Bible Commentary

And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same [is] a great city. 12. Resen ] Not yet identified; but conjectured to lie among the mounds which conceal ruins between Nineveh and Nimrud. ( the same is the great city)] This is a note added by the compiler; or, possibly, as Skinner suggests, a gloss, referring … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:12”

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 11. Out of that land, &c.] This verse preserves an historical tradition: (1) that the cities of Assyria were of later origin than those of Babylonia; (2) that they owed their existence to the development of the Babylonian power … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:11”

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 10. the beginning of his kingdom ] Nimrod is represented, not as the founder of the Babylonian cities, but as their king. His four cities are enumerated: 1. Babel, i.e. Babylon, as the Hebrew is rendered … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:10”

He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 9. a mighty hunter before the Lord ] The phrase “before the Lord” is merely descriptive of magnitude, cf. Gen 23:6, “a great prince” (Heb. a prince of God), Jon 3:3, “Nineveh was an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:9”

And Cush begot Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 8 19 (J). Nimrod, Assyria and Babylon: Canaan and Egypt 8 12 (J). Nimrod 8. Cush begat Nimrod ] In connexion with the “sons of Cush” we have here an Israelite tradition that the foundation of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:8”

And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. 7. And the sons of Cush ] The names given in this verse are usually identified with the names of tribes, or places, on the African coast, or on the opposite shores of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:7”

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 6 20. The Sons of Ham 6. The races described as “the sons of Ham” are first traced in the most southerly regions. If the name has any connexion with Kamt, the native name of Egypt, it is noticeable that it is here … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:6”

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. 5. Of these, &c.] It is probable that the text in this verse has suffered. As in Gen 10:20 we find “these are the sons of Ham” and in Gen 10:31 “these … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:5”

And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 4. the sons of Javan ] The names here mentioned are evidently geographical. Javan’s sons are well-known Greek colonies and settlements or communities. This example will serve to illustrate the composition of the genealogical list. Elishah ] Mentioned in Eze 27:7 as a place … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:4”

And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 3. Ashkenaz ] Mentioned in Jer 51:27 along with Ararat; and now generally identified with the region of Armenia. It is worth noticing that the mediaeval Jews explained this name as denoting Germany. Thus the Ashkenazim are the German Jews. Riphath ] In 1Ch 1:6 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 10:3”