Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/115

 TJic

Tower of Babel

97

NOTES V.

"From

2.

the

cast",

is

a very obscure expression, the exact

meaning of which can not be determined. It seems to imply that the starting-point of the migration was not Ararat, but rather Eden, Cf. which, according to II, 8, was situated in the extreme east. the note to Sliinar,

V.

3.

III,

24.

an ancient name for the Mesopotamian valley. In this valley stone suitable for building purposes

is

very

consequence bricks, made of clay, and usually burned, have always been used, even in the construction of the most magnifiAsphalt or cent structures of the ancient Babylonian empire. bitumen, which is very plentiful in that region, was quite commonly This is what is meant by used for mortar in such construction. In

scarce.

"slime."

V. 4. It is frequently claimed that the reason for building the tower was that the people might have a place to which to flee, should God ever bring another flood. Actually there is no such implication in the Biblical story. There the purpose is clearly "stated to have been to enable the people to make a name for themselves, and also to prevent their being scattered over the earth. Just how the latter purpose

would be served it

of

is

is

refuge

in

However, if the teacher so wishes, read the idea of the tower as a place

not stated.

perfectly legitimate

case of

to

another flood, into the story, and then, per-

thought that despite the people's fear and and always keeps. His promise, even though the people had become quite as wicked as those who lived before the In marked contrast to the faithfulness of God, in not bringflood.

haps,

from

distrust,

this point the

God

kept,

ing another flood, although the people, perhaps,

merited

it,

but

in-

preparing to make Israel His servant for the redemption of the rest of mankind, the people themselves had forgotten, or come to distrust God's promise, and had perverted His way and acted The thoughts of God's faithfaithlessly and sinned against Him. stead

and the mercy which tempers His absolute justice, are fundamental in Judaism and can not be brought out too clearly and strongh'. This story lends itself admirably to this purpose, particularly when it is contrasted wnth fhe picture of God's just punishment fulness,

in the flood

story.

V. 4. The idea of a tower with its top in heaven was probably These based upon acquaintance with ancient Babylonian temples. were generally built in the form of immense pyramid or step towers.

They must have frequently reached a height of from two to three hundred feet. To the nomad of the Arabian Desert, accustomed