Noah, then Babel:Chapters 18 and 19 of Navigating GenesisGenesis 10-11Mark Tabladillo Ph.D.

June 26, 2014

ConclusionScientific research has provided a burgeoning body of evidence that corresponds with and affirms the accuracy of the Bible’s first eleven chapters.

We need not fear what future scientific advance will bring to light.

The majority of Christian scholars reject this demonstrable correspondence and virtually all attempts at integration.

Scientific ApproachMake a reasonable case for possible historical explanations of Genesis stories based on established scientific evidence.

Proposed Timescale

Noah (about 30,000 to 50,000 years ago)

Tower of Babel (about 11,000 to 40,000 years ago)

Abraham (about 4,000 years ago)

30000

11000

4000

50000

40000

4000

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

Noah Tower of Babel Abraham

Proposed Timescale in Years Ago

Minimum Maximum

The ark had a ratio (length × width ×height) of 30 × 5 × 3. According to modern shipbuilders, this ratio represents an advanced knowledge of shipbuilding since it is the optimum design for stability in rough seas. The ark, as designed by God, was virtually impossible to capsize—to do so, it would have to be tilted over 90 degrees.

Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 9). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.

Modern Mount Ararat, however, is neither excluded nor specifically identified in the Scriptures as the resting place of the ark. The phrase, “came to rest on the mountains of Ararat,” places it in the range of mountains in which Ararat is located. It’s not wrong to attempt to discover the location of the ark, or whatever remains of it, but the truth of Noah’s Flood doesn’t depend upon locating the ark or its remains. The Scriptures are sufficient evidence in themselves.

Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 14). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.

200 Alternative Flood StoriesGilgamesh Epic (Babylonian flood story) Comes Closest

Similarities Large multideck ship sealed with pitch or tarLike Noah, Utnapishtim boards the ark with his whole familyThe flood destroys all humanity except those on boardWaters come from a furious rainstorm

Differences Ship was cubical (200 feet cubed) and unstableRain lasts six daysSaved all the kinsmen, all the cattle and beasts of the field and seeds of all living thingsThe gods destroy mankind for no apparent reasonOnce the floods, start, “the gods flee in terror to the upper reaches of heaven, where they crouch in fear like traumatized dogs”Flood ends in hours

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version (Ge 5:620). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Miscegenation

Shem

Ham

Japheth

An Example CitationShem: The Semitic peoples—Jews, Arabs, Babylonians, Assyrians, Arameans, Phoenicians.

Ham: The Hamitic peoples—Ethiopians, Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, possibly the African and Oriental peoples, though many scholars view the Orientals as Japhetic.

Japheth: The Japhetic peoples—the Medes, Greeks, Cypriots, etc. Probably the Caucasian people of Europe and of northern Asia. Many scholars would also include the Orientals here.

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 45). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Logos Deluxe Map Set

Shem

Ham

Japheth

?

Genesis 10:25

25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ge 10:25). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Divided

לג 6385 ]פ palag /paw·lag/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 1769; GK 7103; Four occurrences; AV translates as “divide” four times. 1 to divide, split. 1A (Niphal) to be split, be divided. 1B (Piel). 1B1 to split, cleave. 1B2 to divide.

Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

What Divided could mean83 tn The expression “the earth was divided” may refer to dividing the land with canals, but more likely it anticipates the division of languages at Babel (Gen 11). The verb ג ל )פ palag, “separate, divide”) is used in Ps 55:9 for a division of languages.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ge 10:25). Biblical Studies Press.

What Divided could mean“The earth was divided” in Peleg’s time (10:25). This may mean that the Semitic groups were divided into two branches.

Burge, G. M., & Hill, A. E. (Eds.). (2012). The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary (p. 21). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

What Divided could mean“for in his days the earth was divided” The Hebrew term literally means “irrigation canals” which would fit southern Mesopotamia, but the popular etymology is “divisions” (BDB 811, KB 928, Niphal PERFECT). There is a sound play between Peleg and divided (niplega). This may to refer to the dividing of the languages mentioned in chapter 11.

Utley, R. J. (2001). How it All Began: Genesis 1–11 (Vol. Vol. 1A, p. 123). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

What Divided could meanAn important note is attached to Peleg in the fifth generation: “In his days the earth was divided” (10:25). Four views of this cryptic note have found supporters. The dividing of the earth may have been (1) a dispersion prior to the dispersion at the tower of Babel; (2) the mapping of the earth by an ancient cartographer; (3) the parting of the continents which once were one large land mass; and (4) the dispersion at Babel. The latter interpretation is decidedly the best.

Smith, J. E. (1993). The Pentateuch (2nd ed., Ge 10:1–32). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

Peace and Unity8 The way of peace they do not know,

and there is no justice in their paths;

they have made their roads crooked;

no one who treads on them knows peace.

9 Therefore justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not overtake us;

we hope for light, and behold, darkness,

and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Is 59:8–9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Claims about Unity Futility“Eliminating national boundaries and uniting nations under a global banner may seem the best way to establish world peace and unity; however it would eliminate competition for citizens and corporations…

If only one nation exists, that nation could – and would, under any leadership other than Christ’s – oppress its citizens and corporations.”

Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ge 10:8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Since the 3rd millennium

BCE, towers in form of a

terraced pyramid, so called

ziggurats, were constructed

in Babylon and at other

places in Mesopotamia.

Temples were built on the

upper platform. The Tower

of Babel was about 90 m

high, and it was called

Etemenanki (“House

between Heaven and

Earth”).

Gen 11:1–9

1000 Bible Images: Logos

North Korea?So: What are the world’s largest empires (by population, then by area)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires

British Empire: Anachronous Map

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires

http://top10hitsinfo.blogspot.com/2013/03/top-10-highest-population-countries-in.html

“For the advancement of the public good and the glory of Almighty God”

!

ConclusionScientific research has provided a burgeoning body of evidence that corresponds with and affirms the accuracy of the Bible’s first eleven chapters.

We need not fear what future scientific advance will bring to light.

The majority of Christian scholars reject this demonstrable correspondence and virtually all attempts at integration.