δύο ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σερούχ.
KJVAnd Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:
JPSAnd Reu lived two and thirty years, and begot Serug.
21
Thomsonand Ragau lived after he begot Serouch two hundred and seven years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Ragau lived after he had begotten Seruch, two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Ῥαγαῦ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Σεροὺχ, διακόσια ἑπτὰ ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Reu lived after he begot Serug two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.
22
ThomsonAnd Serouch lived a hundred and thirty years and begot Nachor;
BrentonAnd Seruch lived a hundred and thirty years, and begot Nachor.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Σεροὺχ ἑκατὸν τριάκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναχώρ.
KJVAnd Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:
JPSAnd Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor.
23
Thomsonand Serouch lived after he begot Nachor two hundred years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Seruch lived after he had begotten Nachor, two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Σεροὺχ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Ναχὼρ, ἔτη διακόσια, καὶ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Serug lived after he begot Nahor two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.
24
ThomsonAnd Nachor lived a hundred and seventy-nine years and begot Tharra;
BrentonAnd Nachor lived a hundred and seventy-nine years, and begot Tharrha.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Ναχὼρ ἔτη ἑκατὸν ἑβδομηκονταεννέα, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Θάῤῥα.
KJVAnd Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
JPSAnd Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begot Terah.
25
Thomsonand Nachor lived after he begot Tharra a hundred and twenty-five years and begot sons and daughters, and died.
BrentonAnd Nachor lived after he had begotten Tharrha, an hundred and twenty-five years, and begot sons and daughters, and he died.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Ναχὼρ, μετὰ τὸ γεννῆσαι αὐτὸν τὸν Θάῤῥα, ἔτη ἑκατὸν εἰκοσιπὲντε, καὶ ἐγεννησεν υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
JPSAnd Nahor lived after he begot Terah a hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters.
26
ThomsonAnd Tharra lived seventy years and begot Abram and Nachor and Arran.
BrentonAnd Tharrha lived seventy years, and begot Abram, and Nachor, and Arrhan.
GreekΚαὶ ἔζησε Θάῤῥα ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ἄβραμ, καὶ τὸν Ναχὼρ, καὶ τὸν Ἀῤῥάν.
KJVAnd Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
JPSAnd Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27
ThomsonNow these are the generations of Tharra. Tharra begot Abram and Nachor and Arran; and Arran begot Lot.
BrentonAnd these are the generations of Tharrha. Tharrha begot Abram and Nachor, and Arrhan; and Arrhan begot Lot.
GreekΑὗται δὲ αἱ γενέσεις Θάῤῥα· Θάῤῥα ἐγέννησε τὸν Ἅβραμ, καὶ τὸν Ναχὼρ, καὶ τὸν Ἀῤῥάν· καὶ Ἀῤῥὰν ἐγέννησε τὸν Λώτ.
KJVNow these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
JPSNow these are the generations of Terah. Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begot Lot.
28
ThomsonAnd Arran died in the presence of his father Tharra in the land in which he was born in the country of the Chaldeans.
BrentonAnd Arrhan died in the presence of Tharrha his father, in the land in which he was born, in the country of the Chaldees.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἀῤῥὰν ἐνώπιον Θάῤῥα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ γῇ ᾗ ἐγενήθη, ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ τῶν Χαλδαίων.
KJVAnd Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
JPSAnd Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
29
ThomsonAnd Abram and Nachor took themselves wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sara, and the name of Nachor’s wife, Malcha, a daughter of Arran, who was the father of Malcha and the father of Jescha.
BrentonAnd Abram and Nachor took to themselves wives, the name of the wife of Abram was Sara, and the name of the wife of Nachor, Malcha, daughter of Arrhan, and he was the father of Malcha, the father of Jescha.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβον Ἅβραμ καὶ Ναχὼρ ἑαυτοῖς γυναῖκας· ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ Ἅβραμ, Σάρα, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ Ναχὼρ, Μελχά, θυγάτηρ Ἀῤῥάν· καὶ πατὴρ Μελχὰ, καὶ πατὴρ Ἰεσχά.
KJVAnd Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
JPSAnd Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
30
ThomsonAnd Sara was barren and did not bear children.
BrentonAnd Sara was barren, and did not bear children.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν Σάρα στεῖρα, καὶ οὐκ ἐτεκνοποίει.
KJV—
JPS—
31
ThomsonAnd Tharra took Abram his son and Lot the son of Arran, his grandson, and Sara his daughter-in-law, the wife of his son Abram, and led them out of the country of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Chanaan. But when they came to Charran he took up his abode there.
BrentonAnd Tharrha took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Arrhan, the son of his son, and Sara his daughter-in-law, the wife of Abram his son, and led them forth out of the land of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Chanaan, and they came as far as Charrhan, and he dwelt there.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Θάῤῥα τὸν Ἅβραμ υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν Λὼτ υἱὸν Ἀῤῥάν, υἱὸν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν Σάραν τὴν νύμφην αὐτοῦ, γυναῖκα Ἅβραμ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς χώρας τῶν Χαλδαίων, πορευθῆναι εἰς γῆν Χαναάν· καὶ ἦλθον ἕως Χαῤῥὰν, καὶ κατῴκησεν ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
JPSAnd Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
32
ThomsonAnd in the land of Charran, all the days of Tharra were two hundred and five years. And Tharra died in Charran.
BrentonAnd all the days of Tharrha in the land of Charrhan were two hundred and five years, and Tharrha died in Charrhan.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένοντο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι Θάῤῥα ἐν γῇ Χαῤῥὰν, διακόσια πέντε ἔτη· καὶ ἀπέθανε Θάῤῥα ἐν Χαῤῥάν.
KJVAnd the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
JPSAnd the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.