Genesis 11:4 - Rebelling against divine dispersion?

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָבָה נִבְנֶה־לָּנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַשָּׁמַיִם וְנַעֲשֶׂה־לָּנוּ שֵׁם פֶּן־נָפוּץ עַל־פְּנֵי כָל־הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

And they said, Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Transliteration

Vayomru hava nivneh-lanu ir umigdal verosho vashamayim vena'aseh-lanu shem pen-nafutz al-pnei kol-ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ הָ֣בָה ׀ נִבְנֶה־לָּ֣נוּ עִ֗יר וּמִגְדָּל֙ וְרֹאשׁ֣וֹ בַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנַֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֖נוּ שֵׁ֑ם פֶּן־נָפ֖וּץ עַל־פְּנֵ֥י כׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

Parasha Commentary

The Sin of the Generation of the Dispersion

The verse describes the people's plan to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens" to avoid being scattered. Rashi (Bereshit 11:4) explains that their primary sin was rebellion against Hashem's command to "fill the earth" (Bereshit 9:1). Instead of spreading out, they sought to concentrate in one place and challenge divine authority.

The Nature of Their Rebellion

The Midrash (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 24) elaborates that they built the tower as an act of defiance, intending to wage war against Heaven itself. Ramban (Bereshit 11:1) adds that their statement "let us make a name for ourselves" reveals their arrogance and desire for eternal fame, akin to idolatrous self-worship.

The Tower's Symbolism

Physical and Spiritual Rebellion: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) states they used bricks and mortar to build the tower, symbolizing their unity in rebellion. Fire could destroy stone, but bricks could be reused - showing their determination to persist in their defiance.
Reaching Heaven: Sforno notes their tower wasn't literally meant to reach the heavens, but rather to serve as an idolatrous center that would keep them united in their sinful ways.

Divine Response to Their Plan

Hashem responded by confounding their language (Bereshit 11:7), as the Malbim explains that their unity in sin made their transgression particularly severe. The dispersion was both a punishment and a mercy - preventing them from collectively descending further into rebellion.

Lessons for Future Generations

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that this story warns against collective action for sinful purposes. While unity is generally positive (as seen later with Israel at Sinai), when used for rebellion against Hashem, it becomes destructive. The generation's fear of being scattered was ultimately their undoing, teaching that resisting divine will leads to the very consequences one seeks to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the sin of the people building the Tower of Babel?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, their sin was rebellion against Hashem's will. They sought to 'make a name for themselves' (Genesis 11:4) rather than fulfill G-d's command to spread out and populate the earth (Genesis 9:1). The Midrash explains they also wanted to wage war against Heaven by building a tower to challenge G-d's dominion.

Q: Why did G-d confuse their languages at the Tower of Babel?
A: The Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim that this was a divine punishment matching their crime. Since they united in rebellion against G-d's plan for humanity, He divided them through language barriers. As Rashi notes, this forced them to scatter across the earth as G-d originally commanded.

Q: What lesson can we learn from the Tower of Babel story today?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) derives that unity for improper purposes is destructive. While unity is generally positive, the people misused it to rebel against G-d. Today we learn to channel unity for holy purposes like Torah study and mitzvot, not selfish ambitions.

Q: What does 'make us a name' mean in Genesis 11:4?
A: Rashi explains this shows their arrogant desire for eternal fame rather than serving G-d. The Midrash Tanchuma adds they inscribed bricks with 'Lest it fall' - showing more concern for their tower than for G-d's will. They prioritized human achievement over divine purpose.

Q: Was the Tower of Babel literally going to reach heaven?
A: No, this is understood as hyperbolic language. Rashi explains it means the tower would be very tall. The Sforno notes their intention was to create a centralized power structure to resist being scattered, not actually reach the heavens. Their arrogance was in thinking they could defy G-d's plan.