“The Tower of Babel: Why God Confused Human Language”

“The Tower of Babel: Why God Confused Human Language”

From Genesis 11:1-9

The Tower of Babel

 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.  And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:1-4 KJV)

 (1-4) The Tower in the Land of Shinar

At this time, the whole world spoke the same language and used the same words. As people moved from the east, they found a flat area in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them well.” They used bricks instead of stones and asphalt for mortar. Then they said, “Let’s build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches to the heavens. Let’s make a name for ourselves so we will not be scattered all over the earth.”

Common Language in the Land of Shinar

Originally, all people shared a single language, reflecting the belief that early humans, despite having diverse ancestral roots, once communicated with one common tongue. This idea aligns with the notion that humanity spoke a unified language at some point in the distant past.

 The Land of Shinar:

Shinar is another name for the region around Babylon (Genesis 10:10). After the flood, the descendants of Noah gathered here to build a great city and a towering structure, defying God’s command to spread out over the earth (Genesis 9:1).

Let’s Make Bricks and Bake Them Well:

Instead of using stones like earlier generations, the people used bricks baked hard and asphalt as mortar. This made their tower strong and waterproof. Noah used similar materials to make his ark waterproof (Genesis 6:14), and even Moses’ mother used a similar method to make the basket that carried Moses (Exodus 2:3). Archaeologists have found that this kind of construction was common in ancient Babylon.

 Let’s Build a City:

The decision to build a city with a tower shows the people’s refusal to obey God’s command to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1). Instead of trusting God’s promise never to flood the world again, they built a tower to survive a future flood. It was a sign of their self-sufficiency. When they said, “Let’s build a city and a tower that reaches the heavens,” they wanted to take control of their destiny, making a name for themselves and defying God’s will to scatter them worldwide.

 A Tower That Reaches to the Heavens:

They wanted to build a tower so high that its top would reach the heavens. While it’s unlikely they thought the tower could physically reach heaven, it was more of a symbolic act—a way to show their desire to connect with the heavens. The tower might have been used to study the stars, as many occult and astrological practices trace back to Babel.If they wanted to reach heaven, it does not make sense that they’d start building on the flat land of Shinar, near sea level. They would have chosen a higher mountain to begin with. Still, the tower was a real structure. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus said that, in his day, the Tower of Babel was still standing, and he had even seen it himself.

(5-9) God Scatters Them Over the Whole Earth

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men built. And the Lord said, “Behold, the people are one, and they have all one language, and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:5-9, KJV)

The Lord Came Down to See the City and the Tower:

When the Bible says “the Lord came down,” it suggests a moment when God took on a personal, almost visible form, possibly even as a man. This could be another appearance of Jesus Christ before His incarnation. God coming down to see the tower emphasises that He is involved in human history, not just from a distance.

 Let Us Go Down:

The phrase “Let Us go down” is a subtle but powerful reference to the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It reminds us that God exists in perfect unity yet in three distinct persons.

Nothing Will Be Withheld From Them:

 God recognised the power of humanity’s collective will. Humans can accomplish incredible things, both good and evil, when they unite. The dangerous potential of fallen humanity is seen throughout history, especially in the horrors of the 20th century, where human achievements have often led to disastrous outcomes. This shows how humanity, when left unchecked, can create both greatness and destruction.

 So the Lord Scattered Them Abroad:

 Though scattering may seem like judgment, it is also an act of mercy. In His wisdom, God divided the people through different languages and spread them across the earth, slowing down their rebellion. This scattering, rather than being a punishment, was a way of limiting the power of humanity’s sinful nature.

 The Lord Confounded the Language

 The creation of different languages is a fascinating aspect of this story. Many linguists believe that language is not something humans invented, but rather, it is a complex, divinely given gift. Language is so intricate that it’s difficult to explain apart from a higher power. It did not simply evolve. For example, certain sounds (like the “raspberry” sound) are found in many cultures, but don’t belong to any single language. As the Bible suggests, it makes sense to believe that all languages may have originally come from one.

 From There the Lord Scattered Them Abroad Over the Face of All the Earth:

 Imagine what it must have been like for a family to leave the area of Babel. They suddenly found themselves separated from friends and family, forced to find a new place to live. They would need to hunt, gather, and survive in harsh conditions until they could grow crops and build their lives again. Over time, their small groups would form unique cultures and physical characteristics, shaped by the land they settled in.

As the population grew, so did the genetic changes, which became permanent as the groups continued to expand.

 Humanity’s Moral Decline Since the Flood:

 Despite the flood that wiped out the evil in the world, humanity didn’t improve morally. The people at Babel didn’t learn from the past. They built their city and tower in defiance of God’s command and showed no trust in His promise never to flood the earth again.

It is a reminder that while human progress may improve technology and organisation, it does not fix the human heart’s deeper moral and spiritual problems.

 God’s Plan to Make Humanity Better:

 God would begin to change things for the better in His perfect timing. But as always, He starts with a man who will follow His will. Though this man will not be ideal, he will start a new chapter in God’s plan for humanity. God’s goal is not just to improve human organisation but to transform hearts and bring people back to Himself.

“The Tower of Babel: Why God Confused Human Language”

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)