Gen 11:4 | TNotes | STEP | 11:4 Far from the original garden (2:15 ), the first cities of Genesis represent arrogance (4:17 ), tyranny (10:8-12 ), and wickedness (18:20-21 ). The city on the Babylonian plain was a magnet for human pride and idolatry. • a tower that reaches into the sky: This was probably a temple-tower (a ziggurat). Common in ancient Babylonian urban culture, ziggurats were regarded as sacred mountains by which deities descended to earth (Jacob’s dream in 28:12 possibly reflects this idea). • This will make us famous (literally let us make a name for ourselves ): The tower builders sought fame through idolatrous ambition. God promised to give Abram a famous name because of his humble obedience (12:2 ).

d10:8-12►

e18:20-21►

‏ Genesis 11:4

11:4 ^a Far from the original garden (2:15 ^b), the first cities of Genesis represent arrogance (4:17 ^c), tyranny (10:8-12 ^d), and wickedness (18:20-21 ^e). The city on the Babylonian plain was a magnet for human pride and idolatry.

• a tower that reaches into the sky: This was probably a temple-tower (a ziggurat). Common in ancient Babylonian urban culture, ziggurats were regarded as sacred mountains by which deities descended to earth (Jacob’s dream in 28:12 ^f possibly reflects this idea).

• This will make us famous (literally let us make a name for ourselves): The tower builders sought fame through idolatrous ambition. God promised to give Abram a famous name because of his humble obedience (12:2 ^g).