Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. Let us make brick] It appears they were obliged to make use of brick, as there was an utter scarcity of stones in that district; and on the same account they were obliged to use slime, that is, bitumen, (Vulg.) asfaltov, (Septuagint) for mortar: so it appears they had neither common stone nor lime-stone; hence they had brick for stone, and asphaltus or bitumen instead of mortar.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - How soon men forget the most tremendous judgments, and go back to their former crimes! Though the desolations of the deluge were before their eyes, though they sprang from the stock of righteous Noah, yet eve during his life-time, wickedness increases exceedingly. Nothing but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit can remove the sinful lusts of the human will, and the depravity of the human heart. God's purpose was that mankind should form many nations, and people all lands. I contempt of the Divine will, and against the counsel of Noah, the bul of mankind united to build a city and a tower to prevent their separating. Idolatry was begun, and Babel became one of its chie seats. They made one another more daring and resolute. Let us learn to provoke one another to love and to good works, as sinners stir up an encourage one another to wicked works.
Original Hebrew ויאמרו559 אישׁ376 אל413 רעהו7453 הבה3051 נלבנה3835 לבנים3843 ונשׂרפה8313 לשׂרפה8316 ותהי1961 להם הלבנה3843 לאבן68 והחמר2564 היה1961 להם לחמר׃2563
