“And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.”
This verse is part of the account of the Tower of Babel, which occurs in Genesis 11:1-9. Let’s explore the context and meaning of this verse within the broader narrative.
The story of the Tower of Babel takes place after the Great Flood and focuses on the descendants of Noah. In Genesis 10, the chapter immediately preceding the Tower of Babel account, a genealogy is given, tracing the lineages of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. This genealogy provides a backdrop for understanding the subsequent events.
In Genesis 11:1-2, we read that all the people on earth spoke the same language and migrated from the east, settling in a plain in the land of Shinar (Babylonia). They decided to build a city with a tower that would reach the heavens. The people wanted to make a name for themselves and prevent themselves from being scattered across the earth.
Verse 3:describes the people’s plan to build the tower. They said to one another, “Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly.” The people decided to make bricks instead of using stones, which would have been a more readily available building material. They intended to burn the bricks thoroughly to increase their strength and durability. Additionally, the verse mentions that they used slime, or bitumen, as mortar to bind the bricks together. This verse serves as an introduction to the construction process employed by the people of Babel. It highlights their technological advancements and determination to build a towering structure that would reach the heavens.
The Tower of Babel account carries significant theological themes. It showcases humanity’s attempt to assert its power and greatness apart from God’s guidance and authority. The people sought to make a name for themselves and establish a centralized city to prevent being scattered across the earth. In their arrogance, they wanted to build a tower that would reach the heavens, defying the boundaries set by God.
The consequences of their actions are revealed in the following verses. God observes their unity and ambition and decides to confuse their language. As a result, the people are unable to understand one another, leading to the dispersion of humanity across the earth. The tower remains unfinished, and the city is called Babel, which means “confusion” in Hebrew. This account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, disobedience, and self-centeredness. It highlights the importance of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and submitting to His will rather than pursuing our own desires and ambitions apart from Him.
In summary, Genesis 11:3 describes the building materials and techniques used by the people of Babel in their construction of the Tower of Babel. The verse sets the stage for the account of the Tower of Babel, which warns against human pride and rebellion against God.
