The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1–9 (NASB95) 

1Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.  

2It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth. 

Genesis 11:1-9 tells the story of humanity united by one language and purpose, settling in the land of Shinar. As they moved eastward, they distanced themselves from the presence of God. This eastward movement symbolizes a spiritual departure, echoing earlier separations from God such as Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden. The further humanity moves from God, the more their desires and actions oppose Him. 

This narrative reveals the third major attempt by humanity to transcend God’s limits and become like gods. The first was in the Garden of Eden, where humans sought moral autonomy that did not belong to them. The second occurred in Genesis 6, when fallen angels aligned with humans, producing hybrid offspring to dominate nations. Now, at Babel, humanity uses the technology of their time—brick and mortar—to build a tower reaching heaven itself, aiming to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered. This is an ancient form of transhumanism: the attempt to overcome human limitations and become godlike by human effort alone.  

Today, transhumanism continues in new forms, such as blending humans with artificial enhancements. Some leaders in this movement openly declare their goal to "overcome the human condition." The Bible teaches that humanity is not a condition to be overcome but a creation made in God’s image. History and Scripture show that such attempts end in failure and divine judgment. 

God’s response to Babel mirrors His earlier actions to limit human wickedness, such as restricting human lifespan after the flood. Here, God confuses human language and scatters the people across the earth. This divine intervention limits humanity’s collective power to rebel and do evil. 

The broader message is clear: the majority of humanity will reject and oppose God. In response, God chooses one righteous and loyal man to carry forward His redemptive plan. The narrative shifts to Abraham, through whom God will bless all nations. Abraham’s story contrasts sharply with Babel’s prideful rebellion. 

We must reject the temptation to "make a name for ourselves" through pride and self-reliance. Instead, believers are called to be like Abraham—partnering with God in His purposes. This means embracing humility, obedience, and faithfulness to God’s mission. The church stands as a community called to trust God’s promises and to participate in His redemptive work in the world. By aligning with God rather than opposing Him, the church becomes a beacon of hope and blessing amid a world often marked by rebellion and self-exaltation.