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Genesis 11:1-2

Genesis 11:1-2 . Now the whole earth  [ a ] used the same language and  [ b ] the same words . 2  It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and  [ c ] settled there. (NASB) a Genesis 11:1  Lit  was one lip

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Genesis 11:1-2

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  1. Genesis 11:1-2 Now the whole earth [a]used the same language and [b]the same words. 2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and [c]settled there. (NASB) a Genesis 11:1 Lit was one lip B Genesis 11:1 Or few or one set of words c Genesis 11:2 Lit dwelt

  2. Genesis 11:3 3 They 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. Nimrod had attained leadership (see Gen. 10:8-10) Civilization could go in two directions: • In obedience to God (Gen. 1:28; 9:1) systematically colonize and develop all parts of the earth • Establish a strong centralized society with governmental control over resources and occupations, to produce a self-sufficient anti-Jehovah civilization

  3. Genesis 11:4 4 They 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.”  (NASB) Q: Why does the KJV begin the quote by saying, “Go to, let us build…” and the NIV “Come, let’s make bricks…” A: The Hebrew word ‘give’ (yahab) can be translated as give, or ‘go’ or ‘come’ and most often translated ‘come’ in Genesis 11, meaning ‘grant’ or ‘permit’

  4. Genesis 11:4 Q: Was the Tower of Babel and Babylon a desire by the Hamites to thwart the curse placed upon them by Noah, after the events described in Genesis 9:24-25? Perhaps. • A collectivist and centrist position prevailed, and the great construction project began. • They were not concerned with God’s purposes • They intended to ‘make us a name’

  5. Genesis 11:4 Q: Genesis 11:1-9 does not mention Nimrod. How do we know he was the leader who was building the Tower of Babel? A: Genesis 10:8-12 describe Nimrod as the leader of the Hamites, who build a city in Babylon (first) and then several other cities., including Erech, Akkad and Calneh, in Shinar (the plains around Babylon).

  6. Genesis 11:4 “lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” “Not only the awareness of God’s will, but the basic human drives of curiosity and independence of spirit might impel many among them to explore and develop the unknown regions in other parts of the world, if there were not a strong unifying and binding influence tying them to one location.” (Morris, p. 270)

  7. Genesis 11:4 Q: Because the city ‘Babylon’ is mentioned so often in Scripture, and in the Book of Genesis (Beginning) and the Book of Revelation (at the ending), are there similarities between the characters of Nimrod and the future Antichrist? Yes, at least 7: • Nimrod means ‘rebel; 2 Thess. 2:8 describes the Antichrist as the ‘lawless one’ • Nimrod defies Almighty God and His commands; Daniel 11:36-37 “The King (the Antichrist) will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods” (NIV)

  8. Genesis 11:4 • Four times the word ‘mighty’ is used to describe Nimrod; 2 Thess. 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing” • Nimrod was a hunter (implying he hunted men---a warrior); Psalm 5:4-6 “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors”

  9. Genesis 11:4 5. Nimrod was a King (Gen. 10:10 says he had a kingdom); Daniel 11:36 “the King will do as he pleases…” 6. Nimrod’s headquarters are in Babylon; the ‘man of sin’ is described as the King of Babylon’ in Isaiah 14:4 “the taunt against the king of Babylon…” and Revelation 17:3-5 “Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes, and of the Abominations of the Earth…” 7. Nimrod desires to ‘make a name’ for himself; the antichrist does the same (2 Thess. 2:4 “he opposes and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God”)

  10. Genesis 11:4 In Nimrod and his schemes we see Satan's initial attempt to raise up a universal ruler of men in defiance to the Living God • with an inordinate desire for fame • in the mighty power which he wielded • in his ruthless and brutal methods---suggested by the word "hunter”

  11. Genesis 11:4 • in his blatant defiance of the Creator, (seen in his utter disregard for God’s command to replenish the earth, perhaps supporting abortion on demand, homosexuality, and murder) • by determining to prevent his subjects from being scattered abroadas God commanded---dependent upon himself and his government • in his founding of the kingdom of Babylon- “the Gate of God”- thus arrogating to himself Divine honors; although the name Babylon came to mean ‘confuse’

  12. Genesis 11:4 • In the Holy Spirit placing the record of these things immediately before the inspired account of God's bringing Abram (Abraham) into Canaan, pointing forward to the re-gathering of the line of Seth (Israel) in Palestine • Pointing toward the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, coming to give Himself as a ransom for those who will place themselves in His divine care

  13. Genesis 11:4 • immediately after the overthrow of the Lawless One the Lord Jesus will return; and finally, • "Let us go down and there confound their language” (Gen. 11:7) describes the destruction of Nimrod’s kingdom, foreshadowing the descent of Christ from Heaven to vanquish His impious Rival, the Antichrist • “…we cannot fail to see that there is here, beneath the historical narrative, something deeper than that which appears on the surface; yea, that there is here a complete typ-icalpicture of the person, work and destruction of the Anti-christ.” (A.W. Pink)

  14. Genesis 11:4 “As they had done before the Flood, these evil spirits began to control the minds and bodies of those human beings who were open to such possession and guidance, especially those of the priests and priestesses who had become devoted to this system of worship. To the innermost circle of these initiates, demonic revelations were given. To some, perhaps especially to Nimrod (and his wife Semiramis), Satan revealed the entire conspiracy against God.

  15. Genesis 11:4 From some such beginning soon emerged the entire complex of human ‘religion’ ---an evolutionary pantheism, promulgated via a system of astrology and idolatrous polytheism, empowered by occulticspiritism and demonism”(Morris, p. 272)

  16. Genesis 11:4 Q: Playing the ‘devil’s advocate’ could Barak Obama be the antichrist? A: In light of Daniel 11:24-39, where the Antichrist is said to ‘In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm (America), and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time. And he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army (Egypt)...(32) And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword, and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days

  17. Genesis 11:4 (34) Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. (35) And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.” (36) Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. (37) And he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all...”

  18. Genesis 11:4 Daniel 12:2-3 “(2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. (3) And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse off heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” John 5:28-29 “(28) Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, (29) and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment”

  19. Genesis 11:5-6 .” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have [d]the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be [e]impossible for them. (NASB) d Genesis 11:6 Lit one lip e Genesis 11:6 Lit withheld from

  20. Genesis 11:5-6 ” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.” • The Tower was in the process of being built • The Lord ‘coming down’ is not the same as Ezek. 29:20, 34:5, Numbers 11:25, etc., where the descent from the heaven is of some visible symbol of His presence, but this is an anthropomorphic description of God’s interposition in the actions of men, primarily a ‘judicial cognizance of the actual fact,’ with a judicial infliction of punishment following (v. 7) (K & D, p. 173)

  21. Genesis 11:5-6 “Behold one people(lit. A union, connected whole, from ‘to bind’) and one language have they all, and this (the building of this city and tower) is(only) the beginning of their deeds; and now(i.e. when they have finished this) nothing will be impossible to them (‘cut off from them’ or prevented) which they purpose to do” (K & D, p, 174)

  22. Genesis 11:5-6 Normally the Lord allows men and nations to pursue their own ways without supernatural interference on His part. Mankind is free and responsible; and though he will eventually suffer the consequences of his evil deeds, God is long-suffering. Therefore ungodliness often seems to thrive without hindrance in the affairs of men. But there have been times when God’s purposes for the world have become endangered, and His divine intervention is required. The antediluvian corruption was one such time...with only Noah’s family spared. Here is another instance in the rebellion of Babel

  23. Genesis 11:5-6 Q: How long did God wait before He ‘came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built”? We are not told, but it is in the nature of God to wait as long as possible, in hopes of repentance This ‘anthropomorphic expression does not suggest that God was not always fully aware of what was going on, but only that He now was officially and judicially taking the situation under direct observation and consideration, to protect the truth of God’s revelation that might be obliterated

  24. Genesis 11:5-6 The decision of the population to construct an autonomous, man-centered civilization, in direct defiance of God’s command, could not be ignored any longer With Nimrod’s presumed knowledge of the Satanic mysteries and his access to demonic powers, literally nothing which he might decide to do in the future would be beyond his reach. God would not allow the conditions before the Flood to prevail again.

  25. Genesis 11:5-6 Q: Was the Tower of Babel an attempt by Nimrod and the civilization to protect themselves against another world-wide Flood? No. Nimrod was no foolish simpleton in a fairy tale, imagining he could escape a global flood by building a tower that reached to heaven. His purpose was not to thwart another diluvial judgment but to dethrone the very Judge Himself! He had, indeed, practically unified all men in his Satanic partnership, and no doubt had other plans in mind once the human population was completely involved in his conspiracy. (Morris, p. 273)

  26. Genesis 11:7 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” (NASB) “Let us” – At least the three persons of the Godhead are involved Gen 1:26 – “Let Us make man in our image...” Gen 3:22 – “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil...”

  27. Psalm 2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

  28. Psalm 2 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

  29. Genesis 11:7 • Mankind was unwilling to obey God’s simple instructions to fill the earth, dividing into separate but parallel, governmental units • They preferred one great centralized government • This led to a unified anti-God religious philosophy • The key was their ability to cooperate and organize together, which depended on the ability to formulate and implement complex plans • This required the ability to communicate, ‘one lip and one vocabulary’, speaking, and thinking alike

  30. Genesis 11:7 “The differences, to which this event gave rise, consisted not merely in variations of sound, such as might be attributed to differences in the formation in the organs of speech (the lip or tongue), but had a much deeper foundation in the human mind. If language is the audible expression of emotions, conceptions, and thoughts of the mind, the cause of the confusion or division of the one human language into different national dialects must be sought in an effect produced upon the human mind, by which the original unity of emotion, conception, thought and will was broken up.”

  31. Genesis 11:7 “This inward unity had no doubt been already disturbed by sin, but the disturbance had not yet amounted to a perfect breach. This happened first of all in the event recorded here, through a direct manifestation of divine power, which caused the disturbance produced by sin in the unity of emotion, thought and will to issue in a diversity of language, and thus by a miraculous suspension of mutual understanding frustrated the enterprise by which men hoped to render dispersion and estrangement impossible.” (K & D, p. 175)

  32. Genesis 11:7 “With the disappearance of unity the one original language was also lost, so that neither in the Hebrew nor in any other language of history has enough been preserved to enable us to form the least conception of its character” (K &D, p. 175)

  33. Genesis 11:7 Q: When did this take place? If the division occurred in the days of Peleg (10:10), who was born 100 years after the Flood, there would be 150-180 years of rapid succession of births from Noah’s three sons. These sons were already 100 years old and married at the time of the Flood. If we estimate 4 sons and 4 daughters to each family, there would be 6 generations born by 150 years after the Flood. The population would be approximately 30,000

  34. Genesis 11:8-9 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore 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.

  35. Genesis 11:8-9 Q: Did God confuse the languages within family units? Was everyone speaking a different language? Probably not. Family units were presumably kept together, understanding each other, but not other family units. Chaos would reign, and people would have to separate Urban cooperation would become impossible Families began to leave, developing independent lifestyles as they moved further from Babel

  36. Genesis 11:8-9 Q: How long were people living at this time? People were living longer than we do today, but longevity was slowing decreasing to present day levels Noah 950 Peleg 239 Shem 600 Reu 239 Arphaxad 438 Serug 230 Selah 433 Nahor 148 Eber 464 Terah 205

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