![]() ![]() We are still looking at all the various tribes that descended from Noah, each group of people speaking their own language (lashon). The opening conjunction of Gen 11:1 (the word ‘and’) indicates that this text follows on naturally from Genesis 10. The word ‘ saphah’ (meaning ‘lip’) is used instead. ” The standard Biblical Hebrew word for ‘language’ ( lashon) is actually not used here. If we look carefully at the Hebrew text in Gen 11:1, it literally says: “ And all the earth was of one lip and one speech. If you will forgive the common misquote: ‘Houston, we have a problem.’ Did people speak in different tongues or just one common language? Genesis 11 verse 1Īfter we have learned about the different languages in Genesis 10 (which is supported by archaeological evidence), the first verse of Genesis 11 appears to state: “ Now the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.” Oh dear. These ancient artefacts indicate that the inhabitants of Babel (or Babylon), as in Genesis 11, actually used at least two languages, Akkadian and Sumerian, whilst people in other regions evidently spoke in other languages. The fact that the different nations spoke in different languages is reinforced by archaeological evidence, which includes a large number of cuneiform tablets. This word ‘lashon’ literally means ‘tongue’, and it is the standard word for ‘language’ throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Where the text indicates that the different tribes spoke in different languages, the Hebrew word for ‘language’ is the word ‘lashon’. In Genesis 10, we can read that the descendants of Noah were separated into their own lands, and separated according to their own languages, families and nations. The descendants of Noah spoke in different languages ![]() My ‘alternative view’ of the story of the Tower of Babel draws significantly from the seminal book ‘ The Comets of God’ by Dr Jeffrey Goodman, whose remarkable insights I acknowledge with thanks. In fact, I'd love to see your thoughts on the Disqus comments below. ![]() I have no desire “ to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14). If you disagree with me, I have no problem with that – as long as we can disagree in a spirit of Christian love. I hope that what I have written will make you think. Before I begin, a word of warning: this could be seen as a controversial article. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |