Lexical Summary Nimrod: Nimrod Original Word: נִמְרוֹד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nimrod Or Nimrod {nim-rode'}; probably of foreign origin; Nimrod, a son of Cush -- Nimrod. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition a son of Cush and founder of the Bab. kingdom NASB Translation Nimrod (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs נִמְרֹד, נִמְרוֺד proper name, masculine Nimrod (etymology and meaning wholly unknown; Thes (dubious) below מָרַד rebel (of which Hebr. may have thought [compare LagBN 105]); in fact probably Babylonian name; 1 = a god e.g. Marduk, Wecompare Hexateuch (2), 308 f.; Nimrod, Encycl. Brit. (9). xvii. 511, RSSemitic i. 91 n.; 2d ed. 92; HomPSBA xv (1893), 291-300 proposes Narûdu = *Namra-uddu, a star-god. 2 < name of Babylonian king or prince: Nu-marad = 'Man of Marad' compare DlPa 220 DeGenesis 10:8 [1887]; more plausibly = Nazi-maraddash (marattash, murudas), HptAR July, 1884, 93 f. DlK (1884) SayAth. Feb. 16, 1895, Acad. Mar. 2, 1895 (compare Cheib. Mar. 9), — i.e. a Kashite king, B.C. 1378, but dubious, compare HptBAS i (1889), 183, JeremIzdubar-Nimrod, 1891, 1 ff.); — son of כּוּשׁ (q. v.), hero and hunter Genesis 10:8,9 (J; king in Babylonia, builder of Nineveh, etc. Genesis 10:10f.), נִמְרוֺד 1 Chronicles 1:10; אֶרֶץ נִמְרֹד Micah 5:5 ("" אֶרֶץ אַשּׁוּר); ᵐ5 Νεβρωδ. Topical Lexicon Meaning of the Name “Nimrod” carries the idea of rebellion, yet Scripture portrays him primarily as a figure of prowess and dominion. The name became emblematic of bold human self-assertion that resists divine rule. Biblical Narrative Genesis 10 situates Nimrod soon after the Flood, within the Table of Nations. “Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth” (Genesis 10:8). Twice the text stresses his might, calling him “a mighty hunter before the LORD” (Genesis 10:9). 1 Chronicles 1:10 repeats this summary, anchoring him in post-Flood history. Micah 5:6 speaks of “the land of Nimrod” parallel to Assyria, linking his memory with later Mesopotamian empires. Geographical Influence Genesis 10:10 lists Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in Shinar as the nucleus of Nimrod’s kingdom, then extends his reach to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen. Thus he straddles both Babylonian and Assyrian spheres, becoming a unifying symbol for the whole Mesopotamian power corridor. These cities later loom large in Israel’s story—Babel in the confusion of languages, Nineveh in Jonah’s mission, and Assyria as the rod of chastisement against the Northern Kingdom. Historical Interpretations Jewish and early Christian writers often identified Nimrod with the first empire builder in human history and sometimes connected him with the architect of the tower of Babel. While Scripture does not explicitly say he led that project, his kingship over Babel makes the association plausible. Post-biblical traditions cast him as an archetype of tyrannical government and idolatry, reflecting the memory of oppressive Near-Eastern rulers. Character Assessment The phrase “before the LORD” (Genesis 10:9) may signify either open defiance or conspicuous prominence under God’s gaze. In either case, Nimrod exemplifies humanity’s capacity to marshal natural gifts—strength, leadership, and technological skill—yet employ them for self-exalting ends. His hunting prowess suggests mastery over creation; his city-building displays organizational genius. Together they foreshadow later kingdoms that magnify human greatness while marginalizing the Creator. Prophetic Allusions Micah 5:6 foretells Messiah’s shepherd-rulers delivering Israel “from the Assyrian, when he invades our land and marches across our borders. And He will deliver us from Assyria”. By calling Assyria “the land of Nimrod,” the prophet invokes Nimrod as the fountainhead of Gentile aggression against God’s people. The verse deliberately contrasts Nimrod’s coercive empire with the Messiah’s righteous reign introduced in Micah 5:2. Theological Significance 1. Human Ambition versus Divine Purpose: Nimrod’s narrative illustrates the tension between fallen humanity’s drive to establish security apart from God and the divine mandate to fill the earth under His blessing (Genesis 9:1). Lessons for Ministry • Discern the allure of worldly strength. Churches and leaders must resist the temptation to measure success by numerical growth, architectural grandeur, or political influence, lest they replicate Nimrod’s pattern. Summary Nimrod stands at the dawn of post-Flood civilization as the prototype empire builder—celebrated for strength, notorious for self-willed dominance. Scripture uses his memory to trace the roots of Babylonian and Assyrian oppression and to highlight the ongoing conflict between human pride and divine sovereignty. His brief but strategic appearance invites readers to recognize worldly power’s limits and to place ultimate hope in the righteous reign of Christ. Forms and Transliterations כְּנִמְרֹ֛ד כנמרד נִמְר֑וֹד נִמְרֹ֑ד נִמְרֹ֖ד נמרד נמרוד kə·nim·rōḏ kenimRod kənimrōḏ nim·rō·wḏ nim·rōḏ nimRod nimrōḏ nimrōwḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:8 HEB: יָלַ֣ד אֶת־ נִמְרֹ֑ד ה֣וּא הֵחֵ֔ל NAS: became the father of Nimrod; he became KJV: And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be INT: now Cush became of Nimrod he began Genesis 10:9 1 Chronicles 1:10 Micah 5:6 4 Occurrences |
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