Genesis Part 020
In Genesis 10:8 we are introduced to Nimrod and it’s important to note that the Bible pauses the genealogies to tell us about this man.
Nimrod’s name means “rebellion.” Genesis 10:9 says, “He was a mighty hunter before the LORD.” Many Bible commentaries explain that this sentence carries more depth than what we read on the surface.
The International Standard Version of the Bible captures the meaning more in line with Bible commentaries,
“He became a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD. That is why it is said, ‘Like Nimrod, a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD.’"
In verse 10 we find a word that is used for the first time in the Bible, “Kingdom.” This word is used many more times after this in the Old Testament, but this is where we are first introduced to a “rebellious” man who begins to rule over people. We will focus on two of the cities he establishes and rules over: Babel and Nineveh. From these two cities are eventually born the capitals of the Babylonian and Assyrian empires. Two major world powers that would eventually take the people of Israel and Judah into captivity.
Babylon becomes a type of all later kingdoms of men that are set on doing things their own ways, apart from God.
In Genesis 11:4 we find that these people decided to build a tower. Below are a few excerpts from the Jewish historian, Josephus to better understand Nimrod, Babel and this tower.
“God commanded them to send colonies abroad, for the thorough peopling of the earth, - that they might not raise seditions among themselves, but might cultivate a great part of the earth, and enjoy its fruits after a plentiful manner: but they were ill instructed, that they did not obey God;
“for when they flourished with a numerous youth, God admonished them again to send out colonies; but they, imagining the prosperity they enjoyed was not derived from the favor of God, but supposing that their own power was the proper cause of the plentiful condition they were in, did not obey him.
“Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God.
“a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, - seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence upon his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! And that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!
“Now the multitude were very ready to follow the determination of Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God: and they built a tower, neither sparing any pains nor being in any degree negligent about the work: and, by reason of the multitude of hands employed in it it grew very high sooner than anyone could expect; but the thickness of it was so great, and it was so strongly built, that thereby its great height seemed, upon the view, to be less than it really was.
“When God saw that they acted so madly he did not resolve to destroy them utterly, since they were not growing wiser by the destruction of the former sinners; but he caused a tumult among them, by producing in them diverse languages, that they should not be able to understand one another. The place wherein they built the tower is now called Babylon; because of the confusion of that language which they readily understood before; for the Hebrews mean by the word Babel, Confusion.”
While reading from Josephus isn’t the same as reading the true inspired Word of the Bible, it gives us an idea of what was understood at the time about this section of scripture regarding Nimrod and Tower of Babel.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
