Genesis 10:9

a mighty hunter before the Lord The phrase "before the Lord" is merely descriptive of magnitude, cf. Genesis 23:6, "a great prince" (Heb. a prince of God), Jonah 3:3, "Nineveh was an exceeding great city" (Heb. a city great unto God). But it is possible that the expression is traceable to some primitive traditions respecting the hunting exploits of Nimrod, and the favour shewn to him by his God.

The popularity of hunting scenes in Assyrian art may have led to a general impression that the founders of the Assyrian and Babylonian kingdoms were famous huntsmen.

It is noteworthy that in later times Nimrod was identified with Orion, both as a hunter and as a constellation. Hence some have fancifully explained these words to mean "a hunter in heaven."

wherefore it is said The quotation of a proverb: Nimrod's name became proverbial for a great hunter.