40 Bible Verses about Language
Most Relevant Verses
Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}."
Now the whole earth [had] one language and the same words.
Because then I will {make the speech of the nations pure}; that all of them might call on the name of Yahweh, to serve him {in unison}.
Therefore its name was called Babel, for there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth, and there Yahweh scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
And Yahweh said, "Behold, {they are one people with one language}, and {this is only the beginning of what they will do}. So now nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ringing brass gong or a clashing cymbal.
And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
But now you also lay aside all [these] things: anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language from your mouth.
and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which [are] not proper), but rather thanksgiving.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret.
For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
Let your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, so that [you] may know how it is necessary for you to answer each one.
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.
{No rotten word must proceed} from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear,
[things] which we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in [words] taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual [things] to spiritual [people].
After these [things] I looked, and behold, a great crowd that no one was able to number, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed [in] white robes and [with] palm branches in their hands.
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
And [when] this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language.
and my speech and my preaching [were] not with the persuasiveness of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power,
{Why} do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message.
"I have said these [things] to you in figurative sayings. An hour is coming when I will speak to you in figurative sayings no longer, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
Yahweh will raise [up] against you a nation from far [off], from the end of the earth, [attacking] as the eagle swoops [down], {a nation whose language you will not understand},
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues,
but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
They are from the world; {therefore} they speak from the world and the world listens to them.
From Thematic Bible
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret.
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God.
Language » Interpretation of » The jews punished by being given up to people of a strange
Look, I [am] about to bring on you a nation from afar, house of Israel," {declares} Yahweh. "It [is] an enduring nation, it [is] {an ancient nation}. A nation whose language you do not know, and you cannot understand what they speak.
Yahweh will raise [up] against you a nation from far [off], from the end of the earth, [attacking] as the eagle swoops [down], {a nation whose language you will not understand},
Language » Gift of
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues,
And [when] Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
And they were astounded and astonished, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how do we hear, each one [of us], in {our own native language}?
for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said,
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. read more.
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
Language » Confusion of » Divided men into separate nations
From these the coastland peoples spread out through their lands, each according to his own language by their own families, in their nations.
These [are] the descendants of Ham, according to their families and their languages, in their lands, and in their nations.
These [are] the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, and according to their nations.
Language » Ancient kingdoms often comprehended nations of different
Then Darius the king wrote to all the people, the nations, and the languages living in the whole earth, "May your prosperity become great!
And he sent letters to all the provinces of the king, to each province according to its own script, and to every people in their own {language}, that every man should be the master of his house and who speaks in the {language} of his people.
Then the herald proclaimed {aloud}, "To you {it is commanded}, O peoples, {nations and people of all languages},
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Egyptian
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town,
He made it a statute in Joseph when he went out against the land of Egypt, [where] I heard a language I did not know.
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a strange language,
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Syrian
And the {astrologers} said to the king [in] Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants and we will reveal the explanation."
Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah and Shebna and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we [are] understanding, but you must not speak Judean with us in the ears of the people who [are] on the wall."
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.
Language » Of all mankind one at first
And Yahweh said, "Behold, {they are one people with one language}, and {this is only the beginning of what they will do}. So now nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them.
Now the whole earth [had] one language and the same words.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Hebrew
And [when] we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Aramaic language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? [It is] hard for you to kick against the goads!'
Then the chief commander stood and called with a great voice in Judean, and he spoke and said, "Hear the word of the king, the great king of Assyria!
Language » Called » Tongue
And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.")
And they were singing a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and bought [people] for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Syriac
Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah and Shebna and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we [are] understanding, but you must not speak Judean with us in the ears of the people who [are] on the wall."
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.
Language » Called » Speech
But he denied [it] again. And after a little [while], again the bystanders began to say to Peter, "You really are [one] of them, because you also are a Galilean, and your accent {shows it}!"
And [when] the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have become like men [and] have come down to us!"
Language » Confusion of
Now the whole earth [had] one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said {to each other}, "Come, let us make bricks and {burn them thoroughly}." And they had brick for stone and they had tar for mortar. read more.
And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top [reaches to] the heavens. And let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over the face of the whole earth." Then Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower that {humankind} was building. And Yahweh said, "Behold, {they are one people with one language}, and {this is only the beginning of what they will do}. So now nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}." So Yahweh scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, for there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth, and there Yahweh scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
From these the coastland peoples spread out through their lands, each according to his own language by their own families, in their nations.
These [are] the descendants of Ham, according to their families and their languages, in their lands, and in their nations.
These [are] the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, and according to their nations.
Language » Power of speaking different » Conferred by laying on of the apostles' hands
And [when] Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
Language » Many spoken at jerusalem
So many of the Jews read this notice, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, [and] in Greek.
And how do we hear, each one [of us], in {our own native language}? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing [in] Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town, read more.
both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our [own] languages the great deeds of God!"
Language » Power of speaking different » A sign to unbelievers
So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.
Language » Power of speaking different » A gift of the holy ghost
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Latin
So many of the Jews read this notice, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, [and] in Greek.
Language » Interpretation of » A gift of the holy ghost
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
Language » The term barbarian applied to those who spoke a strange
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment].
Language » Great variety of, spoken by men
There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Greek
And [as he] was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Egyptian
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town,
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a strange language,
Language » Dialects of the jews
And after a little [while] those who were standing there came up [and] said to Peter, "You really are [one] of them also, because even your accent {reveals who you are}."
they said to him, "Please say Shibboleth," and [if] he said, "Sibboleth"--because he could not {pronounce it} correctly--they grabbed him and executed him at the fords of Jordan. At that time forty-two thousand from Ephraim fell.
Language » Confusion of » A punishment for presumption, &c
And as people migrated from the east they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said {to each other}, "Come, let us make bricks and {burn them thoroughly}." And they had brick for stone and they had tar for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top [reaches to] the heavens. And let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over the face of the whole earth." read more.
Then Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower that {humankind} was building. And Yahweh said, "Behold, {they are one people with one language}, and {this is only the beginning of what they will do}. So now nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them.
Language » Confusion of » Scattered men over the earth
So Yahweh scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, for there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth, and there Yahweh scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Language » Power of speaking different » Followed receiving the gospel
[While] Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message. And those believers from the circumcision who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said,
Language » Interpretation of » Antiquity of engaging persons for
Now they did not know that Joseph understood, for the interpreter [was] between them.
Language » Of some nations difficult
For you are sent to the house of Israel, not to a people {of obscure speech} and {of a difficult language}, [and] not to many nations {of obscure speech} and {a difficult language} {whose words} you do not understand, [for] if I had sent you to them they would have listened to you.
Language » Confusion of » Originated the varieties in
Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}."
Language » Power of speaking different » Necessary to spread of the gospel
And they were astounded and astonished, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how do we hear, each one [of us], in {our own native language}? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing [in] Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, read more.
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our [own] languages the great deeds of God!"
Language » Power of speaking different » Given on the day of pentecost
And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.
Language » Power of speaking different » Promised
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues,
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Lycaonian
And [when] the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have become like men [and] have come down to us!"
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Chaldee
youths who {have no physical defect}, and [who are] {handsome}, and [who are] prudent in all wisdom and {endowed with knowledge}, and [who] understand insight, and who [have] the {ability} in them to serve in the palace of the king. [And the king ordered him] to teach them the literature and the language of [the] Chaldeans.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Greek
And [as he] was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Latin
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Parthian and other lands
Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing [in] Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our [own] languages the great deeds of God!"
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Arabic, &c
both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our [own] languages the great deeds of God!"
Language » Unity of
And Yahweh said, "Behold, {they are one people with one language}, and {this is only the beginning of what they will do}. So now nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them.
Now the whole earth [had] one language and the same words.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Lycaonian
And [when] the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have become like men [and] have come down to us!"
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Ashdod
Half of their children spoke Ashdodite and could not speak Judean, but [only] the tongues of other nations.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Chaldee
youths who {have no physical defect}, and [who are] {handsome}, and [who are] prudent in all wisdom and {endowed with knowledge}, and [who] understand insight, and who [have] the {ability} in them to serve in the palace of the king. [And the king ordered him] to teach them the literature and the language of [the] Chaldeans.
Tongue » Language
After these [things] I looked, and behold, a great crowd that no one was able to number, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed [in] white robes and [with] palm branches in their hands.
"And I--their works and thoughts!--[am] about to come to gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory.
From these the coastland peoples spread out through their lands, each according to his own language by their own families, in their nations.
These [are] the descendants of Ham, according to their families and their languages, in their lands, and in their nations.
Topics on Language
All Languages
1 Corinthians 14:10There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning.
Aramaic Language
Ezra 4:7And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.
Bad Language
Ephesians 4:29{No rotten word must proceed} from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear,
Crude Language
Colossians 3:8But now you also lay aside all [these] things: anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language from your mouth.
Interpreting Language
Genesis 42:23Now they did not know that Joseph understood, for the interpreter [was] between them.
Languages Confused
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}."
Languages Mentioned In Scripture
2 Kings 18:28Then the chief commander stood and called with a great voice in Judean, and he spoke and said, "Hear the word of the king, the great king of Assyria!
Languages Separated
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}."
Not Understanding Language
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand {each other's language}."
Prayer Language
Romans 8:26And likewise also, the Spirit helps [us] in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes [for us] [with] unexpressed groanings.
Unknown Languages
Psalm 114:1When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a strange language,