This word is, what it is designed to be, babel, or confusion. And our English language; in the strong term of bablers, has very happily borrowed from the Scripture babel or babbel, to express confusion. It were unnecessary for me to add, that Babel was the name given to the tower which the impiety of men began to build after the deluge. (Genesis 11:9) And here also was the foundation of that city of Babylon laid, which in after ages became the confusion and sorrow of the church during the seventy years' desolation. (Genesis 10:10) And to go farther still, mystical Babylon, in the error and follies by which it is distinguished, may well retain the name, as the Scriptures have given it, for nothing but confusion is in it, and in confusion must it end. (Revelation 17:5 and Revelation 18:1-24 throughout.)
I cannot forbear adding one short, but I hope not unprofitable observation, by way of noting the wonderful grace and overruling power of God. By the confusion at Babel, in a diversity of tongues, and which ever since hath distinguished nations; the Lord rendered that miracle at Pentecost, of his poor servants speaking in every language then under heaven in a moment, and with the greatest fluency, a full proof of "the Lord speaking in them, and by them." But for this diversity of language the glory of this miracle would have been wanting; since, had all nations, as before the confusion at the tower of Babel they did, spoken but one language; the disciples of Jesus would have needed the use of no other. But by this punishment in the plains of Shinar, the Lord laid the foundation of his own glory and his servants' honour; and the wonderful conversion of souls, at that season of Pentecost, demonstrated both the power of God, and the wisdom of God, in confirmation of the faith.