![]() ![]() Built with square bases and sloping sides, the ziggurat had a small shrine at the top where the gods could be worshiped. Ironically, the Tower of Babel was most likely similar to the Mesopotamian temple towers known as ziggurats, which were intended to bring man into touch with God. People from every nation can be one in Christ, who is building His church to the glory of God. Only when individuals submit to the lordship of Christ can there be a genuine unity blessed by God. In a very real sense, the unity lost at Babel was restored on the day of Pentecost, when Jews from many different nations heard Galileans speaking their languages (Acts 2:6–12). The strength of the people-their unity-was destroyed by their inability to communicate, and the resultant struggle was reminiscent of Adam’s toilsome efforts at working the soil after God had cursed it. “Babel” sounds like the Hebrew word for “confuse” ( ba ̄ lal), and this wordplay has forever associated the word not with “gate of God” (its Akkadian meaning) but with the confusion of languages that stopped the building of the city. Man must acknowledge God’s sovereign ability to rule over His creation. 4:30), and even in Revelation 17–18 the final form of the kingdom of Babylon will face God’s judgment. Nebuchadnezzar was filled with pride over his accomplishments as the architect of the Neo-Babylonian Empire about 600 B.C. This is perhaps best seen in the description of the arrogant king of Babylon, who wants to raise his throne “above the stars of God” (Isa. In Hebrew the word for “Babel” is normally translated “Babylon,” and throughout Scripture Babylon represents a kingdom that is dramatically opposed to God. Like the “men of renown” in 6:4, the Babel builders wanted to “make a name” for themselves (11:4) and defy God. ![]() Īt first glance it is difficult to identify the sin committed by the tower builders, but the problem was probably human pride. In both instances the phrase “Come, let us” is emphasized. ![]() Verses 3 and 4 match verses 6 and 7 with the emphasis on the words of men and God respectively. Verses 1 and 2 parallel verses 8 and 9, all four being written in narrative style. These nine verses (11:1–9) are given in an inverted, or hourglass, form that is beautifully symmetrical. Just before the account of God’s call to Abram, Genesis gives a succinct description of yet another judgment, the confusion of languages and the scattering of the peoples. ![]()
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