Genesis 10:9
New International Version
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

King James Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

New King James Version
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

NASB 1995
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

NASB 1977
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD.”

American Standard Version
He was a mighty hunter before Jehovah: wherefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah.

English Revised Version
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He was a mighty hunter whom the LORD blessed. That's why people used to say, "[He's] like Nimrod, a mighty hunter whom the LORD blessed."

Good News Translation
By the LORD's help he was a great hunter, and that is why people say, "May the LORD make you as great a hunter as Nimrod!"

International Standard Version
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."

Majority Standard Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, ?Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.?

NET Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. (That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.")

New Heart English Bible
He was a mighty hunter before God. Therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before God."

Webster's Bible Translation
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

World English Bible
He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
he has begun to be a hero in the land; he has been a hero in hunting before YHWH; therefore it is said, “As Nimrod the hero [in] hunting before YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
he hath begun to be a hero in the land; he hath been a hero in hunting before Jehovah; therefore it is said, 'As Nimrod the hero in hunting before Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
He was a strong taker of prey before the face of Jehovah; for this he will say, As Nimrod the strong hunter before the face of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was a stout hunter before the Lord. Hence came a proverb: Even as Nemrod the stout hunter before the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was an able hunter before the Lord. From this, a proverb came forth: ‘Just like Nimrod, an able hunter before the Lord.’

New American Bible
He was a mighty hunter in the eyes of the LORD; hence the saying, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the eyes of the LORD.”

New Revised Standard Version
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He was a champion hunter before LORD JEHOVAH; because of this, it is said, “As Nimruud the champion hunter before LORD JEHOVAH.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; wherefore it is said: 'Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He was a giant hunter before the Lord God; therefore they say, As Nebrod the giant hunter before the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Hamites
8Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.” 10His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.…

Cross References
Genesis 10:8
Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth.

Genesis 11:1-9
Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech. / And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. / And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. ...

1 Chronicles 1:10
Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth.

Micah 5:6
And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn. So He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land and marches into our borders.

Isaiah 13:19
And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Isaiah 14:4-6
you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! / The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. / It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...

Jeremiah 50:23
How the hammer of the whole earth lies broken and shattered! What a horror Babylon has become among the nations!

Jeremiah 51:20-23
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...

Ezekiel 31:3-9
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. ...

Ezekiel 32:11-12
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you! / I will make your hordes fall by the swords of the mighty, the most ruthless of all nations. They will ravage the pride of Egypt and all her multitudes will be destroyed.

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Revelation 18:10
In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Revelation 17:5
And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.


Treasury of Scripture

He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: why it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

a mighty.

Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 25:27
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 27:30
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

before the Lord.

Genesis 6:11
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Even.

2 Chronicles 28:22
And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.

Psalm 52:7
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

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Genesis 10
1. The generations of Noah.
2. Japheth.
6. Ham.
8. Nimrod becomes the first monarch; the descendants of Canaan.
21. The sons of Shem.














He was a mighty hunter
The phrase "mighty hunter" in Hebrew is "גִּבּוֹר צַיִד" (gibbor tsayid). The term "gibbor" often denotes a person of great strength or valor, frequently used in the context of warriors or heroes. This suggests that Nimrod was not just a hunter of animals but possibly a conqueror of men, a figure of significant power and influence. The word "tsayid" refers to hunting, which in ancient times was a skill necessary for survival and a demonstration of prowess. Nimrod's reputation as a "mighty hunter" indicates his exceptional abilities and perhaps his leadership in establishing early civilizations.

before the LORD
The Hebrew phrase "לִפְנֵי יְהוָה" (lifnei YHWH) can be translated as "in the presence of the LORD" or "before the LORD." This expression implies that Nimrod's actions were notable in the sight of God, suggesting a level of divine acknowledgment or scrutiny. In the conservative Christian perspective, this could mean that Nimrod's might and actions were significant enough to be recorded in the divine narrative, highlighting the importance of living a life that is conscious of God's omnipresence.

so it is said
This phrase indicates that Nimrod's reputation was well-known and proverbial. The use of "so it is said" suggests that his legacy was not just a historical account but had become a part of the cultural lore, a benchmark for others. It reflects the oral tradition of passing down accounts and the impact of Nimrod's life on subsequent generations.

Like Nimrod
The comparison "Like Nimrod" signifies that Nimrod had become a standard or archetype for might and hunting prowess. His name itself became synonymous with strength and skill, indicating the lasting impression he left on history and culture. In a broader sense, this comparison serves as a reminder of the influence one individual can have on society and history.

a mighty hunter before the LORD
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes its importance. It reinforces the idea that Nimrod's might and his role as a hunter were significant in the context of his relationship with God. In the conservative Christian view, this repetition could serve as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging God's presence in all aspects of life, including one's achievements and reputation. It also suggests that true might and success are ultimately recognized in the context of one's standing before God.

(9) He was a mighty hunter.--When men were still leading a pastoral life, and were but poorly armed, the war with wild beasts was a most important and dangerous occupation. Probably from single combats with fierce animals, Nimrod, now recognised as a public benefactor, was led to organise hunts upon a large scale, and so, like Romulus, became the chief of a band of the most spirited and vigorous shepherds. "With their aid, he next undertook the more serious duty of introducing order and rule among men who had hitherto lived in scattered groups without control, and without the means of suppressing feuds and of punishing deeds of violence.

Before the Lord.--A strong superlative. (Comp. Genesis 13:13.)

Verse 9. - He was a mighty hunter. Originally doubtless of wild beasts, which, according to Bochart, was the first step to usurping dominion over men and using them for battle. "Nempe venationum prsetextu collegit juvenum robustam manum, quam talibus exercitus ad belli labores induravit" ('Phaleg.,' 54:12). Before the Lord.

1. Ἐναντίον κυρίου (LXX.), in a spirit of defiance (Augustine, Keil, Murphy, Bush).

2. Coram Des, in God's sight, as an aggravation of his sin - el, Genesis 13:3 (Cajetan).

3. As a superlative, declaring his excellence - cf. Genesis 13:10; Genesis 30:8; Genesis 35:5; 1 Samuel 11:7; John 3:3; Acts 7:20 (Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Kalisch, ' Speaker's Commentary'). 4. With the Divine approbation, as one who broke the way through rude, uncultivated nature for the institutions of Jehovah (Lange). Cf. Genesis 17:18; Genesis 24:40; 1 Samuel 11:15; Psalm 41:12. Probably the first or the third conveys the sense of the expression. Wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the (a) mighty hunter before the Lord. The precise import of this is usually determined by the view taken of the previous phrase.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He
הֽוּא־ (hū-)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was
הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a mighty
גִבֹּֽר־ (ḡib·bōr-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

hunter
צַ֖יִד (ṣa·yiḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6718: The chase, game, lunch

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD;
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

so
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

it is said,
יֵֽאָמַ֔ר (yê·’ā·mar)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Like Nimrod,
כְּנִמְרֹ֛ד (kə·nim·rōḏ)
Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5248: Nimrod -- a son of Cush and founder of the Babylonian kingdom

a mighty
גִּבּ֥וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

hunter
צַ֖יִד (ṣa·yiḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6718: The chase, game, lunch

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 10:8
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