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Line 1: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − The Tower of Babel account provides an explanation to fundamental mysteries that [[atheistic]] science has been unable to solve: '''''the different languages today that lack a common origin, and the immense diversity in ethnicity'''''. Line 16:
Line 30: − ==Etymology== − ===in Hebrew=== − In the Hebrew, בָּבֶל, '''''bāḇel''''' which occurs in {{bible ref|Genesis|11|1-9}} is ''transliterated'' directly as "'''Babel'''", but while the word occurs many times thereafter in the [[Old Testament]], it is always ''translated'' in every other successive account as "'''Babylon'''". The question that now remains is if the place name came to take a reduplicate form of the word for 'confusion' (בָּלַל, '''''bālal''''', “'''to confuse''',” "'''mix'''", "'''mingle''',”) or if 'confusion' took on a reduplicated derivative of 'Babylon'? In answer to this question, Genesis 11:9<ref>Genesis 11:9, https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/gen/11/1/t_conc_11009</ref> does indicate that the place was named after the existing vocabulary for 'mixing', בָּלַל, ''bālal'' as a play on the existing place name. − − It must also be noted that the common English term of 'The Tower of Babel' does not ever appear as such in the [[Genesis|Book of Genesis]]. ''But if it did'', the term of '''''Tower''''', in [[Hebrew]] of מגדל, ''mighdal'', translates most directly as '''''Watchtower'''''. If one adds ''the definite article'' of ''the'' in front of ''mighdal'' (without context), the most natural translation would be a reference to the most significant occurrence: namely that of the '''Tower of Babel'''. − − ===in Babylonian=== − It must be noted that in Babylonia the folk-etymology knew the place as '''''Bâb-îli''''' (''-îlāni''), ''''gate of god'''' or ''''of the gods''''; sharing the same meaning as the Sumero-Akkadian form ''Ka-dingira''. It is however noteworthy, that one of the forms used by [[Nebuchadrezzar II]] is ''Babilam'', which manifests the classic Babylonian linguistic mimmation of placing an 'm' sound at the end of words. Moreover, a place-name ''Babalam'' also occurs, which may be a still earlier, and possibly the original, form. Notwithstanding that one would like to see in ''Babalam'', “the place of bringing together,” and in ''Babilam'', “the bringer together,” the termination ''-am'' would seem to be an insurmountable difficulty.
Reworked introduction, add reference, qualify assertions
[[Image:Brueghel-tower-of-babel.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''The Tower of Babel'' by [[Pieter Bruegel the Elder]], 1563.]]
[[Image:Brueghel-tower-of-babel.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''The Tower of Babel'' by [[Pieter Bruegel the Elder]], 1563.]]
The '''Tower of Babel''' (Hebrew: מגדל, ''mighdal'', 'tower'; בָּבֶל, ''bāḇel'', Babel) was the tallest brick building ever constructed in recorded history. Built in the ziggurat style it was later repurposed to be the Temple of Bel or Marduk in Babylon. Multiple religious persuasions teach that the tower was built by the descendants of Noah shortly after the [[Great Flood|Flood]] as in {{bible ref|Genesis|11|1-9}}, so that its "top may reach unto heaven."
The '''Tower of Babel''' (Hebrew: מגדל, ''mighdal'', 'tower'; בָּבֶל, ''bāḇel'', Babel) was the tallest brick building ever constructed in recorded history; which according to [[Josephus]] was initiated by [[Nimrod]].<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', 1.4.2</ref> Built in the [[ziggurat]] style it was later repurposed to be the Temple of [[Marduk]], the father of the gods in [[Babylon]]. Multiple religious persuasions teach that the tower was built by the descendants of Noah relatively shortly after the [[Great Flood|Flood]] as in {{bible ref|Genesis|11|1-9}}, so that its "top may reach unto heaven."
It is commonly asserted by adherents to the [[Genesis]] account, that the ''Tower of Babel'' story provides an explanation to fundamental mysteries that [[atheistic]] science has been unable to solve, namely:
* the different languages today that lack a common origin, and
* the immense diversity in ethnicity.
==Etymology==
===in Hebrew===
In the Hebrew, בָּבֶל, '''''bāḇel''''' which occurs in {{bible ref|Genesis|11|1-9}} is ''transliterated'' directly as "'''Babel'''", but while the word occurs many times thereafter in the [[Old Testament]], it is always ''translated'' in every other successive account as "'''Babylon'''". The question that now remains is if the place name came to take a reduplicate form of the word for 'confusion' (בָּלַל, '''''bālal''''', “'''to confuse''',” "'''mix'''", "'''mingle''',”) or if 'confusion' took on a reduplicated derivative of 'Babylon'? In answer to this question, Genesis 11:9<ref>Genesis 11:9, https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/gen/11/1/t_conc_11009</ref> does indicate that the place was named after the existing vocabulary for 'mixing', בָּלַל, ''bālal'' as a play on the existing place name.
It must also be noted that the common English term of 'The Tower of Babel' does not ever appear as such in the [[Genesis|Book of Genesis]]. ''But if it did'', the term of '''''Tower''''', in [[Hebrew]] of מגדל, ''mighdal'', translates most directly as '''''Watchtower'''''. If one adds ''the definite article'' of ''the'' in front of ''mighdal'' (without context), the most natural translation would be a reference to the most significant occurrence: namely that of the '''Tower of Babel'''.
===in Babylonian===
It must be noted that in Babylonia the folk-etymology knew the place as '''''Bâb-îli''''' (''-îlāni''), ''''gate of god'''' or ''''of the gods''''; sharing the same meaning as the Sumero-Akkadian form ''Ka-dingira''. It is however noteworthy, that one of the forms used by [[Nebuchadrezzar II]] is ''Babilam'', which manifests the classic Babylonian linguistic mimmation of placing an 'm' sound at the end of words. Moreover, a place-name ''Babalam'' also occurs, which may be a still earlier, and possibly the original, form. Notwithstanding that one would like to see in ''Babalam'', “the place of bringing together,” and in ''Babilam'', “the bringer together,” the termination ''-am'' would seem to be an insurmountable difficulty.
==Biblical account==
==Biblical account==
:''Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confuse the language of all the earth: and from there did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:1-9, King James Version)''
:''Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confuse the language of all the earth: and from there did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:1-9, King James Version)''
==General Form of Babylonian Temple-Towers==
==General Form of Babylonian Temple-Towers==