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Genesis 11:9 – NASB vs. HCSB vs. ESV
Genesis 11:9 NASB Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.
Genesis 11:9 HCSB Therefore its name is called Babylon, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Genesis 11:9 ESV Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
The HCSB decided to move away from the traditional translation of “Babel” and instead translated “Babylon.” In the Hebrew, this is the same word translated “Babylon” in later texts describing the nation who removed Judah into captivity. The HCSB does us a favor here by being consistent. In Genesis 11 the one nation of people became scattered or dispersed by God. And later God scatters or disperses Judah from its land. This fulfilled prophecy (Deut.4:27; 28:64; 30:3; Neh.1:8). This led to the dispersion or “Diaspora.” At Babylon they are dispersed, and by Babylon God’s people are dispersed. Both dispersions by God. Maybe we should not be surprised that the scattering of God’s people also led to a confusion of language (Neh.13:23-24), just like before.
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