Babylon

Genesis 9:9:

“Therefore its name is called Babylon, for there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

     While the majority of the tribes migrated to other places, some of the people remained in the area of the unfinished city. Moses revealed that the eventual name of the area would be Babylon. The literal name in the Hebrew here is Babel (as in KJV, ESV, NIV). It is the same name, however, that appears later in Scripture to refer to the kingdom of Babylon (2 Kings 20:12, 17; Jer. 21:2). In addition, a play on words is evident between the name and the similar sounding Hebrew word rendered “confused.” The ideas of “Babylon” and “confusion” would be forever linked.

     Over time, the people who stayed in the area of Babylon established a city-state. The region was controlled at various times by Elamites, Assyrians, and Chaldeans. It was from this region that Abram (Abraham) migrated, following the call of the Lord God to go to a land he and his descendants would be given (Gen. 11:31-12:3). Ironically, it would be this region where God's people centuries later would be sent into exile for their unfaithfulness to the Lord (Jer. 25:11).

     Just as God caused the confusion of languages, the Lord scattered the people over the face of the whole earth. Genesis 10 and 11 describe some of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Their names are associated with numerous nations readily identifiable in history. Following the confusion of languages, Japheth's descendants settled into the northwestern areas of the ancient world, including areas of modern Turkey and Europe. Genesis 10:5 refers to “the coast land peoples” (“isle of the Gentiles,” KJV).

     The descendants of Ham spread out over a large area, including in the lands later known as Syria, Canaan, and large parts of northern and eastern Africa, including Egypt. Many ancestral enemies of Israel came from the sons of Canaan, including the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, and the Hivites (Gen. 10:15-17). These nations were driven out when the Israelites returned to the promised land following the exodus (Ex. 33:2).

     Shem's descendants occupied several regions, including the area of Mesopotamia, and what became Arabia. Ur of the Chaldeans, from which Terah and his son Abram emerged, lay to the south of Babylon. Abram heard the call of God and left this land to settle in Canaan. By faith, he fulfilled God's calling of his family to leave the area of confusion and establish a new people and a new nation in the land of God's choosing. Through Abram emerged God's chosen people, Israel, from whom eventually would come Jesus Christ-the Savior of the world.

     In summary, the story of Babel reminds us that people are capable of taking what God provides and twisting it into an act of disobedience. Still, God will see to it that His ultimate purposes are carried out in spite of all opposing efforts human might plan.

Applying the Scripture:
How have you experienced God at work to fulfill His plan in your life, even in times when you sought to go your own way?