“And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.”– Genesis 11:3 (KJV)
“They began saying to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.”– Genesis 11:3 (NLT)
“And they said to one another, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used bricks for stone, and asphalt for mortar.”– Genesis 11:3 (MSG)
What Does Genesis 11:3 Mean?
To comprehend what Genesis 11:3 means, we need to set the scene of the Tower of Babel. The people of the earth, speaking one language, come together to build a city and a tower reaching to heaven. Their objective is to make a name for themselves lest they be scattered across the earth. This verse shows us how they planned to achieve their ambitious construction project.
Here, we see individuals expressing their mutual intent by saying ‘Come, let us make bricks…’ They demonstrate collaboration and shared vision. Their actions represent ambitions, aspirations, and perhaps a longing to reach heights that were never intended for humans. In an interesting twist, they created bricks for building materials. Instead of using natural stones, they manufactured bricks and used tar as mortar, showcasing their inventiveness and resourcefulness.
Genesis 11:3 Explanation and Commentary
This verse, seemingly straightforward, actually packs a lot of underlying meaning. The people are breaking barriers of nature by creating bricks, which point to a pivotal moment in human civilization. The process of making bricks meant they could construct buildings stronger and larger than ever before.
However, it’s important for us to see that this ingenuity is not always commendable. In their desire to reach the heavens, they were effectively saying, ‘We can be like God.’ This self-reliance and hubris will ultimately lead to their downfall. God had told humanity to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). Here, they sought to remain in one place, going against His command.
This tension between human ambition and divine will highlights an essential theme in the Bible. While God has endowed us with creativity and intelligence, we must remember to use it responsibly and not to seek glory for ourselves.
Finally, the whole tower and city would fail, showing that God is in control. He would not allow their prideful attempt to succeed, and as we read further in Genesis 11, He would confuse their language and scatter them across the earth.
Context of Genesis 11:3
The cultural and historical backdrop of Genesis 11 is crucial to understanding the implication of this verse. Having just experienced the flood found in Noah’s story, humanity was once again united as one. They shared the same language and wanted to build a life anew. Humans enjoyed the creative freedom God had given them, but they also embraced newfound opportunities to express their creativity.
In Genesis 11:1-2, the earth is described as having one language, and the people wanted to establish a city along with a tower. As we analyze their initiative further, they intended to create a monument to their accomplishments. Sadly, their desire revealed a stifling aspect of human nature: a need for validation and security through achievements rather than obedience to God.
This leads us to a critical understanding; it shows us the frailty of humanity. Our need for connection is genuine, but we must also recognize that we can lead each other astray when not centered on God’s will. Their intentions, while ambitious, were misguided. God intends for us to fulfill His calling in our lives, and not to derive purpose from how high we can build towers.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 11:3
When we break down the phrase “Come, let us make bricks,” we see themes of teamwork and community. They were determined to pool their resources to create something significant. What they probably saw as a demonstration of strength and unity was ironically a rebellion against God’s plan.
Using bricks rather than natural stones represented a new approach to building that showed innovation. This wasn’t just about physically constructing a tower; it was about humans trying to reach divine heights. The choice of using asphalt for mortar further indicates their desire to achieve breakthroughs in construction technology.
However, in their pursuit of independence and greatness, they lost sight of God’s objectives for them as a people. Instead of spreading out and filling the earth, they sought to create a centralized place where they would remain. This strikingly illustrates how our dreams and plans can sometimes go awry when they do not align with God’s intentions.
Lessons to Learn From Genesis 11:3
This verse imparts powerful lessons for us today as we navigate our personal ambitions and dreams. It’s natural for us to want to succeed, be acknowledged, and make our mark in the world. However, we need to remember that our endeavors should never be an act of rebellion against God.
One vital lesson is about community. While the people at Babel exemplify community, we must ask ourselves about the purpose of our community. Are we pulling together for righteousness, or are we pursuing self-serving ambitions? It encourages us to find purpose in God’s plan while working together. We are called to uplift each other toward His will, celebrating accomplishments that honor Him.
We are reminded not to let our creativity and innovations become sources of pride. Instead, we should submit our ideas and ambitions to God, allowing Him to guide us. Let’s not think we are above the need for God’s direction and wisdom.
This verse is also about humility. Although the people of Babel were skilled individuals making significant progress, their ultimate failure reminds us of the importance of remaining humble. When we pull together to achieve amazing things without God’s blessing, we may find fast success becoming short-lived or empty.
Final Thoughts
Genesis 11:3 serves as a reminder that while teamwork and ambition can foster creativity, we must always ensure that our hearts are aligned with God’s will. As we strive for success, it is vital to remember who leads us and who we ultimately serve. May we create our legacies, not for ourselves, but to glorify Him and fulfill His divine purpose.
If you wish to explore more topics in Genesis, check out Genesis 5:1 on the genealogy of Adam, or perhaps Genesis 12:5 which tells the story of Abram’s journey. Each section of the Bible enriches our understanding of life, faith, and obedience.