And 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.

GENESIS 11:6KJV
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Genesis 11:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 11:6 mean?

Genesis 11:6 describes God observing that all the people on earth are united as one group with a single language, and because of this unity, nothing they plan or imagine will be impossible for them to attempt. God is noting the power of their shared purpose and communication as they begin building the Tower of Babel.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking, likely to other heavenly beings, about the people who have gathered in one place after the flood. The situation is that humanity is working together to build a city and a tower, and God recognizes that their unity and common language make them capable of achieving whatever they set their minds to. This sets the stage for God’s decision to intervene and scatter them by confusing their language.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 11:6

  • The word for "people" is עָם (ʿam), which emphasizes the idea of a unified group or nation, not just individuals.
  • The word for "restrained" is בָּצַר (batsar), meaning to be withheld or prevented. Here, it highlights that nothing would be out of reach for them if they remained united.
  • The word for "imagined" is זָמַם (zamam), which means to plan or purpose. This shows that God is concerned not just with what they are doing, but with what they are capable of planning together.

Why Genesis 11:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the problem was not just the building project itself, but the unchecked potential of humanity when united in purpose apart from God’s guidance.
  • Genesis 11:6 connects directly to the wider story of the Tower of Babel, explaining why God chose to confuse their language and scatter them.
  • The verse highlights the importance and power of communication and unity, showing that shared language enables people to accomplish great things, for better or worse.

Where else these words appear

“imagined” Hebrew H2161 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
  • Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
  • Lamentations 2:17 The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

“nothing” Hebrew H3605 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

“restrained” Hebrew H1219 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 25:5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.
  • 2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

“nothing” Hebrew H3808 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • Numbers 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:
  • Psalms 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.