Genesis 11:5 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God came to examine the city and tower that humanity had constructed in their pride.

📚 Historical Context

This verse occurs during the Tower of Babel narrative, when humanity had united with one language and decided to build a great city with a tower reaching toward heaven. The people wanted to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth, directly opposing God's command to fill the earth after the flood.

Explore Similar Verses

2 Kings 17:9

The people of Israel secretly did things that were wrong in God's eyes, and they built places of idol worship in all their towns, from the smallest watchtower settlements to the largest fortified cities.

2 Chronicles 14:7

So he said to the people of Judah, 'Let's build these cities and put walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars to secure them, while we still have control of the land. Because we have earnestly looked to the LORD our God—yes, we have truly sought Him—and He has given us peace on all sides.' So they built and succeeded.

Isaiah 23:13

Look at the land of Babylon! This nation didn't even exist until the Assyrians built it up for desert nomads. The Assyrians built its towers and raised up its palaces, but then God brought it all to destruction.

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📚 Historical Context

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