11:1 Although there were different dialects, the population of the world shared one language. This is a common result of an enclosed area. Populations of the world would continue to spread throughout regions, and the distance and diversity in geography would eventually result in different languages.
11:2-4 This story is a metaphor. The close proximity and cultural uniformity humanity shared resulted in intellectually infantile motivations.
What is interesting is that our ancestors, although separated from us by a vast amount of time, possessed the same human flaws and qualities that we do today. The collective effort was not in exploring the nature of life or establishing justice; it was not an effort toward creativity and wisdom. Rather, humans were working to elevate themselves as superior on a glorified fort (likely figuratively).
Fundamentally, this problem mirrors our contemporary failures as a species. Our actions echo the actions of those who came before us: when we aren't doing something meaningful and substantial, we're... well... not doing anything meaningful or substantial. We waste the time, space and opportunity that comprises our life.
11:5 We frequently make the mistake of thinking that we are the only intelligent life. Yet creation realized even before we fully developed our consciousness that humans needed barriers and limits, the conditions which contribute to moral and character growth... but as creation is giving in nature, our barriers and limits came in the form of freedom of expansion and exploration of the Earth.
As is still the case for the individual, when an atmosphere becomes too homogeneous, the brain is not inspired or provoked to learn and develop, explore and analyze. When our brains are unchallenged, they tend to work toward insignificant and vapid tasks (i.e let's build a huge building and live in the sky like a god! OR, "I bet I can fit 27 jelly beans up my nose!). Okay, yes, those are facetious examples but not untrue.
11:6-7 The tweak which disabled humanity from self-destructing extremely early on in the execution of lame and self-centered ideas was diversity: new land to trek and farm, new languages to develop and learn, new climates... all of the diversity encouraged the development of new and multitudes of ideologies. It was perhaps the first spark of, if not enlightenment, then at least existentialism. Humanity was given the conditions to begin the contemplation of more substantial self and collective purpose.
11:8 It is like a fort that a group of youths began to built but ultimately abandoned as they matured and began to explore beyond their own and even their neighbors back yard. Although zealous for the project as children, they come to realize that their purpose in life is actually not the construction of this fort.
11:9 And like the fort-building children, humanity spread and moved onto bigger and more complex projects. This is a prime example of how creation is, rather than anthropomorphic, more of a pantheistic manifestation. An intelligent universe. The land and opportunity for humanity to grow was not magic'ked into existence but rather human consciousness deepened and developed... and caused humanity to collectively mature beyond their fort building days.
11:10-26 The descendants of Shem are listed... resulting in a prominent person in the Bible, a most faithful soul. We are about to meet Abram.
11:27 Terah is the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. The grandfather of Lot, Haran's child.
11:28 Haran died before Terah.
11:29 Abram married Sarai. Nahor married Milcah.
11:30 Abram's wife Sarai was unable to conceive children.
11:31-32 Terah brought Abram, Sarai and Lot to Canaan to live, and Terah died.
