Did God destroy the tower of Babel for punishment?

Stairway to Nowhere

God is happy to see people unite and approach Him, but the Tower-builders were wrong about thinking that stacking stones (literally 'works') together would get them closer to heaven.

Their goal was good, their effort folly. God destroyed the effort and introduces variety of speech. Soon after, Abram is called and is promised blessing for all nations. Jesus becomes that which the Tower-builders were after: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." — John 12:32.

The word commonly translated with 'confuse' (confused their language) is the verb balal, which occurs close to 80 times in Scriptures, always denoting a holy ritual in which oil is poured over grain after which the grain is stirred. So doing, every kernel of grain is anointed.