Genesis 11:1
“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.”
KJV
Read in Genesis 11Meaning
The narrative opens with the whole earth sharing one language and common words, establishing the unity from which the Babel project develops.
Read carefully
The text does not name the original language, so identifying it with a specific later language goes beyond what this verse states.
Reflection
Shared language can support cooperation, but Genesis 11 asks what human communities choose to do with their collective capacity.