Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building. Then the LORD came downThis phrase emphasizes God's active involvement in human affairs. It suggests a divine intervention, highlighting that God is not distant but intimately aware of human actions. The anthropomorphic language ("came down") is used to convey God's inspection and judgment. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where God "comes down" to assess situations, such as in Exodus 3:8 when God comes down to deliver Israel from Egypt. to see the city and the tower
The city and the tower refer to Babel, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. The tower, often associated with a ziggurat, was an architectural structure common in ancient Mesopotamia, intended to reach the heavens. This reflects humanity's attempt to assert independence and achieve greatness apart from God. The act of God "seeing" is reminiscent of Genesis 18:21, where God investigates Sodom and Gomorrah, indicating a thorough examination before judgment. that the sons of men were building
"Sons of men" underscores the human origin and effort behind the construction, contrasting divine creation with human ambition. This phrase highlights the collective human endeavor, emphasizing unity in rebellion. It connects to the broader biblical theme of humanity's fallen nature and the tendency to seek self-glorification. The construction of the tower can be seen as a type of human attempts to reach God through their own means, contrasting with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the only way to God (John 14:6). Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement and authority over creation. In this passage, He actively observes human actions. 2. The City and the TowerRefers to the city of Babel and the tower within it, which the people were building to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered over the earth. 3. The Sons of MenThis phrase refers to humanity collectively, emphasizing their unity and shared purpose in building the tower. 4. BabelThe location where the events of Genesis 11 take place, later known as Babylon. It symbolizes human pride and rebellion against God. 5. The Event of Divine ObservationGod's action of "coming down" to see the city and the tower highlights His sovereignty and the futility of human efforts to reach divine status. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and OmniscienceGod is fully aware of human actions and intentions. His "coming down" is a reminder that nothing escapes His notice, and He is actively involved in the affairs of the world. Human Pride and RebellionThe building of the tower represents humanity's pride and desire for self-sufficiency apart from God. This serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and the pursuit of self-glorification. The Futility of Human Efforts Against God’s WillDespite human efforts to establish their own plans, God's purposes will prevail. This encourages believers to align their goals with God's will rather than pursuing their own ambitions. The Importance of Obedience to God’s CommandsThe people’s attempt to avoid being scattered was in direct disobedience to God’s command to fill the earth. This highlights the importance of trusting and obeying God’s directives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the phrase "the LORD came down" in Genesis 11:5 emphasize God's relationship with humanity, and what does it teach us about His character? 2. In what ways do the actions of the people at Babel reflect common human tendencies today, and how can we guard against similar attitudes? 3. How does the event at Babel illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands, and what lessons can we learn about the importance of obedience? 4. What are some modern "towers" that people build in an attempt to make a name for themselves, and how can Christians respond to these cultural pressures? 5. How can understanding God's sovereignty, as demonstrated in Genesis 11:5, provide comfort and guidance in our personal lives and decision-making processes? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:28The command to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" contrasts with the people's desire to avoid being scattered, showing their disobedience to God's original mandate. Psalm 2:4This verse speaks of God’s sovereignty and how He views human attempts to defy His will, similar to His response to the tower of Babel. Acts 17:26-27Paul speaks of God determining the times and places for nations, which connects to God's intervention at Babel to disperse humanity. People Abram, Arphaxad, Eber, Haran, Iscah, Lot, Milcah, Nahor, Peleg, Reu, Salah, Sarai, Serug, Shelah, Shem, TerahPlaces Babel, Canaan, Haran, Mesha, Shinar, UrTopics Builded, Building, Built, Sons, Tower, TownDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 11:1-9 5004 human race, and sin Genesis 11:3-5 5240 building Genesis 11:3-9 5849 exaltation Genesis 11:4-9 6125 condemnation, divine Genesis 11:5-7 5493 retribution
5971 uniqueness Genesis 11:5-9 4029 world, human beings in Library The Church.
FROM THE PREFACE TO THE "HOLY CITY." UPON a certain First-day, I being together with my brethren in our prison-chamber, they expected that, according to our custom, something should be spoken out of the word for our mutual edification; but at that time I felt myself--it being my turn to speak--so empty, spiritless, and barren, that I thought I should not have been able to speak among them so much as five words of truth, with life and evidence: but at last it so fell out that providentially I cast …
John Bunyan—The Riches of BunyanMeditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Cain Murders his Brother; Called to Account.
IV. CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER; CALLED TO ACCOUNT. A. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER. 1. What moved Cain to commit murder 107. 2. Cain's hypocritical actions in concealing his anger that he might the more easily commit the murder 108-109. * Cain the picture of all hypocrites 110-129. * The attitude of hypocrites to their neighbors. Also, how we are to view the efforts of the pope and bishops in behalf of peace and unity 111-112. * Against what people we should most guard 112. 3. How Cain listened to …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 11:5 NIVGenesis 11:5 NLTGenesis 11:5 ESVGenesis 11:5 NASBGenesis 11:5 KJV
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