History of Israel and the Jewish People

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Tower of Babel

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Hebrew year: 1996 (א׳תתקצ״ו)

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The Tower of Babel, painting by Lucas van Valckenborch, 1594.
The Tower of Babel, painting by Lucas van Valckenborch, 1594. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The Tower of Babel story explains how humanity, once united by one language, attempted to build a city and tower to make a name for themselves. God confused their language and scattered them across the earth. From a Jewish perspective, the story represents human arrogance, misuse of unity, and rebellion against the divine purpose of spreading through the world. It also explains the origin of different languages and nations, setting the stage for the later calling of Abraham.

Hebrew year
1996 (א׳תתקצ״ו)
Place
Babylon
Category
Major events
Part of
Primeval History

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