Babel

Site of the Tower of Babel where God confused human languages, scattering humanity across the earth. Babel is identified with ancient Babylon in Mesopotamia.

Genesis 11 describes how humanity, speaking one language, attempted to build a city with a tower reaching to heaven in the plain of Shinar (Mesopotamia). Their stated purpose was to “make a name for ourselves” and prevent being scattered—a direct resistance to God’s command to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1). God responded by confusing their speech into many languages, making unified construction impossible and forcing dispersion.

The name “Babel” comes from the Hebrew word meaning “confusion,” though it likely derives from the Akkadian “Bab-ilu” (Gate of God), Babylon’s own name for itself. This wordplay highlights the irony: what humans intended as a gateway to divine glory became a monument to confusion and divine judgment.

The Tower of Babel narrative explains the origin of linguistic diversity and serves as a counterpoint to Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit enabled people of many languages to understand the gospel—reversing Babel’s curse and prefiguring the unity of all nations in Christ.