One of the greatest and most powerful leaders in the Bible and very few people know that he was black. Nimrod is considered the world’s first ruler, and his name synonymous with greatness. His renown went far and wide for being the greatest hunter, warrior and builder. In fact, Nimrod built a great Kingdom, with great cities and civilizations that still exist today in Babylon and Assyria.
Genesis 10:8-12 (NLT)
Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth. Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.” He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh. From there he expanded his territory to Assyria, building the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen (the great city located between Nineveh and Calah).
Nimrod was also involved in creating a great city, with a tower (temple) that reached the heavens and whose purpose was to reach God (Genesis 11:4-9). God, realizing this effort to oppose His rule, confuses the people by mixing their language. As a result, the people can no longer work together, so they gather according to language and would spread throughout the world.
Verses 10-12 reveal that Nimrod built at least four cities; four of which were in the land of “Shinar” (i.e., Babylon; modern Iraq) and four in the land of Assyria. The origin of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. Babel is modern Iraq—the place where rebellion began with the building of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), and the place where all will end (Rev. 17-18). Erech is ancient Uruk (modern Warka), 100 miles southeast of Babylon. Accad, identical to the ancient Akkadian (Sumerian) empire, is just north of Babylon on the Euphrates River.
Nimrod left Babylon and built four more cities in Assyria, modern day southeastern Turkey. Nineveh is the most notable of the cities in Assyria (cf. Jonah, Nahum). Rehoboth-Ir is likely the suburb of Rebit Ninâ. Calah is the modern Nimrud which is about 20 miles south, and Resen is likely Risnu which lies between the other cities forming what appears to be one large metropolis.
Nimrod left Babylon and built four more cities in Assyria, modern day southeastern Turkey. Nineveh is the most notable of the cities in Assyria (cf. Jonah, Nahum). Rehoboth-Ir is likely the suburb of Rebit Ninâ. Calah is the modern Nimrud which is about 20 miles south, and Resen is likely Risnu which lies between the other cities forming what appears to be one large metropolis.
The very name Nimrod comes from a Hebrew root word meaning “to rebel,” and this seems to fit his life given the biblical account of him. Even after the events of Babel he could have repented instead he continued to rebel. Unfortunately for Nimrod, he could have been known as a leader that followed God instead of opposing Him.
Nimrod was famous for being the first major ruler opposed to God’s rule. He was a great man, and did many great things that are still spoken of today. Our present world continues to be in that same rebellion against God. Our hearts also, if we do not consider what God is saying. Will we be remembered as Nimrod was? A builder of towers and cities for his own name. Or will we make the name of Jesus known and renown throughout the world as His ambassadors?
Lorenzo DellaForesta