Turmbau zu Babel

The account in Genesis 11:1-9 of humanity's attempt to build a city and tower 'that reaches to the heavens' to 'make a name for ourselves.' God judged this act of collective pride by confusing the people's language and scattering them across the earth. The name 'Babel' (related to 'confusion') became associated with Babylon, the archetypal city of human rebellion against God. The tower of Babel explains the origin of linguistic and cultural diversity. Pentecost (Acts 2) reverses Babel — the Holy Spirit enables people from many languages to understand the gospel. The scattering at Babel leads ultimately to the gathering of 'every nation, tribe, people and language' before God's throne (Revelation 7:9).