Gen 11: The Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the World
Guest: Prof. John Day. In this episode, we explore one of the most intriguing and often misunderstood stories in the Bible: the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). What was so wrong with humanity coming together in unity? Why does God intervene—and what does this moment reveal about human nature, ambition, and the divine plan?
Joined by Old Testament scholar Professor John Day (Oxford), we dig into the deeper theological and historical dimensions of the text. This conversation brings clarity to a story that serves as the turning point from the primeval history (Genesis 1–11) into the story of Abraham and the formation of God’s people.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What exactly was the “problem” at Babel—was it the tower, the city, or something deeper?
- The meaning behind “making a name for ourselves” and the dangers of human self-definition apart from God
- Why unified humanity can be both powerful—and problematic
- How Babel explains the origin of nations, languages, and human division
- The relationship between Babel and ancient Mesopotamian culture and ziggurats
- How Genesis 11 sets the stage for Abraham and God’s redemptive plan
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