- Published: September 11, 2022
- Updated: September 11, 2022
- University / College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Language: English
- Downloads: 5
Tower of Babel story is contained in the chapter 10 and 11 of the book of genesis describing an enormous tower intended to show success of city of Babylon (The Holy Bible (1855). The name Babel is borrowed from two word baa and el meaning gate and god respectively. Tower of Babel story features division of races with different language, uniqueness of God and man attempt to use intellectualism to compete with God (Canetti & Wedgwood 1947). Initially city of Babylon was inhibited by united humanity all speaking one language. It is in the rein of Great King Nimrod. Humanity decided that this great city should have a Multi-storey tower so gigantic that its top would be in heaven (Robert n.
d). According to book of Genesis this tower was built not for God’s glory of God as it was not meant for worshiping but to glorify man. “ Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (The Holy Bible (1855) Genesis 11: 4). This is mind of humanity made God to give people different languages to confuse them on the mission to build Tower of Babel. This was followed by God scattering humanity throughout the world giving rise to the different races and different languages in world. God confusing humanity with different language to curtail their mission was the only merciful response to Babel Tower mission. This is because God had promised himself not to destroy earth due to disobedience of humanity (William 1968).
In conclusion, Babel Tower story give a story of God separating humanity to different nations and language. This was aimed at frustrating people efforts to compete with him and humanity self-destruction. Reference: Canetti, Elias & Wedgwood, Cicely Veronica (1947): The Tower of Babel; A.
A. KnopfThe Holy Bible (1855): Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues; and with the Former Translations; American Bible Society, 1855Robert T. Pennock (n. d): Tower of Babel: The Evidence Against the New Creationism. ISBN 0262500051, 9780262500050; MIT PressWilliam, Wiesner (1968): The Tower of Babel. ISBN 067072243X, 9780670722433; Penguin Group
