Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. As they journeyed from the east] Assyria, Mesopotamia, and the country on the borders and beyond the Euphrates, are called the east in the sacred writings. Balaam said that the king of Moab had brought him from the mountains of the east, Numbers xxiii. 7. Now it appears, from Num. xxii. 5, that Balaam dwelt at Pethor, on the river Euphrates. And it is very probable that it was from this country that the wise men came to adore Christ; for it is said they came from the east to Jerusalem, Matt. ii. 1. Abraham is said to have come from the east to Canaan, Isa. xli. 2; but it is well known that he came from Mesopotamia and Chaldea. Isaiah xlvi. 11, represents Cyrus as coming from the east against Babylon. And the same prophet represents the Syrians as dwelling eastward of Jerusalem, Isa. ix. 12: The Syrians before, µdqm mikkedem, from the east,the same word which Moses uses here. Daniel Dan. xi. 44, represents Antiochus as troubled at news received from the east; i.e. of a revolt in the eastern provinces, beyond the Euphrates.
Noah and his family, landing after the flood on one of the mountains of Armenia, would doubtless descend and cultivate the valleys: as they increased, they appear to have passed along the banks of the Euphrates, till, at the time specified here, they came to the plains of Shinar, allowed to be the most fertile country in the east. See Calmet. That BHebel was built in the land of Shinar we have the authority of the sacred text to prove; and that Babylon was built in the same country we have the testimony of Eusebius, Praep. Evang., lib. ix., c. 15; and Josephus, Antiq., lib. i., c. 5.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - How soon men forget the most tremendous judgments, and go back to their former crimes! Though the desolations of the deluge were before their eyes, though they sprang from the stock of righteous Noah, yet eve during his life-time, wickedness increases exceedingly. Nothing but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit can remove the sinful lusts of the human will, and the depravity of the human heart. God's purpose was that mankind should form many nations, and people all lands. I contempt of the Divine will, and against the counsel of Noah, the bul of mankind united to build a city and a tower to prevent their separating. Idolatry was begun, and Babel became one of its chie seats. They made one another more daring and resolute. Let us learn to provoke one another to love and to good works, as sinners stir up an encourage one another to wicked works.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 בנסעם5265 מקדם6924 וימצאו4672 בקעה1237 בארץ776 שׁנער8152 וישׁבו3427 שׁם׃8033
