Nimrod

Biblical Record

Nimrod appears in the genealogy of Genesis 10. This genealogy traces how the nations spread out from the three sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and is commonly called the "Table of Nations." Within it, Nimrod is the son of Cush, the son of Ham (Genesis 10:8).

The text says that "he began to be a mighty one in the earth" and describes him as "a mighty hunter before the LORD." It also records a saying of the time: "Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD" (Genesis 10:8–9). His kingdom began with Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar. According to the Korean Revised Version, he then went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen (Genesis 10:10–12).

The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1:10 briefly repeats the same information. Beyond this, the only other reference is Micah 5:6, which calls Assyria "the land of Nimrod." The Bible does not record when or how he died, or what else he did.

Significance Within the Bible

Within the Bible, Nimrod is linked to the account of the origins of the cities and kingdoms of Mesopotamia. Babel, which he is said to have founded, later became Babylon, and Nineveh became the chief city of Assyria. Both were great powers that profoundly affected the history of Israel. Micah's reference to Assyria as "the land of Nimrod" also reflects this connection. Nimrod is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretations and Issues

• The meaning of "before the LORD": Commentators read this expression in different ways. Some take it as a superlative meaning "outstanding even in God's sight" and therefore read it as a neutral or positive description. Others take it to mean "against the LORD" and read Nimrod as a figure who opposed God.
• The translation of Genesis 10:11: The Korean Revised Version renders the verse to say that Nimrod went into Assyria. Some other translations and interpretations, however, render it as "Out of that land went forth Asshur" (that is, Asshur or the Assyrians). The difference arises because the Hebrew sentence can be read in two ways.
• Connection with the Tower of Babel: Jewish tradition, including the Jewish historian Josephus, portrays Nimrod as a rebel who led the building of the Tower of Babel. An interpretation connecting his name with the Hebrew verb meaning "to rebel" has also been handed down. Nimrod's name, however, does not appear in the Tower of Babel account in Genesis 11. The view that he built the tower is a later tradition rather than something the text directly states.
• Later expanded interpretations: Some nineteenth-century British writings linked Nimrod to the origins of ancient religions and various pagan customs. Such claims, however, have been criticized as lacking a sound historical basis. Scholars have also attempted to identify Nimrod with particular historical Mesopotamian kings or deities (such as Ninurta), but no consensus exists.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching, Nimrod is sometimes cited alongside the Tower of Babel passage as an example of human power and pride apart from God. Some Sunday school materials also present him in connection with the Tower of Babel. Such explanations, however, rest on tradition rather than on the biblical text.