Nimrod in the Bible

Nimrod was a son of Cush, grandson of Ham, and great-grandson of Noah. Genesis 10:8–10 describes him as a mighty hunter with a kingdom in Shinar. The World English Bible lists Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh as its first centers.

Nimrod is often connected with the Hebrew root marad, “to rebel,” producing explanations such as “rebel” or “we will rebel.” The exact etymology remains uncertain, however, and Genesis gives no naming speech that defines the name.

Modern dictionaries record “nimrod” as an informal insult meaning “idiot” or “jerk,” as well as an older word for a hunter. These are later English uses of a biblical name, not translations of the name’s Hebrew meaning. The slang does not tell us what Genesis thought of Nimrod.

Genesis describes Nimrod as a mighty hunter whose kingdom began in Shinar, including Babel. In Genesis 10:11, the World English Bible continues with him going into Assyria and building cities. The King James Version instead names Asshur as the one who went out and built them.

The phrase marks Nimrod as a famous or exceptional hunter in Yahweh’s sight or presence. Some interpreters understand a defiant nuance, but the Hebrew wording does not by itself explicitly say that he hunted people or opposed God.

The Bible never directly says so. Genesis 10 places Babel at the beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom, and Genesis 11 next tells the tower story in the land of Shinar, but the tower builders are described collectively and Nimrod is not named. The direct connection comes from later tradition.

Genesis does not directly call Nimrod evil, a tyrant, or a rebel against God. Later Jewish and Christian traditions often portray him negatively and connect him with the Tower of Babel, but those claims should be distinguished from the brief biblical description.

The Bible does not record Nimrod’s death, age, or burial. Stories that connect his death with Esau or other figures come from later traditions rather than Genesis or 1 Chronicles.

The Bible names neither a wife nor any children of Nimrod. Later legends supply additional family relationships, but they are not stated in the biblical genealogies.

Nimrod’s short profile teaches readers to separate a brief biblical text from a large body of later legend, to handle power and reputation carefully, and to avoid turning uncertain word origins or narrative connections into explicit claims of Scripture.