Babel: The Babylonians saw their city as the home or gateway of the gods. The double meaning at the end of this story shows Babylon's spiritual confusion.
Babylon became important under Nimrod (10:10) and later in biblical history (see 2 Kings 25:1–30). Its role as a center of pride and idol worship makes it a symbol for the forces opposed to God in the end times (for example, Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 18:2).
The tower builders gathered together in one place to reach up into God’s realm (God’s dwelling place; Genesis 11:3–4). God came down and scattered them across the earth. In this way, he stopped their idolatrous ambition (their desire to act against him and seek their own glory).