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The Tower of Babel is one of the best-known structures mentioned in the Bible. But what was the tower’s purpose, and where was Babel? How much do we really know about this story? In many ways, the Tower of Babel is a kind of ‘just so’ story about how the world came to have many languages.
- Many Languages, Many Nations
- Many Nations, Many Gods
- The Divine Council in Psalm 82
- Jesus Resists The Devil’s Offer
- Babel Undone
Early in the book of Genesis, we find the humans of the world all speaking with one language. One particularly violent warrior, Nimrod, founds a kingdom, including a city named Babylon (Genesis 10:8–10). If you’re familiar with the story of the Old Testament, then you know that Babylon is the world empire who would eventually sack the Temple of Isr...
In the book of Deuteronomy, the prophet Mosesinstructs the people of Israel on how to conduct themselves in the land that their God promised their ancestor Abraham. It’s here that Moses mentions that, while Israel has their own God, the other nations have theirs. Moses tells the Israelites not to worship the sun, moon, the stars, and all the heaven...
The gods of Egypt oppressed the Israelites. But they weren’t the only gods who developed oppressive empires. Eventually, the Lord Most High says he’s had enough. The psalmist Asaph envisions a heavenly courtroom (Psalm 82), wherein Israel’s God chastises the gods of the other nations. God tells the other divine beings that they have been aiding the...
If we fast-forward to the New Testament, we see a character emerge who has all the nations of the world under his thumb: the devil. This divine being tempts Jesus in the wilderness, eventually offering all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus if Jesus pledges loyalty to him. The problem is twofold. First, these kingdoms are all (as far as the Jews ar...
After Jesus’ resurrection, the shadow of the Tower of Babel begins to dissolve. Shortly after Jesus’ return to heaven, his disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit during the festival of Pentecost. Immediately Jesus’ followers begin speaking many languages—but instead of bringing about confusion (like at the Tower), it brings about unity. Thousan...
Feb 8, 2024 · The Tower of Babel is a biblical narrative found in Genesis 11:1-9. According to the story, after the Flood, humanity spoke a common language and settled in the land of Shinar. They decided to build a great city and a tower that reached the heavens to make a name for themselves.
Jan 6, 2011 · The Tower of Babel. During the days of Noah and his sons Shem, Japheth, and Ham, the world spoke one language. God had commanded Noah and his sons to fill the whole earth with people but instead, they began to settle in Babylonia rather than scatter about the Earth as God had commanded.
Oct 22, 2024 · Tower of Babel, in biblical literature, structure built in the land of Shinar (Babylonia) some time after the Deluge. The story of its construction, given in Genesis 11:1–9, appears to be an attempt to explain the existence of diverse human languages.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dec 3, 2020 · The story of the tower of Babel unfolds in Genesis 11:1-9. The episode teaches Bible readers important lessons about unity and the sin of pride. The story also reveals why God sometimes intervenes with a divisive hand in human affairs. When God speaks in the tower of Babel story, he uses the phrase, "let us go," a possible reference to the Trinity.
May 17, 2024 · The Tower of Babel is a fascinating and enduring story from the Bible, found in Genesis 11:1-9. It tells of humanity’s attempt to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach the heavens. It also tells of the subsequent divine intervention that scattered the people and confused their language.
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