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 (15[1])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 (10[1])which occurs at the end (10[1])of the primeval (-5[1])history, after the Table of Nations. Because this story is set in the “land of Shinar,” its ruler Nimrod is traditionally seen as having challenged God when “the whole earth had one language.” For 10 points, identify this story where the LORD prevented the construction of a building (10[1])“with its top in the heavens.” ■END■

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