Genesis 11:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559}, Go to {H3051}, let us build {H1129} us a city {H5892} and a tower {H4026}, whose top {H7218} may reach unto heaven {H8064}; and let us make {H6213} us a name {H8034}, lest we be scattered abroad {H6327} upon the face {H6440} of the whole earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city with a tower that has its top reaching up into heaven, so that we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered all over the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

American Standard Version

And they said, Come, 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 11:4 records humanity's collective ambition and defiance following the great flood, detailing their decision to build a city and a tower in the plain of Shinar. This act was a direct challenge to God's command to "replenish the earth" by seeking to consolidate their power and "make us a name" for themselves, thereby preventing their dispersion across the globe and asserting human autonomy over divine will.

### CONTEXT
After the global flood, humanity, descended from Noah's family, remained unified by a single language and resided together. God's clear mandate to Noah and his sons was to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" ([Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah to fill the earth")). However, the people in the plain of Shinar ([Genesis 11:2](/genesis/11-2 "The plain of Shinar")) chose to centralize, initiating the construction of a city and a tower. This decision directly contradicted the divine instruction for dispersion, reflecting a desire to establish a permanent dwelling and a symbol of their collective power and unity, rather than trusting in God's plan for their scattering and populating the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 11:4 captures the pivotal moment of human rebellion against God's post-flood mandate. The verse begins with a collective resolve, indicating a unified purpose among the people. Their ambition was two-fold: to construct a grand city and a tower, and through this endeavor, to secure their own fame and prevent their divinely ordained dispersion.

* **"And they said, Go to"**: This archaic English phrase translates to "Come now" or "Let us begin," signaling a deliberate and concerted call to action. It highlights the unified, intentional nature of their plan, emphasizing human initiative apart from God.
* **"let us build us a city and a tower"**: The city represented a desire for centralized human governance and security, a rejection of God's command to scatter and fill the earth. The tower, later known as the Tower of Babel, was likely a ziggurat, a stepped temple tower common in ancient Mesopotamia. These structures were believed to connect the human and divine realms, often associated with astral worship and human attempts to ascend to the gods or attain divine knowledge.
* **"whose top [may reach] unto heaven"**: This phrase 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 signifies an attempt to transcend human limitations and assert autonomy, perhaps even to challenge God's sovereignty or to create a point of access to the divine on their own terms, bypassing God's established order.
* **"and let us make us a name"**: This is the core motivation, revealing a profound desire for self-glory and lasting renown (Hebrew: *na‘aseh-lānu shēm*). It prioritizes human achievement and reputation over obedience to God, signifying a spiritual rebellion. This contrasts sharply with the biblical concept of seeking God's glory or having one's name written in heaven ([Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Names written in heaven")).
* **"lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth"**: This explicitly states their defiance of God's earlier command to "fill the earth" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The creation mandate to fill the earth")). By choosing to consolidate and build, they directly opposed God's plan, seeking to control their destiny and maintain unity on their own terms, rather than trusting in God's sovereign will. The city and tower were intended as a stronghold against dispersion, a futile attempt to create security and significance apart from God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Human Pride and Rebellion**: The primary motivation, "let us make us a name," reveals a deep-seated human desire for self-glory and lasting renown, prioritizing human achievement over obedience to God. This signifies a profound spiritual rebellion, seeking to establish a lasting legacy and security apart from divine will.
* **Defiance of Divine 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 and Unity**: The tower and city were intended to be a stronghold against dispersion, 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, as true security and unity come only through Him.
* **The Futility of Human Schemes Against God**: Ultimately, God intervened to confuse their language ([Genesis 11:7](/genesis/11-7 "The confusion of languages")) and scatter them across the earth ([Genesis 11:8](/genesis/11-8 "God scatters the people")), demonstrating that human efforts to thwart divine will are always in vain. This story underscores the power of God over human arrogance and rebellion.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 11:4 serves as a timeless warning against human ambition that excludes or defies God. It teaches us that when individuals or communities prioritize "making a name" for themselves rather than living for God's glory, it inevitably leads to pride and ultimate downfall, echoing the truth that "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 on pride")). The narrative challenges us to trust God's sovereign plan, even when it seems to contradict our immediate desires for control or comfort, reminding us that true security and purpose are found in obedience to His will, not in our own self-devised schemes.

### FAQ
**What was the primary sin of the people at Babel?**

Answer: The primary sin was a combination of pride, self-glorification, and direct defiance of God's command. They sought to "make a name" for themselves and consolidate their power, rejecting God's mandate to "replenish the earth" by scattering across it. Their ambition was rooted in human autonomy and a desire to achieve security and renown apart from God.

**Did the Tower of Babel literally reach heaven?**

Answer: The phrase "whose top [may reach] unto heaven" is best understood as a symbolic expression of immense height and, more importantly, an aspiration for divine status or independence from God. It signifies an attempt to assert human power and control over the divine realm, rather than a literal physical structure that could touch the sky. It reflects the ancient Mesopotamian concept of ziggurats as gateways to the heavens, but from a human-centric, rather than God-honoring, perspective.

**How does this story relate to God's command to "fill the earth"?**

Answer: The story of Babel is a direct response to, and rebellion against, God's repeated command to humanity to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The creation mandate to fill the earth") and [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's command to Noah to fill the earth")). Instead of dispersing and populating the globe as instructed, the people at Babel chose to centralize, building a city and tower to prevent being "scattered." Their actions explicitly defied God's sovereign plan for humanity's expansion and stewardship of the earth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Tower of Babel represents humanity's futile attempt to reach God on its own terms, to establish a name for itself through collective pride and rebellion, resulting in division and confusion. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "ladder to heaven," the true bridge between God and humanity, not built by human hands but divinely ordained. While Babel led to the scattering of peoples and the confusion of languages, Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit, reversed this curse by uniting diverse peoples through a common understanding of God's mighty works in Christ ([Acts 2:1-11](/acts/2-11 "The day of Pentecost")). Through Christ, God makes a name for Himself, not through human ambition, but through His redemptive work, offering true unity and a secure dwelling place in Him, fulfilling what humanity at Babel sought in vain.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.