In the account of the Tower of Babel found in Genesis 11, the term "slime" is mentioned as a material used in the construction of the tower. The Berean Standard Bible translates this term as "tar." Genesis 11:3 states, "They said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.' So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar."

Historical and Cultural Context

The Tower of Babel narrative is set in the land of Shinar, which is often identified with ancient Mesopotamia, a region known for its lack of natural stone resources. Consequently, the inhabitants of Babel resorted to using bricks and tar for construction. The use of tar, or bitumen, was a practical choice given the geographical context. Bitumen is a naturally occurring, sticky, black substance that was abundant in the Mesopotamian region, particularly around the Dead Sea and other areas rich in petroleum deposits.

Construction Techniques

The choice of materials—bricks and tar—reflects the technological innovations of the time. Bricks were made by molding clay and then baking it thoroughly, a process that made them durable and suitable for large-scale construction. The tar served as a binding agent, functioning similarly to modern mortar, to hold the bricks together. This method of construction was advanced for its time and allowed for the building of large and ambitious structures, such as the Tower of Babel.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The use of tar in the construction of the Tower of Babel carries symbolic weight within the narrative. The tower itself represents human ambition and the desire to reach the heavens, a direct challenge to divine authority. The choice of materials, while practical, also underscores the human effort to create something enduring and monumental without reliance on God. The use of tar, a man-made binding agent, symbolizes humanity's attempt to achieve unity and strength through their own means, rather than through obedience to God.

Biblical Interpretation

From a conservative Christian perspective, the account of the Tower of Babel, including the use of slime or tar, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and self-reliance. The narrative illustrates the futility of human endeavors that seek to elevate humanity above its Creator. The confusion of languages and the subsequent scattering of people across the earth (Genesis 11:7-9) are seen as divine responses to human hubris, emphasizing the sovereignty of God over human affairs.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological findings in Mesopotamia have confirmed the use of bitumen in ancient construction. Excavations have uncovered structures where bitumen was used as a waterproofing agent and as mortar. These findings provide historical credibility to the biblical account and offer insight into the technological capabilities of ancient civilizations in the region.

In summary, the use of slime, or tar, in the construction of the Tower of Babel is a significant detail that highlights the ingenuity and ambition of early human societies, while also serving as a theological symbol of humanity's misplaced reliance on its own strength and wisdom.Genesis 11:3
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
Nave's Topical Index

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... which comes out of the Old Testament is there sometimes used to indicate a ... Here is
Babel, with its half-finished tower, built on slime; and there is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a christlike judgment of men.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... The tower of Babel narrative. ... years; and in Ezek.4:6, we learn that a day is often
used to represent ... And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... was already occupied by a people of a different race, who used a language ... may recognise,
in the vaguely defined Singar, Assur, Arrapkha, and Babel, states that ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... have been made, what blood hath been shed, what cruelty hath been used, and what ...
is the river Euphrates, that which was the face of the kingdom of Babel of old ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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