Easter · The Day of Pentecost
Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel
May 24, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens.” (Genesis 11:4)
The preceding Table of Nations describes the unity among all peoples on earth, while this narrative gives the reason for the diversity, discord, and distrust that exist among the various clans, tribes, and nations. In this narrative the people take counsel and begin to build a tower (vv. 1–4); God in response takes counsel and puts an end to their building (vv. 5–8); and the episode is memorialized by naming that place Babel, that is, Babylon (v. 9). This famous city symbolizes commerce, human achievement, and the pursuit of pleasure. It is also known for its ziggurat, named Etemenanki, a temple with a terraced tower of three to seven successively receding stories. Mesopotamians thought that the earth met heaven at the top of the tower.
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Commentary
Commentary on Genesis 11:1-9 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary Working Preacher
The Revised Common Lectionary Day of Pentecost commentary on Babel as the counterpoint to the Spirit's gift of tongues.
Acts 2:1-21/Genesis 11:1-9 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary pairing Babel's scattering with Pentecost's gospel clarity.
Genesis 11 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse exposition of the tower, the confusion of language, and the scattering of the nations.
Genesis 11 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
Precept Austin's detailed word study and cross-references on Babel's brick and pitch and human pride.
Genesis 11:1 Commentaries - Bible Hub BibleHub
A classic aggregator of historic commentators on the one language and the building of the city and tower.
Background & Word Study
Book of Genesis Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject
BibleProject's animated overview of Genesis 1-11, the primeval history that climaxes at Babel.
Genesis 11:1 Interlinear - Bible Hub BibleHub
Hebrew interlinear with parsing for the wordplay on Babel, balal (confuse), and the scattering.
Genesis 11 | Sefaria Library Sefaria
The pointed Hebrew text with Jewish translation and classical rabbinic commentary on the tower narrative.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is the Tower of Babel read at Pentecost?
At Babel human pride is scattered and languages confused; Pentecost is its reversal, when the Spirit gathers the nations and each hears the wonders of God in their own tongue.
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