The Tower of Babel myth is a fascinating story from the Book of Genesis that has captured people’s imaginations for generations. The story talks of an ambitious human endeavor to construct a lofty structure that will reach the heavens. In today’s post, we’ll look at the biblical story of the Tower of Babel and the intriguing question: How tall was the Tower of Babel?
How tall was the tower of babel?
The Book of Genesis does not specify the tower of babel height; the term “its top in the sky” was a metaphor indicating great height, not arrogance. According to the Book of Jubilees:
“The height of tower of babelt is 5,433 cubits and 2 palms, or 2,484 m (8,150 ft), which is about three times the height of the Burj Khalifa, or approximately 1.6 miles”
What Did the Tower of Babel Look Like?
The Tower of Babel was most likely a ziggurat construction built by the people of Shinar (historians have yet to determine the exact site of Shinar).
A ziggurat, a pyramid-like edifice composed of mudbrick, was frequently associated with pagan faiths such as Babylonia and Marduk. Although Marduk did not gain prominence until the 1800s BC (and Answers In Genesis dates the Tower of Babel’s construction to the 2200s BC), ziggurat buildings began before 3,000 BC, long before the Tower of Babel was built.
Where Was the Tower of Babel Located?
Although we don’t have specific coordinates, we can infer that the Tower of Babel was built in what became known as Babylon in 586 BC. In modern terms, the most likely location is Iraq. Given the Ziggurat-shaped building, this makes sense, as similar constructions were being erected in the area at the same time.
Babylon was slightly different at the time of construction than it would be centuries later. Even then, the city was depraved and in ruins. It’s no surprise that Babylon is mentioned so negatively in the Bible by the end of Revelation.
Babylon is frequently mentioned in the Bible’s story. First, mankind rebels against God shortly after the Flood. God instructed humans to disperse throughout the globe, but they remained put and, in rebellion, built a tower to reach the heavens (more on this later). Also, Babylon destroys Jerusalem in the sixth century BC and shows up in Revelation as the Whore of Babylon. Just as Samson’s strength was misused in rebellion, Babylon’s power too was driven by defiance against God.
