Genesis 11 Study Notes

11:3 The brick used to build this tower was man-made and not as hard as stone. “Slime” was a sticky, tar-like substance.

11:3, 4 The tower of Babel was most likely a ziggurat, a common structure in Babylonia at this time. Most often built as temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with steps or ramps leading up the sides. Ziggurats stood as high as 300 feet and were often just as wide; thus they were the focal point of the city. The people in this story built their tower as a monument to their own greatness, something for the whole world to see.

11:4 The tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world. But it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. We may build monuments to ourselves (expensive clothes, big house, fancy car, important job) to call attention to our achievements. These may not be wrong in themselves, but when we use them to give us identity and self-worth, they take God’s place in our lives. We are free to develop in many areas, but we are not free to think we have replaced God. What “towers” have you built in your life?

11:10-27 Here and in 10:22-31 appears a list of Shem’s descendants, who were blessed (9:26). Because of that blessing, from Shem’s line came Abram and the entire Jewish nation, which would eventually conquer the land of Canaan in the days of Joshua.

11:27-28 Abram grew up in Ur of the Chaldeans (Chaldees), an important city in the ancient world. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a flourishing civilization there in Abram’s day. The city carried on an extensive trade with its neighbors and had a vast library. Growing up in Ur, Abram was probably well educated.

11:31 Terah left Ur to go to Canaan but settled in Haran instead. Why did he stop halfway? It may have been his health, the climate, or even fear. But this did not change Abram’s calling (“the LORD had said unto Abram,” 12:1). He had respect for his father’s leadership, but when Terah died, Abram moved on to Canaan. God’s will may come in stages. Just as the time in Haran was a transition period for Abram, so God may give us transition periods and times of waiting to help us depend on him and trust his timing. If we patiently do his will during the transition times, we will be better prepared to serve him as we should when he calls us.