GarColga

Genesis 11:1, where it says " the whole earth was of one language", seems to be contradicted by Gen 10:5 which says "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue..." and Gen 10:20 which says "These are the Sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues..." and Gen 10:31 which says "These are the Sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues..."

I pointed out this seeming contradiction to an on-line Bibliolater and he claimed that the events in Genesis 10 took place <i>after</i>the confounding of languages in Genesis 11. Did I use a 'bad' contradiction, or is he blowing smoke? I'd love to put this guy in his place, but I'd also like to know if I'm really wrong. He's one of these guys that will use any imaginary loophole to 'explain' a contradiction, and I just don't trust him. Thanks for any help!

Heleilu

I've heard that excuse too. Unfortunately, I don't know anything more about it.
Maybe you should ask this bibliolater friend of yours when the Tower of Babel was built. By 2400 BC, a common date, Sumerian, Egyptian, and Akkadian were all attested. Not only is Sumerian unrelated to the others, it would have taken centuries for Akkadian and Egyptian to separate.