بابل

Core meaning

Proper noun of a place. The text makes it the place where something was sent down upon two kings, Harut and Marut; the translation writes "Babel".

Uses

1. بَابِل → "Babel" : the place where what the Diverters teach along with illusion comes down upon two kings.

   • «وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَٰرُوتَ وَمَٰرُوتَ» — "what was sent down upon the two kings at Babel, Harut and Marut" (2:102)

Evidence from the text

The single use, in 2:102, sets a scene: the Diverters teach people illusion, and with it what was sent down upon two kings. The name qualifies nothing else: it anchors in a place a knowledge received by two kings.

The rest of the verse states the function of this knowledge: the two taught nothing without first warning that they were only a trial. Babel is thus the place of a trial through knowledge, not that of a knowledge evil in itself.

See also

هاروت (Harut) · ماروت (Marut) · ملك (the two kings) · سحر (illusion)