Confounding the Builders by Turning Their Speech Against Them

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 62:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: They said, even those people who are cut back do not repent, as it is said, "like a grape-gatherer over the baskets" (Jeremiah 6:9). "Come, let us go down and confound their language there" (Genesis 11:7). Rav Abba bar Kahana said: From their own speech I will make their downfall with them. One of them would say to his fellow, "Bring me water," and the other would bring him earth, so he would strike him and split open his skull. "Bring me a hatchet," and the other would bring him a shovel, so he would strike him and split open his skull.

Themes

BabelDivine Justice

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