Genesis 11 · Babel · Featured Study
The Tower of Babel
On the plain of Shinar, humanity unites to build a city and a tower “to make us a name” — the same self-exalting renown the Nephilim sought (6:4). God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth. The scattering of tongues at Babel is answered and reversed at Pentecost (Acts 2).
Babel Reversed at Pentecost
— the great inclusio of the tonguesBabel — Genesis 11
Pentecost — Acts 2
One tongue, turned to rebellion
Many tongues, turned to praise
“Let us make us a name” (11:4)
The wonderful works of God proclaimed (Acts 2:11)
A tower reaching up to heaven
The Spirit poured down from heaven
Confusion and scattering
Understanding and gathering — every nation hears
The Table of Nations
— Genesis 10 — the seventy nationsGenesis 10 charts the descent of all peoples from the three sons of Noah — Shem, Ham, and Japheth — seventy nations spreading over the earth. Babel (ch. 11) explains how they were scattered. The whole scattering sets the stage for one man — Abraham — through whom “all the families of the earth” will be blessed (12:3).