Genesis 10:8-1

(J). Nimrod, Assyria and Babylon: Canaan and Egypt

8 12 (J). Nimrod

8. Cush begat Nimrod In connexion with the "sons of Cush" we have here an Israelite tradition that the foundation of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires was due to "a son of Cush," named Nimrod. What, if any, was deemed to be the connexion between Cush, and the origin of Babylon and Nineveh, is not related. At least, the explanation which has been hazarded, that some prehistoric Ethiopian monarch, having invaded and conquered Western Asia, founded the great cities of the Euphrates Valley, has not hitherto received confirmation.

Modern scholars call attention to the prominence of a people designated as the Cossaeans, Κοσσαῖοι, Assyr. Kashu, in Babylonian history. They were predominant in Babylonia between 1800 and 1200 b.c. It is suggested that the early Israelite tradition identified the name of this people with the similarly sounding name of the African Cush, and that, in the halo of romance and legend encircling the name of Nimrod, the Ethiopian origin of the founder of Babylon presented no serious difficulty.

Nimrod Mentioned elsewhere in 1 Chronicles 1:10; Micah 5:6. Here he is described under two aspects: (1) as a mighty hunter, (2) as king of Babylonia, and founder of the chief cities in Assyria.

Assyriologists have been inclined to identify Nimrod with the mythical Babylonian hero, Gilgames, the hunter and lion-slayer, represented in Babylonian art as throttling, or gripping, a wild animal. No similarity in the name has yet been ascertained. Jeremias suggests that Nimrod is the Hebrew pronunciation of Nâmir-Uddu= "shining light." Another conjecture would identify him with the Cassite, or Cossaean, king Nazi-maruttash(circ. 1350 b.c.): but, if so, Israelite tradition seems to have transferred the name of a comparatively recent king (more recent than the patriarchs) into the ages of legendary obscurity.

began to be a mighty one A strange expression. The word "began" should be connected with "the beginning of his kingdom" in Genesis 10:10. "He was the first great monarch." Compare "began to be an husbandman" (Genesis 9:20).