So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

GENESIS 11:8KJV
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Genesis 11:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 11:8 mean?

Genesis 11:8 says that the LORD scattered the people from Babel across the whole earth, causing them to stop building the city. This verse explains how God responded to the people’s attempt to build a city and tower by dispersing them and halting their unified project.

Genesis 11:8 is part of the story of the Tower of Babel, where people gathered in one place to build a city and a tower reaching the heavens. The LORD (God) intervenes by confusing their language, which leads to their scattering. The verse marks the turning point where their shared effort ends and humanity is spread out over the earth.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 11:8

  • "abroad" (פּוּץ, pūts): This word means to scatter or disperse. It emphasizes that the people were not just moved, but actively spread out in different directions, breaking up their unity.
  • "face" (פָּנִים, pānîm): Often translated as "surface" or "presence," here it means the whole visible area of the earth, showing the scattering was thorough and complete.
  • "off" (חָדַל, chādal): This word means to cease or stop. It highlights that the construction of the city did not just slow down but came to a full halt as a direct result of God’s action.

Why Genesis 11:8 matters

  • Genesis 11:8 clarifies that the scattering was not accidental but a direct act by the LORD, showing divine involvement in shaping human history and diversity.
  • The verse connects to the broader story by explaining why the city and tower project failed and why people ended up spread across the earth with different languages.
  • This verse helps readers understand the origin of different nations and languages as described in the Bible, linking the story of Babel to the spread of humanity after the flood.

Where else these words appear

“thence” Hebrew H8033 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:
  • 1 Kings 17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

“off” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Job 19:14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

“abroad” Hebrew H6327 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Job 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
  • Ezekiel 12:15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.