Genesis 11:3 Meaning: Bricks and Bitumen in the Story of Babel
They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
and they say each one to his neighbour, `Give help, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly:' and the brick is to them for stone, and the bitumen hath been to them for mortar.
And they said one to another, Come on, let us make bricks, and burn [them] thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Genesis 11:3 mention bricks and tar? This verse shows human cooperation and industry, but in context, it reveals the pride behind the Tower of Babel.
Context
This verse sits at the beginning of the Tower of Babel story, shortly after the flood. The whole earth spoke one language. As people traveled east, they found a broad plain in Shinar and settled there. On that plain, stone was scarce, so they had to make their own building materials. The verse describes their preparation: making bricks and using bitumen for mortar. This detail is not accidental. It sets the stage for their grand project: a city and a tower reaching to the sky, built to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered. Their industry and teamwork are striking, but so is the motive behind them.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for brick is levenah, something formed from clay and then hardened. In the plain of Shinar, there was no natural stone (even), so they had to manufacture their own. The phrase burn them thoroughly doubles down on the effort: the verb saraph means to burn or fire, and the noun serephah intensifies it, they baked the bricks until they were as hard as stone. This was extra labor, not the sun-drying that was common. And chemar (bitumen) was a sticky, black pitch from the region, used here as mortar. The same word appears later in the valley of Siddim, full of tar pits (Genesis 14:10). These materials show human ingenuity, but also the lengths people will go to when they are determined to build something on their own terms.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have noticed the tension here. Many commentators, like Matthew Henry, point out that the people worked hard with what they had, but their aim was to resist God's command to fill the earth. Calvin stressed that they did not let difficulty stop them, they burned bricks and used pitch, which made their rebellion even more deliberate. On the other hand, some readers see this verse as simply describing the practical reality of building in Mesopotamia, where brick and bitumen were standard. The Cambridge Bible notes that the story is told from an Israelite perspective, where stone and lime mortar were normal. Both views can be honored: the work itself is not wrong, but the heart behind it matters deeply.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
Think about the projects you put your energy into this week. Maybe you are building something at work, at home, or in your community. The materials and methods are neutral, bricks, tar, spreadsheets, emails. What matters is why you build. Are you trying to make a name for yourself, to feel secure, to prove something? Or are you working in obedience to God, trusting Him with the outcome? This verse invites you to pause before your next big effort and ask: Who is this for? The answer shapes everything.
Main takeaway: The work of our hands can serve either pride or obedience, and God sees the motive behind every brick we lay.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Can you build a tower with blocks? The people in this story built a tower, but they did it to show how great they were, not to thank God. God saw their hearts.
For ages 9, 12
The people in Shinar had no stones, so they made bricks and used sticky tar for mortar. They worked together and built a tall tower. But they did it because they wanted to be famous and stay together instead of obeying God's command to spread out. Their project showed hard work, but also pride. God wants us to use our skills for Him, not just for ourselves.
Questions People Ask
Why did they use bricks instead of stone in Genesis 11:3?
The plain of Shinar had no natural stone, so the people made bricks from clay and baked them hard. This was practical: they used what the land provided. The verse highlights their resourcefulness, but also their determination to build anyway, despite the lack of good materials.
What is 'slime' in the KJV of Genesis 11:3?
The KJV calls it 'slime.' It is actually bitumen, a natural asphalt or pitch that comes up from the ground. In the ancient Near East, bitumen was used as mortar to hold bricks together. It is the same material mentioned in Genesis 14:10, where the valley of Siddim had tar pits.
Is it wrong to build things or work hard, based on this verse?
No. The verse does not condemn building or hard work itself. The problem was the motive: they wanted to make a name for themselves and avoid scattering as God commanded. Christians believe we can build and work to God's glory, using our skills to serve others and honor Him.
Does Genesis 11:3 show that the Tower of Babel was made of brick?
Yes. The people made bricks and used bitumen for mortar. Ancient Babylonian ruins show that brick and bitumen were common building materials. The tower itself was likely a ziggurat, a stepped temple tower made of baked bricks.
For pastors & researchers
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