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Genesis 11 – The Meaning of the Tower of Babel
What was the purpose in building the tower of Babel (Genesis 11)? The text says “to make a name for themselves lest they be scattered.” But what was their intent in making a name for themselves?
According to one ANE (Ancient Near East) scholar, the tower, or ziggerrat, wasn’t so they could reach heaven to go up; but so God could come down through them making sacred space.
Looking backwards, this was them restoring what had been lost by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (and thus serves as a bookend to Genesis 1-3).
Looking forwards, in chapter 12 we have God revealing His method of presence-dwelling. It begins with Abraham, becomes a nation wherein God dwells in a tabernacle and temple, and ends with Jesus dwelling among men.
So if their purpose was to bring God into their presence, what’s wrong with that? Their name building would not be glorifying God, but glorifying themselves by being using God for their benefit.
Have you ever seen someone use religion for vain-glory purposes? Are we trying to impress God with our methods that He didn’t approve? Make God’s name known, not ours.
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