Genesis 11:1

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Gn 11:1 Erat autem terra labii unius, et sermonum eorumdem.

Now the whole earth was of one language and of the same words.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Erat was 3SG.IMPF.ACT.IND
2 autem now / moreover CONJ
3 terra earth NOM.SG.F
4 labii of a lip / of a language GEN.SG.N
5 unius one GEN.SG.M/F/N.NUM
6 et and CONJ
7 sermonum of words / of speeches GEN.PL.M
8 eorumdem of the same GEN.PL.M.DEM.PRON

Syntax

Main Clause: Erat autem terra labii unius et sermonum eorumdem — “Now the earth was of one language and of the same words.”
The verb erat serves as the copula linking terra (subject) with two genitival phrases functioning as predicates. The conjunction autem introduces a new narrative phase, connecting this verse as a historical transition from the genealogical dispersion to the account of linguistic unity before Babel.
The genitive phrase labii unius (literally “of one lip”) is a Semitic idiom meaning “one language.” Sermonum eorumdem adds emphasis — not only was there one tongue, but the same vocabulary and mode of expression were shared throughout the earth.

Morphology

  1. Erat — Lemma: sum; Part of Speech: Verb; Form: Imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular; Function: Main verb; Translation: “was”; Notes: Describes a continuous or habitual state before divine intervention at Babel.
  2. autem — Lemma: autem; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Transitional connector; Translation: “now / moreover”; Notes: Introduces a shift in focus from genealogical to narrative content.
  3. terra — Lemma: terra; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Nominative singular feminine; Function: Subject of erat; Translation: “earth”; Notes: Refers to the human world collectively, emphasizing universal linguistic unity.
  4. labii — Lemma: labium; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Genitive singular neuter; Function: Genitive of quality; Translation: “of a lip / of a language”; Notes: Idiomatic Semitic expression meaning “language” or “speech.”
  5. unius — Lemma: unus; Part of Speech: Numeral; Form: Genitive singular masculine/feminine/neuter; Function: Modifier of labii; Translation: “one”; Notes: Denotes singularity and unity of speech across humanity.
  6. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: Conjunction; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Connects parallel genitival phrases; Translation: “and”; Notes: Unites the two synonymous expressions of linguistic uniformity.
  7. sermonum — Lemma: sermo; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Genitive plural masculine; Function: Genitive of possession or description; Translation: “of words / of speeches”; Notes: Refers to shared linguistic forms or discourse.
  8. eorumdem — Lemma: idem, eadem, idem; Part of Speech: Demonstrative pronoun; Form: Genitive plural masculine; Function: Modifier of sermonum; Translation: “of the same”; Notes: Reinforces complete homogeneity of expression — no dialectal or cultural divisions yet existed.

 

About Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Born around 346 A.D. in Stridon, St. Jerome was a scholar fluent in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew whose ascetic discipline and deep engagement with Scripture prepared him for a monumental task: translating the Bible into Latin. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I around 382 A.D., Jerome began by revising the flawed Old Latin Gospels, then expanded his work to the entire Bible. For the New Testament, he corrected Latin texts using Greek manuscripts; for the Old Testament, he translated most books directly from Hebrew—a controversial but principled choice. His final Psalter, however, followed the Greek Septuagint tradition for liturgical use. This composite translation, later known as the Vulgate (editio vulgata), became the authoritative biblical text of the Western Church, formally endorsed at the Council of Trent in 1546. The Vulgate’s influence extends beyond theology into textual criticism and Latin education. As one of the earliest translations grounded in original-language scholarship, it offers a vital witness to the state of biblical texts in late antiquity. Jerome’s lexical and syntactic decisions are studied to trace manuscript history and assess variant readings. Its elegant Latin, consistent in grammar and rich in vocabulary, became a model for medieval and Renaissance learning, bridging classical and ecclesiastical Latin. More than a translation, the Vulgate helped define Christian doctrine, preserved the Latin language, and laid essential groundwork for the critical study of Scripture—remaining indispensable to students of Latin, theology, and textual history.
This entry was posted in Genesis. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.