Gen 11:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 11:1-9: 11:1-9 The story of the unfinished tower carries forward themes of language and solidarity from the Table of Nations (ch 10 ). The builders’ desire for autonomy recalls the rebellion in Eden (ch 3 ) and establishes the need for Abram’s redemptive faith in the midst of international disorder (ch 12 ). The scattering of the nations anticipates the warning to Israel that idolatry would result in their being scattered and their cities devastated (see Lev 26:33 ; Num 10:35 ; Deut 4:27 ; 28:64 ; 30:3 ). Chronologically, the story is a flashback that explains the rise of the nations during Peleg’s time (see Gen 10:25 ). 11:1 At one time: The events described in 11:1-9 led to the scattering of nations that is reflected in the genealogies of 10:2-30 . The reversal of order has a theological purpose (see study note on 10:1

a11:1-9►

b10►

c3►

d12►

eLev 26:33►

fNum 10:35►

gDeut 4:27►

h28:64►

i30:3►

jGen 10:25►

k11:1►

l11:1-9►

m10:2-30►

‏ Genesis 11:1

Summary for Gen 11:1-9: 11:1-9 ^a The story of the unfinished tower carries forward themes of language and solidarity from the Table of Nations (ch 10 ^b). The builders’ desire for autonomy recalls the rebellion in Eden (ch 3 ^c) and establishes the need for Abram’s redemptive faith in the midst of international disorder (ch 12 ^d). The scattering of the nations anticipates the warning to Israel that idolatry would result in their being scattered and their cities devastated (see Lev 26:33 ^e; Num 10:35 ^f; Deut 4:27 ^g; 28:64 ^h; 30:3 ⁱ). Chronologically, the story is a flashback that explains the rise of the nations during Peleg’s time (see Gen 10:25 ^j). 11:1 ^k At one time: The events described in 11:1-9 ^l led to the scattering of nations that is reflected in the genealogies of 10:2-30 ^m. The reversal of order has a theological purpose (see study note on 10:1–11:9).