The origin of Nimrod

The Mighty Hunter named Nimrod receives a brief mention after the flood in Genesis 6-9 as a great-grandson of Noah, grandson of Ham. His uncles’ names appear more like nations than literal individuals, as seen in Genesis 10:6: “the sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.”

He is mentioned as the first builder of the major centers in the known world from two millennia BC, continuing into the Hellenistic period. Genesis 10:10-12 states: “The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh, in Shinar. From that land, he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah—which is the great city.”

This section in Israel’s prehistory closely resembles the Sumerian Kings List, written around the Old Babylonian period (2000-1600 BCE). Both are lists of post-flood rulers of cities. Mesopotamia played an enormous role in the development of the Genesis creation stories—Adam and Eve, the flood, and now the post-flood table of nations, which includes the Tower of Babel resembling a Babylonian ziggurat.

Our purpose is to explore the mythical, legendary, or historical antecedents to biblical characters. In the case of Nimrod, leading experts in the world struggle to pinpoint his sources with certainty. Given this, we should approach the subject with caution.

Nimrod’s Negative Reputation

When one thinks of Nimrod today, it often evokes the image of a foolish or inept person. This derogatory usage likely stems from the negative reputation given to this post-flood hero. As Professor David M. Carr notes in his “Genesis 1-11” exegetical commentary, this famed hunter fits well as a primeval figure that might originate in the Mesopotamian ideal of kingship, prominently featuring boasts about kings’ hunting prowess.

Many have interpreted Nimrod’s name as meaning “we will rebel,” seeing it as an indicator that he is viewed negatively. However, the text itself, especially the part highlighting his status as a “warrior of the hunt before Yahweh,” does not seem to presuppose such a negative judgment. Instead, Nimrod stands as a successor to the warriors of old mentioned in Genesis 6:4. His fame as a warrior of the hunt before Yahweh contrasts with Cain, who “went out from the presence of Yahweh” (Genesis 4:16).

Nimrod appears to have gone down in the Hall of Shame when he may have been understood by the Genesis authors as a hero figure contrasting with Cain. Cain was the first person to build a city but was also seen as a murderer. Was Nimrod denigrated because he was a giant or Titan in this mythical prehistory?

The Sumerian Kings List documents insane lifetimes by ancient kings, similar to the genealogies in Genesis 4, 5, and later 10. Adapa gets a shout-out in that Sumerian Kings List, reminding readers of Enoch ascending to heaven. Demuzid, or Tammuz, later known as the consort of Ishtar, also appears, reminding us of Oannes coming up from the sea, giving divination, etc. This Tammuz even gets a month named after him in the Hebrew calendar, derived from the Akkadian and Babylonian calendar. Continuing in this Kings List, we get Gilgamesh soon after Demuzid. It shouldn’t be surprising if these god-kings played a role in influencing much later biblical traditions, such as that of Nimrod.

Nimrod’s Origin

Starting with the famous publication of the Anchor Bible Dictionary under Gilgamesh, we have a summary of this biblical character by a Harvard expert, Peter Machinist, Hancock Professor of Hebrew and other Oriental Languages Emeritus. He states that Nimrod, the enigmatic figure mentioned briefly in Genesis 10 as a descendant of Noah, holds a compelling place in ancient texts. Described as a mighty hunter before the Lord and considered the original king of Babylon, Nimrod’s inclusion in the genealogical list bears a striking resemblance to the Sumerian Kings List from the Old Babylonian period.

Unraveling the identity of Nimrod has been a topic of much debate, with three main approaches explored:

1. Nimrod as a God: Some scholars propose that Nimrod was a god, possibly the Mesopotamian Ninurta or Marduk.
2. Nimrod as a Legendary Hero: Another approach suggests that Nimrod was a legendary Mesopotamian hero, potentially Gilgamesh, Lugalbanda, or even an eponym parallel to the Greek traditions of Ninos.
3. Nimrod as a Historical Figure: The third approach seeks to identify Nimrod with historical figures, including Sargon of Akkad, the first of Assyria, or even Egyptian pharaohs like Nemrutash or Aramaean rulers like Ben-Hadad.

The Hebrew rendering of Nimrod may stem from a Hebrew corruption and reinterpretation of divine names like Ninurta or Marduk. One possible suggestion is that Nimrod is an abbreviation of a name formed with Ninurta or Marduk, similar to Tukulti-Ninurta I.

Upon closer examination, the biblical portrayal of Nimrod draws upon multiple Mesopotamian traditions. References to Babylon, Uruk, and Akkad suggest ties to Babylonia. Nimrod’s rule over Assyria reflects the long-standing cultural superiority of Babylonia over Assyria, pointing to a period before 2000 BC under the Akkadian or Ur III dynasties, or around 610 to 539 BC during the Neo-Babylonian Chaldean rule.

Moreover, the association of Cush, Nimrod’s father, with the Kassites and the mention of Shinar possibly reflecting Shanghara—a designation of Kassite Babylonia—indicates the utilization of Babylonian traditions originating in the later second millennium BC. Assyria also plays a role in the biblical depiction of Nimrod, particularly during the Neo-Assyrian period from the 9th to 7th centuries BC when Assyria dominated Babylonia. This connection is evident in Micah’s identification of the land of Nimrod with Assyria.

While the diverse traditions surrounding Nimrod make it difficult to pinpoint one specific individual he represents, it is clear that he functions as a legendary and composite eponym of Mesopotamia. The parallels between Mesopotamian god Ninurta and Nimrod in Genesis are somewhat speculative, but several scholars think the connection is strong enough.

Ninurta and Nimrod

Let’s explore the fascinating connection between Ninurta and Nimrod. Ninurta was a revered deity in ancient Mesopotamia, associated with diverse domains such as farming, healing, hunting, law, scribes, and war. Initially worshiped as an agricultural and healing god, he later took on a warrior persona as Mesopotamia became more militarized, while still retaining his agricultural attributes. As the son of Enlil, the chief god, Ninurta held great significance, and his main temple Eshumesha in Nippur was a revered center of worship.

King Gudea of Lagash even rebuilt Ninurta’s temple in Lagash, demonstrating his devotion. The Assyrians also held Ninurta in high regard, particularly as a formidable warrior. King Ashurnasirpal II built a grand temple for Ninurta in Calah, which became the deity’s primary cult center.

Many scholars believe that Ninurta served as the inspiration for the biblical figure Nimrod mentioned in Genesis 10:8-12 as a mighty hunter. While the exact transformation of the name Ninurta into Nimrod in Hebrew remains somewhat elusive, the two figures share similar functions and attributes, making Ninurta the most plausible etymology for Nimrod.

Interestingly, the ruins of Calah eventually came to be known in Arabic as Nimrud due to their association with Ninurta in later Old Testament accounts. Specifically, in 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38, King Sennacherib of Assyria is said to have been assassinated by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer in the temple of Nisroch, which is likely a scribal error for Nimrod. Scholars consider this explanation the most likely. If Nisroch indeed refers to Ninurta, then Sennacherib’s murder likely occurred in Ninurta’s temple in Calah.

Although the Book of Genesis portrays Nimrod favorably as the first post-flood king and builder of cities, the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible presents him as a giant and mistranslates the Hebrew phrase meaning “before Yahweh” as “in opposition against God.” Consequently, Nimrod became associated with idolatry, embodying the archetypal idolater. Could this be the origin of his demise as an infamous enemy of God in history?

Early Jewish Midrash works, as described by the philosopher Philo in his Questiones, depict Nimrod as the instigator of the Tower of Babel and persecutor of the Jewish patriarch Abraham for his refusal to participate in the project. Saint Augustine of Hippo refers to Nimrod as a deceiver, oppressor, and destroyer of earthborn creatures in his book The City of God.

The parallels between the Mesopotamian god Ninurta and Nimrod in Genesis are somewhat speculative, but several scholars think the connection is strong enough. Both are mighty warriors associated with warrior-like qualities and prowess in battle. Ninurta is a powerful god of war and hunting in Mesopotamian mythology, while Nimrod is described as a mighty hunter in Genesis.

Ninurta is credited with the founding of

several cities, including Nippur, while Nimrod is associated with the founding of cities like Babylon and Uruk in the biblical narrative. Ninurta is often considered the son of Enlil, one of the chief gods in the Mesopotamian pantheon. Similarly, Nimrod is described as a descendant of Ham, one of Noah’s sons in Genesis. Both figures are connected to the post-flood world.

Ninas

Ninas, the legendary founder of Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria, remains an enigmatic figure. Greek historians of the Hellenistic period and beyond associate him with the city, but his exact identity in Assyrian records remains uncertain. Some propose a link to the revered deity Ninurta.

As we explore this historical puzzle, Ninas becomes a symbol of the enduring spirit that built civilizations and fueled our quest for knowledge. In the shadows of time, his story intertwines with myth and history, leaving us captivated by the mysteries of the past. Greek tradition, as well as biblical tradition, both have mythical figures who are kings that founded and built the great Mesopotamian cities, temples, towers, etc.

Many early accomplishments are attributed to Ninas, such as training the first hunting dogs and taming horses. Could this overlap with the mighty hunter Nimrod? The decipherment of a vast quantity of cuneiform texts has allowed modern Assyriologists to piece together a more accurate history of Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, Assyria, and Chaldea. Ninas is not attested in any of the extensive king lists compiled by the Mesopotamians themselves, nor mentioned in any Mesopotamian literature, and it is possible that this Hellenic creation was inspired by the deeds of one or more real kings of Assyria or Assyro-Babylonian mythology, just like Nimrod.

Similarly, the biblical character of Nimrod is not attested anywhere in Assyrian, Babylonian, Akkadian, or Sumerian literature or kings lists but is believed by many scholars to have been inspired by one or more real kings.

What is the Truth?

Russell Gmirkin is an independent researcher and scholar who has published books and articles and lectured at academic conferences for 20 years. He is currently known for his innovative work on the late date and Greek sources of the Hebrew Bible and on the Dead Sea Scrolls. In what follows, you’re going to find Nimrod parallels but also a case made by Gmirkin suggesting that Genesis authors made use of Berossus, putting its final composition in the Hellenistic period.

Nimrod and Gilgamesh

Gmirkin delves into the fascinating character of Nimrod and sheds light on the topic of Genesis composition. His insights are worth considering, and here’s a summary of his points, which I find quite enlightening.

According to E.A. Spicer’s theory, there are indeed noteworthy similarities between Ninus and Nimrod despite the flaws in Spicer’s argument. It becomes evident that the Nimrod story in Genesis incorporates elements from the Ninus legend as documented by Ctesias in his Persica. Ctesias, a Greek physician to the Achaemenid King Artaxerxes II, lived in the 5th century BC and wrote extensively, with one of his notable works dating around 400 BCE.

In these legends, Ninus and Nimrod were both ancient kings of Mesopotamia, ruling over Assyria and Babylonia and linked to the establishment of Nineveh. Ctesias’s account described them as hunters. While there are significant similarities, important distinctions exist between the two narratives. In Ctesias’s version, Ninus is an Assyrian conqueror, and it is Semiramis, an Assyrian queen, who founds Babylon. In contrast, Genesis portrays Nimrod as a Babylonian king who holds authority over both Babylon and Assyria.

The Genesis accounts reflect a Babylonian tradition that rejects the Ninus legend and emphasizes Babylon’s preeminence. The source of the Nimrod story can be traced to Berossus, who challenged Ctesias’s depiction of Mesopotamian history. Berossus criticized the notion that the Assyrians founded Babylon and aimed to rectify misconceptions surrounding Semiramis’s reign.

Interestingly, the Genesis narrative echoes Berossus’s perspective by presenting Nimrod as the founder of Babylon before establishing Nineveh. Berossus’s work, the Babylonica, aligns closely with the Nimrod story and its pro-Babylonian standpoint. The accurate depiction of Babylonian and Assyrian cities in the Nimrod accounts aligns with Berossus’s expertise in Mesopotamian geography. Consequently, it is plausible that Berossus serves as the source for the Nimrod story in Genesis, reflecting his polemics against the Ninus legend and Ctesias’s account.

To sum it up, Ninus and Nimrod represent competing traditions aiming to establish the pedigree of Assyria and Babylon. While Ninus is a legendary figure asserting the primacy of Assyria with Nineveh as its initial stronghold, the Genesis account aligns entirely with Berossus by attributing Babylon as the first established city. Berossus at that time stood as the lone author supporting this viewpoint. Gmirkin’s argument raises the question of whether Genesis directly used Berossus or if they drew from a shared tradition.

Nimrod vs Gilgamesh

There are several parallels between Gilgamesh and Nimrod. Both are depicted as mighty heroes or warriors. Gilgamesh is described as a powerful and fearless warrior in the Epic of Gilgamesh, while Nimrod is portrayed as a mighty hunter in Genesis. Both share a similar divine lineage—Gilgamesh is said to be the product of a union between gods and a mortal woman, just like the giants mentioned in Genesis 6:4. Similarly, Nimrod is associated with the giants and is described as a descendant of Ham, one of Noah’s sons.

Gilgamesh and Nimrod are known for their hunting prowess. Gilgamesh is depicted as a skilled hunter who can track down and slay dangerous creatures like the Bull of Heaven. Similarly, Nimrod is renowned for his hunting skills and is celebrated as a mighty hunter in Genesis. Both figures are associated with the founding of great cities—Gilgamesh with Uruk and Nimrod with Babylon and Uruk.

Both are connected to the post-flood world. Gilgamesh is depicted as a king ruling in the aftermath of the flood, and Nimrod is portrayed as a prominent figure in the generation following the deluge.

Nimrod vs Makar

Here are some other plausible antecedents to the Nimrod stories that have been proposed by scholars throughout history.

Makar: A legendary figure from Sumerian mythology presents intriguing parallels that make him a plausible antecedent to Nimrod. Both Makar and Nimrod are depicted as powerful rulers associated with the city of Uruk, known for their ambitious construction projects and their role as builders of cities and temples. Makar, like Nimrod, exemplifies the archetype of a great leader and the founder of civilization, attributed with establishing the foundations of a prosperous society. The similarities in their roles as influential kings and builders, along with their association with the city of Uruk, suggest a potential connection between Makar and Nimrod.

Asher

Asher: The eponymous founder of the Assyrian Empire presents a compelling case as a potential antecedent to Nimrod. Both Asher and Nimrod are associated with the region of Mesopotamia and hold prominent roles in the establishment of powerful kingdoms. Asher is revered as the progenitor of the Assyrian people and is often depicted as a mighty warrior and conqueror. Similarly, Nimrod is portrayed as a powerful ruler who establishes dominion over Babylon and Assyria. The link between Asher and Nimrod is further strengthened by their shared association with Nineveh, as both figures are connected to the founding or development of this significant city.

Hercules

Hercules: The legendary hero of Greek mythology presents an interesting possibility as an antecedent to the character of Nimrod, especially if you factor in Gmirkin’s later dating of the composition of the Pentateuch. Both Hercules and Nimrod are renowned for their exceptional strength and prowess as mighty warriors and hunters. They are celebrated for their feats of heroism, battling formidable creatures and undertaking perilous quests. Both figures enjoy a significant degree of divine ancestry, with Hercules being the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Nimrod being associated with the gods as a mighty hunter. The parallel between Hercules and Nimrod extends to their roles as founders of influential cities or civilizations. Hercules is attributed with the establishment of numerous cities, while Nimrod is connected with the founding of Babylon and Nineveh. The presence of these shared characteristics suggests the possibility of cross-cultural influences or archetypal elements being passed down through different mythological traditions.

Sargon

Sargon: The legendary ruler of the Akkadian Empire in ancient Mesopotamia presents a compelling case as a potential antecedent to Nimrod. Both Sargon and Nimrod are depicted as powerful and influential leaders who played significant roles in the foundation and expansion of their respective kingdoms. Sargon is renowned for his military conquests and the establishment of the first empire in history, while Nimrod is associated with the founding of Babylon and Nineveh, two prominent cities in ancient Mesopotamia. Both figures are depicted as powerful warriors and skilled hunters, highlighting their prowess in combat and their close connection to the natural world. Additionally, Sargon and Nimrod both possess narratives that blur the lines between historical and mythical elements, with legends and embellishments surrounding their lives and accomplishments. The parallels between Sargon and Nimrod suggest the possibility of shared cultural influences or archetypal motifs in the ancient Near East, where stories and legends could be adapted and reimagined over time.

Let’s not leave out the historical rulers of Mesopotamia, such as the Sumerian kings, Assyrian monarchs, and Babylonian leaders. These rulers are known for their political power and influence, leaving a significant mark on the region’s history and collective memory. Their accomplishments and conquests, as well as their roles in the foundation and expansion of cities and empires, bear resemblances to the legendary attributes associated with Nimrod. The narratives surrounding these historical rulers often include elements of heroic feats, divine connections, and the establishment of prominent cities. It is plausible that over time, the historical accounts of these rulers became intertwined with mythical and legendary elements, leading to the creation of larger-than-life figures like Nimrod.