Nimrod
malePatriarchalMeaning: “We shall rebel”
A grandson of Ham described as "a mighty one in the earth" and the first empire-builder, founder of Babel, Erech, and Nineveh.
Biography
Nimrod, a son of Cush and grandson of Ham, is the first man Scripture calls "a mighty one in the earth." He was "a mighty hunter before the LORD," and the phrase became proverbial (Genesis 10:8–9).
The first empire
Nimrod is presented as the world's first empire-builder: "the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar" (Genesis 10:10), and from there he extended into Assyria, building Nineveh and other great cities (Genesis 10:11–12). Many traditions link him to the tower of Babel that followed. His name later became shorthand for the proud, God-defying kingdoms of the world (Micah 5:6 speaks of "the land of Nimrod").
Life Timeline
Founds Babel and the first kingdoms in Shinar
On the Bible timeline
Nimrod belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Themes & lessons from Nimrod
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Nimrod appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
4 verses in 3 booksGenesis2 verses
Genesis 10:8
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 1:10
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.
Micah1 verse
Micah 5:6
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. waste: Heb. eat up in the: or, with her own naked swords
Frequently asked about Nimrod
Who was Nimrod in the Bible?
A grandson of Ham described as "a mighty one in the earth" and the first empire-builder, founder of Babel, Erech, and Nineveh.
What does the name Nimrod mean?
The name Nimrod means “We shall rebel”.
What did Nimrod do in the Bible?
Nimrod served as king, hunter.
Where does Nimrod appear in the Bible?
Nimrod is mentioned 4 times across 3 books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Micah.
What can we learn from Nimrod?
The story of Nimrod touches on themes of assyria, cush, sciences, genealogy — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Nimrod's life.
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