Genesis 10:8-11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 10:6-14

That which is observable and improvable in these verses is the account here given of Nimrod, Gen. 10:8-10. He is here represented as a great man in his day: He began to be a mighty one in the earth, that is, whereas those that went before him were content to stand upon the same level with their neighbours, and though every man bore rule in his own house yet no man pretended any further, Nimrod's aspiring mind could not rest here; he was resolved to tower above his neighbours, not only to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:8

And Cush begat Nimrod ,.... Besides the other five sons before mentioned; and probably this was his youngest son, being mentioned last; or however he is reserved to this place, because more was to be spoken of him than of any of the rest. Sir Walter Raleigh F9 History of the World, B. 1. ch. 10. sect. 1. p. 109. thinks that Nimrod was begotten by Cush after his other children were become fathers, and of a later time than some of his grandchildren and nephews: and indeed the sons of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:9

He was a mighty hunter before the Lord ,.... Which might be literally true; for, from the time of the flood to his days, wild beasts might increase very much, and greatly annoy men who dwelt very likely for the most part in tents scattered up and down in divers places: so that he did a good office in hunting and destroying them. An Arabic writer F15 Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. p. 18. , of some authority in the eastern parts, says, that by hunting he got food sufficient for the builders... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:10

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel ,.... The city of Babel, or Babylon, which was built by his direction; for though Babylon is by some writers said to be built by Semiramis, the wife of Ninus, and others by Ninus himself, yet the truest account is, that it was built by Belus, the same with Nimrod. Curtius F20 Hist. l. 5. c. 1. says, Semiramis built it; or, as most believe, adds he, Belus, whose royal palace is shown: and Berosus F21 Apud Joseph. contra Apion. l. 1. c. 20. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:11

Out of that land went forth Ashur ,.... It is a question whether Ashur is the name of a man or of a country; some take it in the latter sense, and render the words, "and out of that land he went forth into Assyria"; so Onkelos; and in this way go Junius and Tremellius, Piscator, Bochart, Cocceius, and others, and the margin of our Bible, and interpret it of Nimrod; and the Targum of Jonathan is express for him, which is this:"out of that land went forth Nimrod, and reigned in Assyria,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:8

Nimrod - Of this person little is known, as he is not mentioned except here and in 1 Chronicles 1:10 , which is evidently a copy of the text in Genesis. He is called a mighty hunter before the Lord; and from Genesis 10:10 , we learn that he founded a kingdom which included the cities Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Though the words are not definite, it is very likely he was a very bad man. His name Nimrod comes from מרד , marad , he rebelled; and the Targum,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:10

The beginning of his kingdom was Babel - בבל babel signifies confusion; and it seems to have been a very proper name for the commencement of a kingdom that appears to have been founded in apostasy from God, and to have been supported by tyranny, rapine, and oppression. In the land of Shinar - The same as mentioned Genesis 11:2 . It appears that, as Babylon was built on the river Euphrates, and the tower of Babel was in the land of Shinar, consequently Shinar itself must have been... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:11

Out of that land went forth Asshur - The marginal reading is to be preferred here. He - Nimrod, went out into Assyria and built Nineveh; and hence Assyria is called the land of Nimrod, Micah 5:6 . Thus did this mighty hunter extend his dominions in every possible way. The city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is supposed to have had its name from Ninus, the son of Nimrod; but probably Ninus and Nimrod are the same person. This city, which made so conspicuous a figure in the history of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:8

Verse 8 8.And Cush begat Nimrod. It is certain that Cush was the prince of the Ethiopians. Moses relates the singular history of his son Nimrod, because he began to be eminent in an unusual degree. Moreover, I thus interpret the passage, that the condition of men was at that time moderate; so that if some excelled others, they yet did not on that account domineer, nor assume to themselves royal power; but being content with a degree of dignity, governed others by civil laws and had more of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:10

Verse 10 10.And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel. Moses here designates the seat of Nimrod’s empire. He also declares that four cities were subject to him; it is however uncertain whether he was the founder of them, or had thence expelled their rightful lords. And although mention is elsewhere made of Calneh, (314) yet Babylon was the most celebrated of all. I do not however think that it was of such wide extent, or of such magnificent structure, as the profane historians relate. But... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 10:6-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 10:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 10:10

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