Genesis 10:11 kjv

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

Genesis 10:11 nkjv

From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,

Genesis 10:11 niv

From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah

Genesis 10:11 esv

From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and

Genesis 10:11 nlt

From there he expanded his territory to Assyria, building the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah,

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 11 Meaning

Genesis 10:11 details the expansion of Nimrod's kingdom from the land of Shinar into Assyria. This verse primarily describes Nimrod's further establishment of major urban centers, including the foundational building of Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen, which collectively formed a "great city" complex. It signifies Nimrod's initiative in expanding his domain and establishing a powerful, city-based empire beyond his initial kingdom in Babel.

Genesis 10 11 Context

Genesis 10, often called the "Table of Nations," genealogically accounts for the post-Flood population of the earth through Noah's three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It lists the founders of seventy nations, explaining the dispersion and initial settlements. Within this global overview, Nimrod stands out as a unique figure. He is not merely a progenitor but the first to establish a substantial, centralized kingdom marked by cities and rule (Gen 10:8-10). Verse 11, specifically, elaborates on Nimrod's proactive expansion of this nascent kingdom beyond Shinar (where Babel was), indicating a continued trajectory of power consolidation and urban development into the future region of Assyria. Historically, this account sets the stage for the powerful Assyrian Empire that would later significantly impact Israel, making Nimrod's actions prophetic of future geopolitical struggles and a contrast to God's command to fill the whole earth by peaceful dispersion. It presents human enterprise focused on empire-building.

Genesis 10 11 Word analysis

• From that land (מִן הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא, min hā’āreṣ hahîw’): Refers specifically to the land of Shinar (Gen 10:10), the geographical center of Nimrod's initial kingdom and the place of Babel. It highlights the expansion originating from a distinct point.
• he went forth (יָצָא, yāṣā’): The verb implies an intentional departure, an aggressive expansion or emigration.
  • Crucial Debate: Who is the subject of "he went forth"?
    1. Nimrod (Traditional/Dominant View): Many ancient versions (Septuagint, Targums, Vulgate, Josephus), as well as numerous later commentators, understand Nimrod to be the subject, making him the founder of these Assyrian cities. This aligns with Nimrod's description as a mighty king and kingdom builder in the preceding verses. He expanded his domain.
    2. Asshur (Alternative View): Some modern translations (e.g., KJV, NKJV) read "out of that land went forth Asshur," interpreting the proper noun 'Asshur' (אַשּׁוּר) as the subject, thus suggesting that Asshur (son of Shem, listed in Gen 10:22) founded the Assyrian cities. This requires an abrupt change of subject from Nimrod to Asshur without clear linguistic cues in the Hebrew.
  • Resolution: The context of Nimrod's powerful kingdom-building and the flow of the narrative (describing Nimrod's activities) strongly favor Nimrod as the subject. The term "Assyria" (אַשּׁוּר) is likely a geographical destination for Nimrod's expansion, indicating the area Nimrod conquered or settled. This highlights his initiative in expanding his rule.
• into Assyria (אַשּׁוּר, ’aššûr): This is the geographical region. Nimrod expanded his empire from Mesopotamia's southern region (Shinar) northwards to what would become Assyria, a significant area in biblical history.
• and built (וַיִּבֶן, wayyiven): Signifies creation, establishment, and control. Building cities was an act of asserting dominance and creating centers of power, trade, and culture in the ancient world. It demonstrates his ability to organize and command.
• Nineveh (נִינְוֵה, nînveh): One of the most famous cities of antiquity, later becoming the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire, often referred to as a "great city" elsewhere in the Bible (e.g., Jonah). Its founding here by Nimrod is historically significant for Israel's future.
• Rehoboth-Ir (רְחֹבֹת עִיר, reḥōvōt ʻîr): Means "wide places of the city" or "city of wide streets." It might refer to suburbs or a large district connected to Nineveh, indicating its sprawling nature.
• Calah (כָּלַח, kalaḥ): A major city south of Nineveh, later an important Assyrian capital or royal city (modern Nimrud).
• and Resen (רֶסֶן, resen): Mentioned here only in the Bible, possibly another significant city within this urban complex, though its exact location and remains are debated by archaeologists.
• between Nineveh and Calah (בֵּין נִיןְוֵה וּבֵין כָּלַח, bên nînveh ūvên kālaḥ): Provides a precise geographical anchor for Resen and hints at the overall interconnectedness of these cities as a metropolitan area.
• that is the great city (הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדֹלָה, hî haʻîr haggədōlāh): This phrase sums up the collective urban area formed by Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen. It signifies not just their physical size but their collective importance and possibly a central authority or unified administrative area. This epithet ("great city") foreshadows their later historical significance and role as centers of empire and often, rebellion against God.

Genesis 10 11 Bonus section

The account of Nimrod's kingdom, particularly his expansion and city-building, reflects an early post-Flood aspiration for centralized human power, possibly an echo of the rebellion seen in the Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11), where people also sought to build a city and a tower to "make a name for themselves" rather than spread out. Nimrod's ventures, especially the building of Nineveh, could be viewed as a polemic against the ancient Near Eastern glorification of city-states and powerful kings whose rule often challenged divine authority. These burgeoning urban centers became the nuclei of future oppressive empires that would frequently conflict with the covenant people of God. The mention of "the great city" serves as a narrative link, preparing the reader for later biblical accounts concerning Nineveh and Assyria, which frequently act as agents of God's judgment or represent symbols of human wickedness.

Genesis 10 11 Commentary

Genesis 10:11 continues the narrative of Nimrod, painting a picture of an ambitious empire builder. After establishing his initial kingdom in Shinar, Nimrod actively expands his sphere of influence northward into Assyria, where he founds several strategic cities, notably the future capital, Nineveh. This highlights Nimrod's power, initiative, and the early rise of centralized human government marked by city-building, contrasting with God's directive for humanity to fill and spread across the entire earth. His expansion represents the emergence of a worldly power, independent of divine leading, laying the groundwork for future empires that would challenge God's people and sovereignty, especially the Assyrian Empire, which historically became a rod of divine judgment and then subject to divine judgment itself. The mention of this complex as "the great city" foreshadows its monumental scale and importance as a hub of worldly power and pride.