“The entire earth was of one language and of common speech” (Genesis 11:1). “The entire earth was of one language…” – Rabbi Elazar in the name of Rabbi Yosei bar Zimra began: “Do not kill them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power and take them down” (Psalms 59:12). The Rabbis interpreted the verse regarding Do’eg and Aḥitofel. David said [to God]: ‘Do not kill Do’eg and Aḥitofel, “lest my people forget” – lest the coming generations forget [what they did].
“Scatter them by Your power” – displace them. “And take them down” – take them down from their prominence.’ As for us, what will He do for us? “My Lord is our shield” (Psalms 59:12).
“The sin of their mouths, the words of their lips” (Psalms 59:13) – this one permitted sexual immorality and bloodshed, and that one permitted sexual immorality and bloodshed. This one permitted sexual immorality and bloodshed, as it is stated [that Aḥitofel said]: “Go consort with your father’s concubine” (II Samuel 16:21); “I will come upon him, and he will be weary and discouraged” (II Samuel 17:2).
That one permitted sexual immorality and bloodshed – Naḥman son of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said [that Do’eg said to Saul]: ‘Now, free his wife and declare him a condemned man, so it is as if he is already dead, his life forfeited and his wife permissible [to remarry].’ Rabbi Elazar in the name of Rabbi Yosei bar Zimra interpreted it regarding the generation of the Dispersion. Israel said: ‘Do not kill the generation of the Dispersion lest the coming generations forget [what they did]: “Scatter them by Your power and take them down” (Psalms 59:12) – displace them and take them down from above to below.’
As for us, what will He do for us? “My Lord is our shield” (Psalms 59:12). “The sin of their mouths” (Psalms 59:13) – because of the sinful words that they uttered with their mouths, [saying]: ‘Once every one thousand six hundred and fifty-six years, the firmament collapses.1The Flood occurred in year 1656 from Creation. These people believed that it was part of some natural cycle, not an act of God.
Come, rather, and let us prepare supports; one to the north, one to the south, one to the west, and the one here will support it to the east.’ “The words of their lips [sefateimo]” (Psalms 59:13) – “the entire earth was of one language [safa] and of common speech.”