Round 3: Tossup 20

Description acceptable. Martin Buber argued that Zephaniah 3 alludes to this passage by repeating “leading words” from it like safah and potz. A midrash on this story describes a statue wielding a sword in its hand. A word in this passage may play on an Akkadian name meaning “gate of the gods.” Because the Hebrew for name is shem, this passage’s invocation, “Let us make a name for ourselves” contrasts with Shem’s genealogy directly following it. The (*) Etemenanki may have inspired this story which occurs at the end (10[1])of the primeval history, after the Table (10[1]-5[1])of Nations. Because this story is set in the “land of Shinar,” its ruler Nimrod is traditionally seen (10[1])as having challenged God when (10[1])“the whole earth had one language.” (10[1])For 10 points, identify this story where the LORD prevented the construction of a building “with its top in the heavens.” ■END■ (10[1])

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