History of Man: Beginnings of Civilization part 3

How were dates for the dispersion at Babel estimated?

In our timeline, we have used an approximate date for the dispersion from Babel of 2200 BC.  How is that date derived?  A lot of factors go into the establishment of that date.

1.  In Genesis 10:25, we see that the division of mankind took place in the lifetime of Peleg.  We have already established that Peleg lived from 2418 to 2179 BC. 

2.  From the descendants names listed in Genesis 10, who were the leaders of the various groups that were dispersed from Babel, it appears that some in the generation below Peleg (contemporary with his son, Reu) were leaders of people groups.  Therefore, the dispersion could not be early in the life of Peleg or even early in the life of his son Reu.  It would have to have occurred at a time when those in Reu’s generation were old enough to be leaders. 

3.  Ancient witnesses give us dates for the beginnings of some early civilizations that are surprisingly close to each other.  Secular historians consider these dates to be grossly in error, because of their presuppositions of long ages for man, that man went from primitive to advanced over those long periods of time, among others.  Babylon, in Sumer, is the only civilization in existence before the dispersion from the Tower of Babel.  All the other civilizations began after that time.  Our last post covered these witnesses.

4.  The book of Jubilees (holy to Jews, considered pseudopigrapha to Christians) records the building of the tower for 43 years.  It also records the size of the tower…with measurements converted from cubits and stadia, it would be 8450 feet square, and had been built to 8150 feet high when abandoned.  The size of the sun-baked bricks would be 13 feet thick and 42 feet wide.  Quite an undertaking!  We talked about the tower itself a couple of posts back.

5.  Population figures dramatically into this estimate.  If one were to use an early date (perhaps 2375 BC), then the population figures, using the chart below would only be about 666,000.  Divided into the approximately 50 groups that were dispersed, each would be only about 13,000 people.  Whereas, a later date of 2200 BC gives a potential population of at least 666,000,000 people, or about 13 million people per group of 50.  (these are maximum potential population counts)  Jewish writings place the dispersion from Babel in 2179 BC.

 

6.  Finally, we notice a dramatic decrease in the lifespan of the patriarchs and 4 generations dying off in a short period of time right about 2200 BC.  The dispersion would be a physically stressful event that could have precipitated the shortened lifetimes.

Please realize that the choice of the date of the dispersion from Babel is based mostly on logic.  A definitive date cannot be established beyond question.