Genesis 11 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 11

WHEN:

• The lifespan of humans decreased rapidly after the flood.

• Most historians date the flood to approximately 2350 B.C.

• Using the genealogy of Shem as recorded in verses 10-26, we can set the date of Abram’s birth at approximately 1996 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Shem’s Descendants – Shem’s family tree is recorded in Genesis 11:10-26.

• Terah – Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

• Abram (Abraham) – Abraham is known as the father of the Jewish nation. He is a key figure in God’s plan to save mankind from sin.

• Lot – The son of Haran and nephew of Abram.

WHERE:

• The city and tower of Babel were built in the land of Shinar.

• Terah and Abram’s families moved from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran.

OUTLINE:

• THE TOWER OF BABEL (11:1-9):

  • At this point in history, the whole world spoke the same language and many of them lived in the land of Shinar.

  • The people decided to “make a name” for themselves by building a city and a tower that reached to heaven, but God had other plans for the human race.

  • After inspecting their work, God decided to separate them so they would spread out across the world rather than accumulate in one place.

  • He divided their languages so they couldn’t communicate with one another.

  • The confusion resulted in them abandoning the tower project and dispersing “over the face of all the earth.”

  • The city and tower became known as Babel, because it was there that God divided languages.

• THE GENEOLOGY OF SHEM (11:10-26):

  • Shem fathered Arpachshad at 100 years old and died at the age of 600.

  • Arpachshad fathered Shelah at 35 years old and died at the age of 483.

  • Shelah fathered Eber at 30 years old and died at the age of 433.

  • Eber fathered Peleg at 34 years old and died at the age of 464.

  • Peleg fathered Reu at 30 years old and died at the age of 239.

  • Reu fathered Serug at 32 years old and died at the age of 239.

  • Serug fathered Nahor at 30 years old and died at the age of 230.

  • Nahor fathered Terah at 29 years old and died at the age of 148.

• THE FAMILY OF TERAH (11:27-32):

  • At 70 years old, Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

  • Haran’s son was named Lot (we will read about him later).

  • Abram married Sarai and Nahor married Milcah.

  • Terah and his son Abram moved from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran and settled there.

  • Terah died at the age of 205 years old.

APPLICATION:

• One thing that is very interesting to me is that the story of the Tower of Babel teaches us that God’s will sometimes restricts innovation.

• Rather than allowing the humans to succeed in their technological and architectural endeavors, God thwarted them.

• Humans are allowed to advance technologically when God permits it, not before.

• Our modern developments have only been achieved by God’s permission.

• No doubt, He is still withholding many secrets from researchers, scientists and engineers.