“Behold,
they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do...”
Genesis 11:6
Genesis 10 [32.] These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth after the flood.
Genesis 11 [1.] The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. As they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”
Genesis 11 [5.] Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.
Genesis 11 [10.] This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood. Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.
Meaning:
In Genesis 11:1-9, we encounter humanity in the aftermath of the flood, seeking to establish a name for themselves by building a city and a tower that reaches to the heavens. The people say, "Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4).
At first glance, their desire to build a tower may seem like a noble endeavor, but the underlying motivation reveals their pride and rebellion against God. Instead of obeying God's command to fill the earth and multiply (Genesis 9:1), which is similar to Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation,” rather they seek to centralize their power and security in a single location. That is similar to the construction of large places of worship that do not have worldwide evangelism as their central goal. In both cases, their goal is not to glorify God through obedience to spread His message of peace with Him, but to exalt themselves and make a name for themselves by centralising around a monument.
In Genesis 11:6, it appears to acknowledge the unity and cooperation among the people, which could potentially lead to their success in building the tower. However, upon closer examination, we see that God's response is not an affirmation of their actions but a recognition of the danger posed by their unity in rebellion.
God acknowledges the unity among the people, noting that they are all united in purpose and language. This unity gives them the ability to work together effectively towards their common goal. However, it is a revelation of God's omniscience and sovereignty. God sees their hearts and understands the implications of their actions. He knows that if left unchecked, their unity in rebellion could lead to further disobedience and chaos.
God responds to their arrogance by confounding their language, causing confusion and scattering them across the earth. This act of divine intervention prevents them from completing their ambitious project and serves as a judgment against their pride and disobedience.
The significance of the Tower of Babel narrative lies in its portrayal of humanity's propensity for rebellion and self-exaltation. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The tower becomes a symbol of human ambition and arrogance, contrasted with God's sovereignty and authority over all creation.
Cross-referencing with other passages in Scripture, we find similar warnings against pride and self-reliance. In Proverbs 16:18, we read, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse underscores the destructive nature of pride and its inevitable consequences.
Furthermore, in James 4:6, we are reminded that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." This passage highlights the importance of humility before God and warns against the dangers of exalting ourselves above Him.
As we reflect on the Tower of Babel narrative, we are confronted with our own tendencies towards pride and self-reliance. It challenges us to examine our motivations and to humbly submit to God's authority in our lives. It also reminds us of the importance of unity and cooperation, as opposed to division and discord.
In our personal lives, the Tower of Babel narrative prompts us to examine our hearts and to seek humility before God. It calls us to surrender our desires for self-exaltation and to submit to His will for our lives. It also encourages us to embrace diversity and to recognize the beauty of God's creation in its many forms.
Ultimately, the Tower of Babel narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and rebellion against God. It calls us to humility and obedience, recognizing that true fulfillment and purpose are found in submission to God's will.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible