Genesis 11:4
French (La Bible expliquée)
Puis ils se dirent: « Allons! Au travail pour bâtir une ville, avec une tour dont le sommet touche au ciel! Ainsi nous deviendrons célèbres, et nous éviterons d'être dispersés sur toute la surface de la terre. » La propagation du mal se trouve désormais amplifiée aux dimensions d'une entreprise collective. Les hommes construisent une tour pour s'assurer l'accès au ciel, donc la réalisation de leur vieux rêve: devenir les égaux de Dieu (3.5), et se rendre célèbres par un exploit technique et religieux. Ils veulent ainsi se fabriquer leur propre identité, et se coaliser dans un même désir de puissance. Ce projet menace de niveler la diversité et la liberté des peuples et des cultures, soulignées au chapitre précédent. Dieu met fin à ce rêve fou et dangereux. Le nom de Babel est proche du verbe hébreu signifiant « mettre le désordre ». En fait, Babel (Babylone) signifie « Porte du dieu », mais l'auteur biblique préfère l'idée de dispersion et de diversification.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, the people of Babel decide to build a city and a tower that reaches the sky. They want to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth. The key message is about human pride and the desire to be like God.
Explained for Children
Imagine you and your friends decide to build the tallest treehouse ever, so high that it touches the clouds, because you want everyone to know how great you are. That's what the people were doing in this story, but they were trying to make a tower instead of a treehouse.
Historical Background
The book of Genesis was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC. It was written to the Israelites, who were about to enter the Promised Land. This story reflects the early human tendency to seek unity and power apart from God, a concept deeply rooted in ancient Mesopotamian cultures.
Living It Out Today
In a modern context, imagine a tech startup aiming to dominate the market by building the world's tallest skyscraper to house its headquarters. This ambition mirrors the people of Babel, showing how human pride can lead to projects that seek glory and power over cooperation and humility.
Topics
prideunityhuman ambitiondivine interventioncommunityidentity
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main reason the people wanted to build the tower?
The people wanted to build the tower to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth, showing their desire for unity and recognition.
How does this verse relate to human pride?
The verse highlights human pride by showing how the people's desire to be like God and achieve great things without His guidance led to their downfall.
What does this story teach about community?
This story teaches that unity without a common good or divine guidance can lead to destruction and dispersion, suggesting the importance of humility and shared purpose.
How does this relate to modern business ventures?
Modern business ventures can sometimes mirror the pride and ambition seen in this story, where companies strive for dominance and recognition without considering the broader impact or ethical implications.