By KD Manes at KDManestreet
Again, another Friday installment of this great study on the Book of Genesis
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” – Genesis 11:1-4
This incident happens before the worldwide scatter of nations described in Genesis 10. You may read Genesis 11:1-9 here: Gateway Bible.
Why Build a Tower?
The people in this story wanted to pay tribute to their own greatness. The NIV Life Application Study Bible notes: “The tower of Babel was most likely a ziggurat, a common structure in Babylonia at this time. Most often built as temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with steps or ramps leading up the sides. Ziggurats stood as high as 300 feet and were often just as wide; thus they were the focal point of the city.”
Although this tower was a success from man’s perspective—a wonder to the world—the act came from self-preservation and pride instead of paying tribute to God.
Why Scatter the people?
God judges the people for their rebellion: placing trust in their own efforts instead of His provision. The word Babel means “confusion” in Hebrew and “the gate of gods” in Babylonian. Instead of settling in one place, God scatters the people over the whole earth by confusing their language.
The language of verse 6 may sound like God is worried, however, He is not threatened by man’s words or actions. Instead, He acts to protect man from himself.
Other Interesting Facts
- “But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower.” Verses 5-6 are described as anthropomorphic: a description of God’s response in human terms. God really doesn’t need to leave heaven to know what is happening on earth.
- Verse 7, “let us”, refers to the Godhead (Trinity) by using the same plural form of God as in the creation account (Gen. 1:26).
- The area later known as Babylon carries a reputation of evil and has a long history of being Israel’s enemy.
- Josephus and Genesis Chapter 10 by Bodie Hodge gives an insightful summary and excerpt from the great historian, Josephus, in his work: Antiquity of the Jews. Josephus’ research provides evidence of biblical accuracy in the Bible’s table of nations. You may read this article here: Answers in Genesis.
Truth in Palmyra 
August 14, 2015 at 18:14
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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August 14, 2015 at 19:01
Thanks Brother!
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August 14, 2015 at 19:06
You’re welcome Brother Wally! 🙂
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August 15, 2015 at 08:06
Thanks Wally, for introducing me to KD’s posts !! What a beautiful heart !!
Blessings in Christ, bruce
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August 15, 2015 at 08:19
I agree Bruce, she does. And apparently studies very hard. I sure love that about blogging, so many chances to learn from each other. Blessings to you brother.
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August 15, 2015 at 11:22
This is one of my favorite stories has such deep spiritual implications, it would be intriguing to read the revelations others have.
The Book of Jasher gives even more detail regarding this story, and one is that it took a whole year for workers to bring brick and mortar to the top of the tower. If a worker fell and died, no one cared, but if a brick should fall, they all cried.
Today, we have very tall skyscrapers, and the ability to send people into space, yet God has not tampered with our communicating abilities. Why not?
“Advancement and development is not a sin… Certainly, if God has not at this stage seen our very high technology or skyscrapers as a threat to His plans, maybe our high tech. is not that “high” after all. ”
Why was it their technology had to be stopped; why was it so dangerous their very means of communication had to be confused, creating a stratification, weakening their abilities as a whole.
Truly, God is to be feared – not in the I am afraid of God way, but deep reverential, respectful, awe-inspired fear of His magnificent wisdom, and glorious works.
Not to take too much space, so if you can read this story from the Book of Jasher and pay special attention to this “garments of skin” and to whom it was passed down.
Stay Blessed.
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August 15, 2015 at 11:27
Well, the root issue was pride and disobedience. God had clearly stated he wanted the people to move on and out and populate the entire earth and not congregate in one place. Also, pride in thinking they could build a tower to God. So, he confounded their speech to thwart their prideful disobedience.
Not familiar with the Book of Jasher.
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August 15, 2015 at 19:04
Wally, I need to do a better job of posing my rhetorical questions.
Book of Jasher is legit – it’s referenced twice in Scripture.
Josh 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
2Sam 1:18 Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.
I hope at some point you choose to check it out, it essentially “covers much of the same ground as the traditional Mosaic books of the Bible, from the creation of the world to the death of Moses, albeit with several minor variations”.
pdf here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/jasher/
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August 15, 2015 at 19:10
Ah cool and no biggie just didn’t know of it.
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August 15, 2015 at 19:11
And don’t mind me lol I often miss the point of things
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