Extra-Biblical Writings Support the Bible’s History

Genesis 11:8
“So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.”

Many people today tend to dismiss the early chapters of Genesis as legend rather than history. However, if the Bible’s story of the Flood and the Tower of Babel are not history there are some established historical facts that have no explanation.

According to the Bible, after the great Flood, people multiplied but failed to scatter over the face of the earth as commanded by God. Having one language, most of the people stayed in one location and built a great city. It was not until God confused their language that they scattered across the earth. If these events did not take place, how do we explain the fact that a 6th century B.C. Chinese writer describes the ultimate God Who created all things in much the same way as an ancient Egyptian writer? And why would these descriptions match 8th century B.C. Greek writings? While it is true that each of these cultures had their unique gods, their ancient writings about the Creator use special language. Lao-tzu was an 8th century B.C. writer who described the ultimate God as eternal and self-existing. Likewise, an ancient Egyptian writer described the ultimate God as the source of everything in the heavens and on earth as well as all life.

If man was not once of one culture and language, how did all these ancient writers each get the same story to tell? The similarities between these descriptions and those of other cultures bear witness to the historicity of even the earliest parts of Genesis.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your saving Word that tells of my salvation. Amen.

Notes: After the Flood, pp. 16-19. Painting: Tower of Babel by Lucas van Valckenborch, 1594, Louvre Museum. (PD)