Genesis 10:10 kjv
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 10:10 nkjv
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 10:10 niv
The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar.
Genesis 10:10 esv
The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 10:10 nlt
He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.
Genesis 10 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 10:8-9 | Cush fathered Nimrod... a mighty hunter before the LORD. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. | Nimrod's description and prowess prior to kingship. |
| Gen 11:1-9 | The whole earth had one language... And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower... otherwise we shall be scattered.”... The LORD confused their language... | Direct sequel; origin of Babel, human rebellion. |
| Gen 1:28 | God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth..." | God's original command for human dispersion. |
| Gen 9:1 | God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” | Post-Flood reaffirmation of the dispersion mandate. |
| Isa 13:1 | An oracle concerning Babylon... | Prophetic judgment against later Babylon. |
| Isa 14:12-14 | How you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!... "I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high..." | Typology of pride and self-exaltation (often linked to Babel's spirit). |
| Jer 50:1 | The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon... | Extensive prophecies foretelling Babylon's downfall. |
| Jer 51:7 | Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, making all the earth drunk... | Babylon's seductive and corrupting influence. |
| Dan 2:31-38 | You saw... a great image... Its head was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron... You, O king, are the head of gold. | Babylon (Nimrod's archetypal city) as the first major empire. |
| Dan 4:30 | The king declared, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built... by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” | Epitome of human pride and self-aggrandizement associated with Babel. |
| Zep 2:13-15 | And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria... This is the exultant city that lived securely... | Echoes the fall of arrogant human empires. |
| Hab 1:6 | For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. | God using human empires (descendants of Babel) for His purposes. |
| Psa 2:1-4 | Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?... The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD... | Human defiance of God's sovereignty (reflected in Babel's spirit). |
| Psa 33:10-11 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever... | God's ultimate supremacy over human designs. |
| Pro 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | The spiritual lesson embodied by Babel. |
| Acts 17:26 | And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place... | God's intended design for human dispersion, contrasting Babel. |
| Rev 14:8 | Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” | Spiritual Babylon, symbolizing the ultimate system opposing God. |
| Rev 17:1-6 | Then one of the seven angels... said... "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters... with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality..." | Description of symbolic Babylon's power and corruption. |
| Rev 18:4 | Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; | Call to separate from corrupt worldly systems, rooted in the spirit of Babel. |
| Zech 5:5-11 | And the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that goes out.” ... and he said, “This is Ephah going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.” | Symbolic return of wickedness to its original sphere (Shinar/Babylon). |
| Amos 9:7 | "Are you not like the Cushites to me, O people of Israel?" declares the LORD. "Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?" | Nimrod, as a Cushite, represents non-Israelite origins/powers. |
| Ezra 7:6 | ... Ezra the scribe. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses... The king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. | The return of exiles from the actual land of Babylon, signifying divine reversal. |
| Isa 47:1-15 | Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon... for you shall no longer be called tender and delicate. | Divine judgment and humiliation of Babylon for its arrogance. |
Genesis 10 verses
Genesis 10 10 Meaning
Genesis 10:10 describes the initial formation and extent of Nimrod's kingdom, listing four significant cities—Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh—all situated within the fertile Mesopotamian region of Shinar. This verse marks the beginning of centralized, urban human power structures and is pivotal in establishing the origins of the kingdom often seen as defying God's post-Flood mandate for humanity to spread across the earth.
Genesis 10 10 Context
Genesis 10, often called the "Table of Nations," meticulously lists the descendants of Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who repopulated the earth after the Great Flood. This chapter bridges the narrative from the Flood to Abraham, detailing the geographical distribution and ethnic origins of various peoples. Within this global overview, Genesis 10:8-12 specifically highlights Nimrod, a descendant of Ham through Cush, presenting him as a uniquely powerful figure. Verse 10 zooms in on his primary contribution: the establishment of the earliest known urban and imperial centers in Mesopotamia. This focus on centralized power and significant cities sets the stage for the narrative of the Tower of Babel in chapter 11, where humanity explicitly defies God's command to fill the earth, choosing instead to congregate and build a name for themselves in the land of Shinar. Thus, Nimrod's kingdom becomes the archetypal foundation of human empire, ambition, and potential rebellion against divine order.
Genesis 10 10 Word analysis
- The beginning (רֵאשִׁית - re'shith): This Hebrew word can mean "first," "chief," or "principal." Here, it signifies not merely the chronological start but the foundational and preeminent aspect of Nimrod's kingdom. It suggests he was the pioneer of this form of centralized rule, setting a precedent. The term connects to the beginning of creation in Gen 1:1, subtly drawing a parallel or contrast regarding what constitutes a true beginning.
- of his kingdom (מַמְלַכְתּוֹ - mamlakhto): This noun refers to a realm governed by a king, signifying sovereignty, dominion, and organized political rule. It emphasizes that Nimrod was not just a powerful individual or a tribal chief but initiated a structured governmental system, making him the first recognized king in Scripture and his dominion the first explicit "kingdom."
- was Babel (בָּבֶל - Babel): Known later as Babylon. Its inclusion is profoundly significant due to its subsequent role in biblical history (Tower of Babel, Babylonian Empire, prophetic judgments). It serves as the symbolic prototype for human rebellion, pride, and the development of large-scale idolatry and oppression against God's people.
- Erech (אֶרֶךְ - Erech): Corresponds to ancient Uruk in Sumer, one of the earliest and most influential urban centers in Sumerian civilization. It was renowned for its temple complexes and early writing, representing significant human advancement and organization outside God's direct guidance.
- Accad (אַכַּד - Accad): Also known as Agade, the capital of the later Akkadian Empire under Sargon the Great, which historically conquered and unified the Mesopotamian city-states. Its mention in Nimrod's time suggests a precursor or foundational influence to such imperial formations.
- and Calneh (וְכַלְנֵה - v'khalneh): The identification of Calneh is less certain, though some suggest it might be Nippur, a significant religious center in Sumer. Its presence alongside the other prominent cities reinforces the expansive and concentrated nature of Nimrod's emerging dominion.
- in the land of Shinar (בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר - b'eretz Shin'ar): This refers to the broad alluvial plain of Mesopotamia, encompassing the region of Sumer and later Babylonia. This geographical detail ties directly to Genesis 11, explicitly locating the rebellion of the Tower of Babel in the same fertile yet problematic region, known for its concentration of human power and self-exaltation.
Words-group analysis:
- "The beginning of his kingdom": This phrase highlights Nimrod's pioneering role in establishing centralized, sovereign political rule. It suggests a new phase in human organization, moving beyond familial or tribal structures towards complex state formations, which would profoundly impact history.
- "Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh": The listing of these specific cities indicates Nimrod's practical sphere of influence. These were not just settlements but burgeoning urban centers, representing early advancements in human architecture, social structure, and economic development. They symbolize the foundational cities of human power and ambition in this foundational epoch.
- "in the land of Shinar": This critical geographical marker links Nimrod's early empire to the notorious region of the Tower of Babel. It grounds the historical account in a specific area known for human self-sufficiency and the collective ambition to establish a society independent of, and ultimately opposed to, God's divine guidance.
Genesis 10 10 Bonus section
- Nimrod's "Before the LORD": While not explicitly in verse 10, Genesis 10:9 states Nimrod was "a mighty hunter before the LORD." This phrase (
paniym Yahweh) carries a double meaning. It can suggest greatness in the sight of God, or greatness in opposition to God. Given the context of Babel (Gen 11), many interpreters understand Nimrod's greatness as being in defiance of God, initiating an empire to consolidate humanity rather than scatter, thus setting up human rule as rival to divine rule. - Archetypal City: The listing of Babel (Babylon) first indicates its preeminent symbolic role. It represents the very beginning of a long biblical trajectory of urban centers embodying human autonomy, often leading to idolatry and oppression. This narrative pivot introduces the "city of man" motif that contrasts with the "city of God."
- Contrast with God's Creation: The term "re'shith" (beginning) for Nimrod's kingdom implicitly invites comparison with "re'shith" (beginning) in Gen 1:1 for creation. While God's "beginning" brought order and life from chaos, Nimrod's "beginning" of empire subtly foreshadows human-orchestrated chaos through unified rebellion against God's scattering plan.
- No King Before: Nimrod is the first figure explicitly called a "king" in the Bible and the founder of the first kingdom. This singular status highlights the innovation of centralized rule separate from familial leadership (like Noah or Abraham).
Genesis 10 10 Commentary
Genesis 10:10 serves as a succinct yet profound declaration regarding the dawn of human empires. It describes Nimrod's foundational reign over an initial quartet of cities in Mesopotamia, effectively pioneering the concept of kingdom and centralized authority. This establishment, "the beginning of his kingdom," subtly contrasts with God's earlier directive to humanity to "fill the earth." Nimrod, a mighty hunter turned mighty ruler, gathered people into cities, representing a congregational impulse that paved the way for the unified ambition seen in the Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11).
The strategic location of these cities, especially Babel (Babylon) in the land of Shinar, marks this as a birthplace for structures of power that would often stand in defiance of divine purposes. Babel becomes the biblical archetype for systems rooted in human pride, self-sufficiency, and resistance to God's authority. This verse thus lays the theological groundwork for understanding the recurring conflict between God's chosen people and the successive human empires—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome—that characterize biblical history, ultimately culminating in the prophetic "Babylon the Great" of Revelation, embodying the anti-God spirit of worldly power. It reveals that the origin of kingdom structures on earth stemmed from a human initiative rather than a direct divine command for centralized universal human rule.