1.
Noah, then Babel:
Chapters 18 and 19 of Navigating Genesis
Genesis 10-11
Mark Tabladillo Ph.D.
June 26, 2014

2.
Conclusion
Scientific 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.

3.
Scientific Approach
Make 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)

4.
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

5.
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.

6.
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.

7.
200 Alternative Flood Stories
Gilgamesh Epic (Babylonian flood story) Comes Closest
Similarities Large multideck ship sealed with pitch or tar
Like Noah, Utnapishtim boards the ark with his whole family
The flood destroys all humanity except those on board
Waters come from a furious rainstorm
Differences Ship was cubical (200 feet cubed) and unstable
Rain lasts six days
Saved all the kinsmen, all the cattle and beasts of the field and seeds of all living things
The gods destroy mankind for no apparent reason
Once 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

8.
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.

9.
Miscegenation

10.
Shem
Ham
Japheth

11.
An Example Citation
Shem: 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.

12.
Logos Deluxe Map Set

13.
Shem
Ham
Japheth

14.
?

15.
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.

16.
Divided
6385‫ַג‬‫ל‬ָּ‫פ‬[ 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.

17.
What Divided could mean
83 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 ‫ָּג‬‫ל‬ָּ‫פ‬( 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.

18.
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.

19.
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.

20.
What Divided could mean
An 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.

21.
Peace and Unity
8 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.

22.
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.”

23.
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.

24.
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

25.
North Korea?
So: What are the world’s largest empires (by population, then by area)?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires

26.
British Empire: Anachronous Map
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires

27.
http://top10hitsinfo.blogspot.com/2013/03/top-10-highest-population-countries-in.html

28.
“For the advancement of the public good and the glory of Almighty God”

29.
!

30.
Conclusion
Scientific 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.