Gen 11:4 | NET2full | STEP | Then they said , “ Come , let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth .”

‏ Genesis 11:4

4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens ^{▼▼tn A translation of “heavens” for שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) fits this context because the Babylonian ziggurats had temples at the top, suggesting they reached to the heavens, the dwelling place of the gods.} so that ^{▼▼tn The form וְנַעֲשֶׂה (venaʿaseh, from the verb עָשָׁה [ʿasah], “do, make”) could be either the imperfect or the cohortative with a vav (ו) conjunction (“and let us make…”). Coming after the previous cohortative, this form expresses purpose.} we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew particle פֶּן (pen) expresses a negative purpose; it means “that we be not scattered.”} we will be scattered ^{▼▼sn The Hebrew verb פּוּץ (puts, “scatter”) is a key term in this passage. The focal point of the account is the dispersion (“scattering”) of the nations rather than the Tower of Babel. But the passage also forms a polemic against Babylon, the pride of the east and a cosmopolitan center with a huge ziggurat. To the Hebrews it was a monument to the judgment of God on pride.} across the face of the entire earth.”