NIMROD (tlf) ; Sept. Nctip(455 ; Josephus, Ne(3pthans), a son of Cush, the eldest son of Ham (Gen. x. 8-ro). Five sons of Cush are enumerated in verse 7 in the more usual manner of this chapter ; but a change of phrase introduces Nimrod. This difference may indicate that while, in relation to the other five, the names have a national and geo graphical reference, this appellation is exclusively personal. It is strictly an abstract noun, signifying contempt, rebellion, apostasy, impiety : but ' it is not to be thought surprising, and it is a thing which takes place in all languages, that a noun which, in respect of its form, is properly an abstract, becomes in the use of speech a concrete ; and con versely' (Gesemus, Lehrgebdua'e, p. 483). But such concretes usually carry a strengthened idea of the abstract, a kind of impersonation of the quality. Therefore Nimrod denotes intensively, the extremely impious rebel. Hence we conceive that it was not his original proper name, but was affixed to him afterwards, perhaps even after his death, as a characteristic appellative.
If we assume that the earlier part of the book of Genesis consists of several independent and com plete compositions, of the highest antiquity and authority, marked by some differences of style, and having clear indications of commencement in each instance, a reason presents itself for the citation of a proverbial phrase in ch. x. 9. The single instance of minute circumstantiality, in so brief a relation, seems to imply that the writer lived near the age of Nimrod, while his history was still a matter of traditional notoriety, and the comparison of any hero with him was a familiar form of speech. If we place ourselves in such a point of time—suppose the age succeeding Nimrod, which might be the third century after the Deluge—we may see how naturally the origination of a common phrase would rise in the writer's mind ; and that a motive of usefulness would be suggested with it. But both these ideas involve that of nearness to the time ; a period in which the country traditions were yet fresh, and an elucidation of them would be accept able and consonant to general feeling. An ap
parently just reason thus accrues for the insertion of this little and insulated portion of personal history in the midst of a tablet of the descent of nations. A close translation of the whole passage is this : ' And Cush begat Nimrod : he began [SIT', opened a course of action, led the way] to being a hero in the earth [or in the land] : he was a hero at the chase in the presence of Jehovah ; on which account the saying is, Like Nimrod, the hero of the chase, in the presence of Jehovah. And the chief [city] of his dominion was Babel ; and [he founded] Ezek and Akkad, and Kaineh, in the land of Shinar.' The common rendering, `a mighty hunter,' is doubtless equivalent to this literal translation. The adjunct, `in the presence of Jehovah,' occurs many times in the Hebrew Scriptures, and it generally conveys the idea of favour and approbation, as we in our language employ the word countenance. Hence some have supposed that here the expres sion is used in a good sense, and denotes that, by the special aid and blessing of God's providence, the bravery and skill of this hero were remarkably successful, in attacking and destroying the ferocious animals which had greatly multiplied. The Jewish commentator Abarbauel, with other Rabbinical writers, `interpret those words favourably, saying that Nimrod was qualified by a peculiar dexterity and strength for the chase, and that he offered to God [portions] of the prey that he took ; and several of the moderns are of opinion that this passage is not to be understood of his tyrannical oppressions, or of hunting of men, but of beasts' (Ancient Univ. Hist., vol. i. p. 276, 8vo ed.) Hence they have contended that we have no reason for regarding Nimrod as any other than a benefactor to his country, and, in that view, a man acceptable and well-pleasing to Jehovah.