The Tower of Babel

1987 artwork by Japanese artist Takako Horino (b. 1931). “Like many contemporary artists, Takako Horino of Japan is angered at the distorted sense of values in modern society. In her search for an explanation she has turned to the Old Testament and concentrated on the implications of three stories: the ark of Noah, the tower of Babel and the destruction of Sodom. Each of them is an expression of God’s wrath against human stupidity. The tower of Babel compares government fixation with scientific development and weapons of war with its neglect of the people’s welfare. The monolith of the tower and its missiles stands in stark contrast to the broken buildings, churches and institutions below. In the end, all is destroyed. No life exists. A solitary skeleton sitting in front of a television monitor marks the final symbol of humanity’s self-destruction.” (Source for this and the image: The Bible Through Asian Eyes by Masao Takenaka and Ron O’Grady 1991)

The following artwork is by Sister Marie Claire , SMMI (1937–2018) from Bengaluru, India:

For more information about images by Sister Marie Claire and ways to purchase them as lithographs, see here .

For other images of Sister Marie Claire paintings in TIPs, see here.

complete verse (Genesis 11:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 11:6:

  • Kankanaey: “he said, ‘If that is what they do now because their minds/thoughts and their language/speech are only-one, there-is-nothing that they will not be-capable-of in the future (lit. addition of days).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then He said — All these are of one ethnic group and are speakers of one language. This is just the beginning of the work they are about to do. From now on these [people] will be able to do anything they desire.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He said, ‘These people are united/of-one-mind and they have only one language. And this [what] they are-doing is only the beginning yet of [what] they still will/would-do. In a short-time/[lit. in not long] they will-do whatever they want to-do.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Yahweh said, ‘These people are one group that all speak the same language. If they have begun to do this now, then there is nothing that they will decide to do that will be impossible for them/they will be able to do whatever they decide to do!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 11:6

And the LORD said introduces the speech of God, which is actually a thought or reflection. It may be more appropriate in some languages to say “Then the LORD thought to himself” or “The LORD said within his heart.”

For Behold see 1.29 and comments. In some translations an idiomatic exclamation expressing surprise or concern has been used as a suitable equivalent for this Hebrew exclamation; an English example may be “My word! ….”

They are one people: this is the LORD’s observation and one of the reasons for his decision to separate them. The meaning is “They are one race,” or “They are a single tribe,” “… a single ethnic group.” The decision to scatter them, as seen in the words of the LORD, is not primarily because they are building a city and a tower, but because of their singleness of race and language, and because of what they will eventually be able to do.

They have all one language: language is the same word as used in verse 1, and the thought here is practically the same as in Gen 11.1.

And this is only the beginning of what they will do: this refers to the building of the city with its tower. Only the beginning suggests that the LORD’s concern is for the future, the much greater things they will eventually do. We may translate “there is no telling what they will do” or “just think what they may do next.”

Nothing they propose to do will now be impossible for them: this suggests that God sees them as becoming like him and so again passing their human limits, as in 3.5. We may translate “Soon they will be able to do everything they can think of.” New English Bible and Speiser say “Nothing … will be beyond their reach.” One example found in two different translations says “It won’t be long and they will be able to do whatever they like.” Another translation has “If they think of some thing that they want to do, it won’t be taboo to them any more.”

Some translators may find it necessary to shift the various clauses in verse 6 to give a smoother and more natural flow of ideas and to lead into Gen 11.7. We may need to begin verse 6 with this is only the beginning, since this refers to the building of the city; or we may say “See how building this city and tower is only the beginning of what these people will do. They will soon be able to do anything they can imagine. The reason is that they all belong to a single tribe [race, nation] and all speak the same language.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .