His kingdom began in Babylon
Babylon, located in Mesopotamia, is one of the most significant cities in biblical history. It later becomes synonymous with rebellion against God, as seen in the Tower of Babel narrative (Genesis 11). Babylon is often depicted as a symbol of human pride and opposition to divine authority. The city plays a crucial role in biblical prophecy, particularly in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation, where it represents worldly power and corruption. The mention of Babylon here foreshadows its future prominence and its eventual downfall as prophesied in Revelation 18.

Erech
Erech, also known as Uruk, was an ancient city in southern Mesopotamia. It is one of the earliest known cities in history and is often associated with the Sumerian civilization. Archaeological findings suggest it was a major cultural and political center. The city's inclusion in this list highlights the early development of urban centers in the region and their influence on the surrounding areas. Erech's historical significance is underscored by its mention in ancient texts, including the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Accad
Accad, or Akkad, was the capital of the Akkadian Empire, founded by Sargon the Great. This empire is one of the first known empires in history, marking a significant development in the political landscape of the ancient Near East. The Akkadian Empire is noted for its advancements in administration and culture. The mention of Accad in Genesis 10:10 indicates the early establishment of powerful city-states and their role in shaping the history of the region.

and Calneh
Calneh's exact location is uncertain, but it is believed to have been another significant city in the region of Shinar. Some scholars suggest it may have been located near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The inclusion of Calneh in this list emphasizes the concentration of early civilization in Mesopotamia and the interconnectedness of these cities. Calneh's mention alongside other prominent cities suggests its importance in the early development of human society.

in the land of Shinar
Shinar is a term used in the Bible to refer to the region of southern Mesopotamia, encompassing the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is often associated with the broader region of Sumer and later Babylonia. Shinar is significant in biblical history as the location of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) and as a symbol of human ambition and defiance against God. The land of Shinar is also mentioned in prophetic literature, such as in the book of Daniel, where it represents a center of power and influence.

1. Nimrod
Although not mentioned directly in Genesis 10:10, Nimrod is the central figure in the surrounding verses. He is described as a mighty hunter and a powerful ruler whose kingdom began with Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh.

2. Babel
Known later as Babylon, Babel is the first city mentioned in Nimrod's kingdom. It is significant for the Tower of Babel event, which symbolizes human pride and the subsequent scattering of people by God.

3. Erech
An ancient city in southern Mesopotamia, also known as Uruk. It was one of the major cities in Nimrod's kingdom and is often associated with early civilization and culture.

4. Accad
Another city in Nimrod's kingdom, associated with the Akkadian Empire, which played a significant role in ancient Mesopotamian history.

5. Calneh
A city whose exact location is uncertain, but it is considered part of Nimrod's early kingdom in the land of Shinar.

6. Shinar
The region where these cities were located, often identified with southern Mesopotamia. It is a significant area in biblical history, particularly in the context of early post-flood civilization.The Rise of Human Kingdoms
Genesis 10:10 marks the beginning of organized human kingdoms post-flood. It serves as a reminder of humanity's tendency to build empires and seek power, often apart from God.

The Consequences of Pride
The mention of Babel foreshadows the events of Genesis 11, where human pride leads to God's intervention. This teaches us the importance of humility and reliance on God rather than our own achievements.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Despite human efforts to establish kingdoms, God remains sovereign. The scattering at Babel and the eventual fall of Babylon in Revelation illustrate that God's purposes prevail over human plans.

Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the historical and cultural context of these ancient cities helps us appreciate the Bible's account and its relevance to human history.

Legacy and Influence
Nimrod's kingdom set a precedent for future empires. Reflecting on this can prompt us to consider the legacy we are building and its alignment with God's kingdom.(10) The beginning of his kingdom.--Nimrod's empire began with the cities enumerated in this verse, and thence extended into Assyria, as is mentioned in Genesis 10:11. First, then, he established his sovereignty "in the land of Shinar: "that is, in Babylonia, the lower portion of Mesopotamia, as distinguished from Assyria, the upper portion. It is called Sumir in the cuneiform inscriptions. In Micah 5:6 Babylonia is called "the land of Nimrod." His cities there were four.

Babel.--That is, Bab-ili, "the gate of God," the literal translation in Assyrian of its previous Accadian name, Ca-dimirra (Chald. Gen., p. 168). In Genesis 11:9 the word is derisively derived from a Hebrew root meaning confusion, because of the confusion of tongues there.

Erech.--"At the time of the opening of the Izdubar legends, the great city of the south of Babylonia was Urak, called in Genesis Erech" (Chald. Gen., p. 192). It was ravaged by Kudur-nankhunte, king of Elam, in the year B.C. 2280, according to an inscription of Assurbanipal (B.C. 670). It lies about thirty leagues to the south-east of Babylon, and is now called Warka. From the numerous mounds and remains of coffins discovered there, it is supposed to have been the early burial-place of the Assyrian kings. (See also Rawlin-son's Ancient Monarchies, 1, pp. 18, 156.)

Accad.--This name, which was meaningless fifty years ago, is now a household word in the mouth of Assyriologers; for in deciphering the cuneiform literature it was found that many of the works, especially in the library of Sargon, were translations from an extinct language; and as these were deciphered it gradually became evident that before any inhabitants of the Semitic stock had entered Chaldea it had been peopled by the Accadians, a black race, who had been "the builders of its cities, the inventors of the cuneiform system of writing, and the founders of the culture and civilisation afterwards borrowed by the Semites" (Chald. Gen., p. 19). This Sargon, who was king of Agane, in Babylonia, about B.C. 1800. is of course a different person from the Ninevite Sargon mentioned in Isaiah 20:1, who also was the founder of a noble library about B.C. 721; and as the Accadian language was already in his days passing away, this earlier or Babylonian Sargon caused translations to be made, especially of those works in which the Accadians had recorded their astronomical and astrological observations, and placed them in his library at Agane. Previously also "Semitic translations of Accadian works had been made for the library of Erech, one of the earliest seats of Semitic power" (Ibid, p. 21). Mr. Sayce places the conquest of Shinar by the Semites at some period two or three thousand years before the Christian era, and thus the founding of these cities and the empire of the Accadians goes back to a still more remote date, especially as the struggle between them and their conquerors was a very prolonged one (Ibid, p. 20). . . .

Verse 10. - And the beginning of his kingdom. Either his first kingdom, as contrasted with his second (Knobel), or the commencement of his sovereignty (Keil, Kalisch), or the principal city of his empire (Rosenmüller); or all three may be legitimately embraced in the term reshith, only it does not necessarily imply that Nimrod built any of the cities mentioned. Was Babel. Babylon, "the land of Nimrod" (Micah 5:6), the origin of which is described in Genesis 11:1, grew to be a great city covering an area of 225 square reties, reached its highest glory under Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30), and succumbed to the Medo-Persian power under Belshazzar (Daniel 5:31). The remains of this great city have been discovered on the east bank of the Euphrates near Hillah, where there is a square mound called "Babil" by the Arabs (Rawlinson's 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1. Genesis 1). And Erech. The Orchoe of Ptolemy, identified by Rawlinson as Wurka, about eighty miles south of Babylon. And Accad. Ἀρχάδ (LXX.); the city Sittace on the river Argade (Bochart); Sakada, a town planted by Ptolemy below Ninus (Clericus); Accete, north of Babylon (Knobel, Lange); identified with the ruins of Niffer, to the south of Hillah (Keil); with those of Akkerkoof, north of Hillah (Kalisch). Rawlinson does not identify the site; George Smith regards it as "the capital of Sargon, the great city Agadi, near the city of Sippara on the Euphrates, and north of Babylon ('Assyrian Discoveries,' Genesis 12.). And Calneh. Calno (Isaiah 10:9); Canneh (Ezekiel 27:23); Ctesiphon, east of the Tigris, north-east of Babylon (Jerome, Eusebius, Bochart, Michaelis, Kalisch); identified with the ruins of Niffer on the east of the Euphrates (Rawlinson). In the land of Shinar. Babylonia, as distinguished from Assyria (Isaiah 11:11), the lower part of Mesopotamia, or Chaldaea.

Parallel Commentaries ...


His kingdom
מַמְלַכְתּוֹ֙ (mam·laḵ·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

began
רֵאשִׁ֤ית (rê·šîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank

in Babylon,
בָּבֶ֔ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

Erech,
וְאֶ֖רֶךְ (wə·’e·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 751: Erech -- a city in Babylon

Accad,
וְאַכַּ֣ד (wə·’ak·kaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 390: Accad -- the name of a city in northern Babylon

and Calneh,
וְכַלְנֵ֑ה (wə·ḵal·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3641: Calneh -- a place in Babylon

in the land
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Shinar.
שִׁנְעָֽר׃ (šin·‘ār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8152: Shinar -- another name for Babylon


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OT Law: Genesis 10:10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel (Gen. Ge Gn)