Genesis 11:4

Commentary on Genesis 11:4 KJV

Genesis 11:4 records a pivotal moment in early biblical history, detailing humanity's collective ambition and defiance following the great flood. This verse describes the decision of a unified people to construct a grand city and a tower, later known as the Tower of Babel, in the Plain of Shinar.

Historical and Cultural Context

After the flood, humanity, descended from Noah's family, spoke one language and resided together. God's command to Noah and his sons was to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 9:1), implying dispersion across the globe. However, the people in Shinar decided to centralize, building a city to establish a permanent dwelling and a tower as a symbol of their unity and power. This act was a direct contradiction to the divine mandate to spread out and populate the whole earth. The desire for a tower "whose top [may reach] unto heaven" reflects the ancient Mesopotamian practice of building ziggurats – massive, stepped temple towers – which were believed to serve as links between the human and divine realms, often associated with astral worship and human attempts to ascend to the gods.

Key Themes and Messages

• Human Pride and Rebellion: The primary motivation articulated is "let us make us a name." This reveals a desire for self-glory and lasting renown, prioritizing human achievement over obedience to God. It signifies a profound spiritual rebellion, seeking to establish a lasting legacy and security apart from divine will.
• Defiance of God's Command: By choosing to consolidate and build a city and tower to prevent being "scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth," they directly opposed God's earlier instruction to fill the earth. This act represents a collective effort to control their destiny and maintain unity on their own terms, rather than trusting in God's plan.
• False Security: The tower and city were intended to be a stronghold against being scattered, an attempt to create security and unity through human ingenuity and strength. This illustrates the futility of seeking ultimate safety and significance apart from God.

Linguistic Insights

• The phrase "Go to" is an archaic English expression, equivalent to "Come now" or "Let us begin," indicating a call to action or an exhortation.
• "Whose top [may reach] unto heaven" does not necessarily imply a literal physical height that could touch the sky, but rather a symbolic aspiration for divine status, power, or independence from God. It suggests an attempt to transcend human limitations and assert autonomy, perhaps even to challenge God's sovereignty.
• "Let us make us a name" (Hebrew: na‘aseh-lānu shēm) emphasizes the pursuit of fame, reputation, and self-aggrandizement. It contrasts sharply with the biblical concept of seeking God's glory or having one's name written in heaven.

Practical Application

Genesis 11:4 serves as a timeless warning against human ambition that excludes or defies God. It teaches us several crucial lessons:

• The Dangers of Self-Glorification: When individuals or communities focus on "making a name" for themselves rather than living for God's glory, it often leads to pride and ultimately, downfall. As Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
• Trusting God's Plan Over Human Schemes: The people at Babel sought security and unity through their own efforts, rejecting God's command to scatter. This highlights the importance of trusting God's sovereign plan, even when it seems to contradict our immediate desires for control or comfort.
• The Futility of Rebellion: Ultimately, God intervened to confuse their language and scattered them across the earth, demonstrating that human efforts to thwart divine will are always in vain. This story underscores the power of God over human arrogance.