Contradiction with Genesis 10:5
Describes multiple languages existing after the flood, contradicting the claim of a single language in Genesis 11:1.
Genesis 10:5: By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Contradiction with Genesis 10:20
Again indicates the presence of multiple languages among the descendants of Ham, contradicting the claim in Genesis 11:1.
Genesis 10:20: These [are] the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, [and] in their nations.
Contradiction with Genesis 10:31
States that the descendants of Shem had their own languages, contradicting the premise of a single language in Genesis 11:1.
Genesis 10:31: These [are] the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Paradox #1
Genesis 11:1 talks about the whole world having one language. A contradiction could be that archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests multiple languages existed around the time the Tower of Babel story is set. This inconsistency raises questions about the timeline and development of language in human history.
Paradox #2
The verse implies that the whole world had one language. However, historical and linguistic evidence suggests that many different languages existed and evolved independently in different regions of the world. This could be seen as a contradiction with what is known about the development of diverse languages over time.