Old Testament · event
Tower of Babel
Humanity's pride reaching for heaven, and the scattering.
The Tower of Babel is the story of people building a tower to reach heaven, saying "Let us make a name for ourselves," until God confused their language and scattered them over all the earth.
"Let Us Make a Name"
When the whole earth spoke one language, the people sought to avoid being scattered by building a tower and city "with its top in the heavens," to make a name for themselves (Genesis 11). It was the self-display of humanity apart from God.
The Scattering, and the Reversal at Pentecost
God confused their language and scattered them. Strikingly, at the New Testament Pentecost (Acts 2), many languages were understood through the Spirit — a picture of humanity, scattered at Babel, gathered again within the gospel.
Related verses
- Genesis 11:4"With its top in the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves."