And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. They said to one anotherThis phrase indicates a collective decision-making process among the people. In the Hebrew text, the word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a deliberate and intentional communication. This reflects the unity and shared purpose among the people, highlighting the communal nature of their endeavor. Historically, this unity can be seen as a double-edged sword; while it demonstrates cooperation, it also sets the stage for collective rebellion against God’s command to fill the earth ( Genesis 9:1). Come, let us make bricks
The phrase "Come, let us" is a call to action, showing determination and initiative. The Hebrew word for "brick" is "לְבֵנָה" (levenah), which is significant because it marks a technological advancement from using natural stones to manufacturing building materials. This innovation reflects humanity's growing ability to manipulate the environment, a skill that can be used for both good and ill. The making of bricks signifies human ingenuity and the potential for progress, but also foreshadows the potential for pride and self-reliance apart from God. and bake them thoroughly
The thorough baking of bricks indicates a desire for durability and permanence. The Hebrew root "שָׂרַף" (saraph) means to burn or bake, suggesting a process that transforms the raw material into something more robust. This reflects humanity's desire to create lasting structures, symbolizing a quest for immortality and legacy. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as an attempt to establish a name and presence independent of God’s provision and timing. So they used brick instead of stone
This substitution of brick for stone is significant. Stones, created by God, were traditionally used in construction and altars, symbolizing reliance on God’s creation. The choice to use man-made bricks instead of God-made stones can be seen as a metaphor for human pride and self-sufficiency. It represents a shift from divine dependence to human innovation, which, while not inherently wrong, becomes problematic when it leads to self-exaltation. and tar instead of mortar
The use of "tar" (Hebrew: "חֵמָר" - chemar) instead of traditional mortar further emphasizes human innovation. Tar, a bituminous substance, was used for waterproofing and binding, indicating a desire for strength and resilience. This choice reflects a focus on human engineering and security, potentially at the expense of spiritual obedience and trust in God. Theologically, it can be seen as a metaphor for the human tendency to rely on worldly solutions rather than divine guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. The People of ShinarThe collective group of people who settled in the land of Shinar, which is often associated with the region of Mesopotamia. They are the builders of the Tower of Babel. 2. The Land of ShinarA geographical location in the ancient Near East, often identified with southern Mesopotamia. It is the setting for the events of Genesis 11. 3. The Making of BricksThe technological advancement and communal effort to create bricks for construction, signifying human ingenuity and unity in purpose. 4. The Use of TarThe choice of tar (or bitumen) as a binding agent instead of traditional mortar, indicating a departure from natural materials and a reliance on human innovation. 5. The Event of BuildingThe collective decision to build a city and a tower, which ultimately leads to God's intervention and the scattering of the people. Teaching Points Human Ingenuity and PrideThe making of bricks and the use of tar demonstrate human creativity and technological advancement. However, it also reflects pride and self-reliance, as the people sought to make a name for themselves apart from God. Unity and DisobedienceWhile unity is often seen as positive, the unity at Babel was in direct opposition to God's command to spread out and fill the earth. This teaches us that unity must align with God's purposes. Divine InterventionGod's response to the building project shows His sovereignty and the futility of human efforts that go against His will. It reminds us that God's plans will ultimately prevail. Innovation and Dependence on GodWhile innovation is a gift from God, it should not lead us away from dependence on Him. We must use our skills and resources in ways that honor God and align with His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the decision to use bricks and tar instead of stone and mortar reflect the people's attitude towards God and His creation? 2. In what ways can human innovation and technology become a source of pride and disobedience in our lives today? 3. How does the account of Babel challenge us to evaluate our own unity and collective goals within our communities and churches? 4. What lessons can we learn from God's intervention at Babel about His sovereignty and our need to align with His purposes? 5. How can we ensure that our advancements and achievements are used to glorify God rather than to make a name for ourselves? Consider connections to other scriptures that emphasize humility and dependence on God. Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:28The command to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" contrasts with the people's desire to settle and build a city, highlighting disobedience to God's original mandate. Exodus 1:14The use of bricks in Egypt during the Israelites' enslavement echoes the labor-intensive process and human effort seen in Babel. Acts 2:1-12The event of Pentecost, where language barriers are overcome by the Holy Spirit, contrasts with the confusion of languages at Babel, showing God's redemptive plan. People Abram, Arphaxad, Eber, Haran, Iscah, Lot, Milcah, Nahor, Peleg, Reu, Salah, Sarai, Serug, Shelah, Shem, TerahPlaces Babel, Canaan, Haran, Mesha, Shinar, UrTopics Asphalt, Bake, Bitumen, Brick, Bricks, Burn, Burning, Instead, Let's, Mortar, Neighbour, Putting, Slime, Sticky, Stone, Tar, ThoroughlyDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 11:3 5222 baking
8421 equipping, physical Genesis 11:1-3 4366 stones Genesis 11:1-4 4306 minerals
8801 presumption Genesis 11:1-9 5004 human race, and sin Genesis 11:3-4 5239 bricks
5340 house Genesis 11:3-5 5240 building Genesis 11:3-9 5849 exaltation 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 11:3 NIVGenesis 11:3 NLTGenesis 11:3 ESVGenesis 11:3 NASBGenesis 11:3 KJV
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