The Tower of Babel

Artwork: Sheila Hamil

The Bible tells us that at one time the whole world had one language and a common speech. How did all this change?

Read Genesis 1.1-9 or listen to the song and find out.

Question for children:

How many different languages do you think are spoken in the world today?

(There are roughly 6,500 spoken languages in the world today. However, about 2,000 of those languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers.

The most popular language in the world is Mandarin Chinese. There are 1,213,000,000 people in the world that speak that language.)

Just imagine everyone in the world today speaking the same language; do you think the world would be a better place or a worse place if this was the case?
Why did God think it was a bad idea?

Can you speak any other languages? Which ones? Play the song again with percussion, and add your language at the end.

While the song is being played, invite children to build the highest possible tower, without it collapsing, using building blocks or Jenga blocks. Invite discussion as to which will be the sturdiest.
(The one with the strongest and deepest base or foundations)

4 The Tower of Babel: Genesis 1. 1 -9

(to the tune ‘Three Blind Mice’)

Babel tower

Hour by hour

Grew so very high

Right up to the sky.

It had been built to a giddy height

With bricks and mortar, just look at the sight

Did ever you see such a thing in your life

As Babel Tower.

The Lord came down

Builders all around.

Watched them scurrying by

Looked them in the eye, (said)

All these people all speak as one

There’s no end to what can be done

We must confuse them, with separate tongues

This very hour!

These Babel fools

all downed tools.

They all said ‘Good-bye’

Adios, Au ‘voir, ‘Addi’

Just when you thought it would get no worse

(It wasn’t as if they had all rehearsed!)

They scattered from there all across the earth,

By God’s own power.

Build some towers of your own, using all kinds of different materials.

Make a note of the best materials for the job.