40 Bible Verses about Language
Most Relevant Verses
Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD there confounded the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak into the air.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
If any man speaketh in an unknown language, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
For he that speaketh in an unknown language, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him; yet in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and languages, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
He that speaketh in an unknown language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power:
These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly concerning the Father.
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth, a nation whose language thou shalt not understand:
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of languages:
They are of the world: therefore they speak from the world, and the world heareth them.
From Thematic Bible
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Wherefore, let him that speaketh in an unknown language, pray that he may interpret.
I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
If any man speaketh in an unknown language, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Language » Interpretation of » The jews punished by being given up to people of a strange
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth, a nation whose language thou shalt not understand:
Language » Gift of
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in languages, and prophesied.
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of languages:
And they were all amazed, and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how do we hear every man in our own language, wherein we were born?
For they heard them speak in languages and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
If therefore the whole church is assembled in one place, and all speak in languages, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are insane?
For he that speaketh in an unknown language, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him; yet in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. read more.
I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in languages, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Language » Confusion of » Divided men into separate nations
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Language » Ancient kingdoms often comprehended nations of different
Then king Darius wrote to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you.
For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing of it, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Egyptian
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes,
This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Syrian
Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah, to Rab-shakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian language, and interpreted in the Syrian language.
Language » Of all mankind one at first
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Hebrew
And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews language, and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
Language » Called » Tongue
And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so that that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and language, and people, and nation;
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Syriac
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah, to Rab-shakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian language, and interpreted in the Syrian language.
Language » Called » Speech
And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
Language » Confusion of
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. read more.
And they said, come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we should be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men were building. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD there confounded the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Language » Power of speaking different » Conferred by laying on of the apostles' hands
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in languages, and prophesied.
Language » Many spoken at jerusalem
Many of the Jews then read this title: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
And how do we hear every man in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, read more.
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speak in our languages the wonderful works of God.
Language » Power of speaking different » A sign to unbelievers
Wherefore languages are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them who believe.
Language » Power of speaking different » A gift of the holy ghost
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of languages:
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Latin
Many of the Jews then read this title: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Language » Interpretation of » A gift of the holy ghost
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of languages:
Language » The term barbarian applied to those who spoke a strange
Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me.
Language » Great variety of, spoken by men
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Greek
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Egyptian
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes,
Language » Dialects of the jews
And after a while came to him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.
Then said they to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan. And there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
Language » Confusion of » A punishment for presumption, &c
And it came to pass as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we should be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. read more.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men were building. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Language » Confusion of » Scattered men over the earth
So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD there confounded the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Language » Power of speaking different » Followed receiving the gospel
While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak in languages and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Language » Interpretation of » Antiquity of engaging persons for
And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.
Language » Of some nations difficult
For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of a hard language, but to the house of Israel; Not to many people of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened to thee.
Language » Confusion of » Originated the varieties in
Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Language » Power of speaking different » Necessary to spread of the gospel
And they were all amazed, and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how do we hear every man in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, read more.
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speak in our languages the wonderful works of God.
Language » Power of speaking different » Given on the day of pentecost
And there appeared to them, cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Language » Power of speaking different » Promised
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Lycaonian
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Chaldee
Children in whom was no blemish, but of good appearance, and skillful in all wisdom, and intelligent in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Greek
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Latin
And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Parthian and other lands
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speak in our languages the wonderful works of God.
Language » Kinds of, mentioned » Arabic, &c
Language » Unity of
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Lycaonian
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Ashdod
And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews language, but according to the language of each people.
Language » Mentioned in scripture » Chaldee
Children in whom was no blemish, but of good appearance, and skillful in all wisdom, and intelligent in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
Tongue » Language
After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and languages, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
Topics on Language
All Languages
1 Corinthians 14:10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Aramaic Language
Ezra 4:7And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian language, and interpreted in the Syrian language.
Bad Language
Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Crude Language
Colossians 3:8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Interpreting Language
Genesis 42:23And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.
Languages Confused
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Languages Mentioned In Scripture
2 Kings 18:28Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews language, and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
Languages Separated
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Not Understanding Language
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Prayer Language
Romans 8:26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Unknown Languages
Psalm 114:1When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of a foreign language;