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Found at Khorsabad,this eighth century BCstone relief is identified asGilgamesh. The best-known of ancientMesopotamian heroes,

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Who Was Nimrod?

by Dr. David Livingston

"Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on the earth. He was amight hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before

the LORD. " The centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad and Calneh in Shinar.(Genesis 10:8-10) Many consider this to be a positive, complimentary testimony about Nimrod. It is just the opposite! First, a l ittle background study is necessary.

Cultural Connections in the Ancient Near East

Besides the stories of the Creation and Flood in the Bible, thereought to be similar stories on clay tablets found in the cultures near and around the true believers. These tablets may have a reaction,or twisted version, in their accounts of the Creation and Flood. In

the post-Flood genealogical records of Genesis 10, we note that thesons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan. Mizraimbecame the Egyptians. No one is sure where Put went to live. Andit is obvious who the Canaanites were. Cush lived in the "land of Shinar," which most scholars consider to be Sumer. There theydeveloped the first civilization after the Flood. The sons of Shem --the Semites -- were also mixed, to some extent, with theSumerians.

We suggest that Sumerian Kish, the first city established inMesopotamia after the Flood, took its name from the man known in the

Bible as Cush. The first kingdom established after the Flood wasKish, and the name "Kish" appears often on clay tablets. The earlypost-Flood Sumerian king lists (not found in the Bible) say that"kingship descended from heaven to Kish" after the Flood. (TheHebrew name "Cush" was much later moved to present-dayEthiopia as migrations took place from Mesopotamia to other places.)

The Sumerians, very early, developed a religio-politico state whichwas extremely binding on all who lived in it (except for the rulers,who were a law unto themselves). This system was to influence the

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Gilgamesh was king of Uruk in southernMesopotamia. His story isknown in the poeticGilgamesh Epic, but thereis no historical evidencefor his exploits in thestory. He is described aspart god and part man, agreat builder and warrior,

and a wise man in thestory. Not mentioned inthe Bible, the author suggests Gilgamesh is tobe identified with BiblicalNimrod in Genesis 10:8-12.

Nimrod started his kingdom at Babylon (Genesis10:10). Babylon later reached its zenith under Nebuchadnezzar (sixth century BC). Pictured aremudbrick ruins of Nebuchadnezzar's city along withancient wall lines and canals.

Ancient Near East for over 3000 years. Other cultures whichfollowed the Sumerian system were Accad, Babylon, Assyria, andPersia, which became the basis of Greece and Rome's system of rule. Founded by Cush, the Sumerians were very importanthistorically and Biblically.

Was "Nimrod" Godly or Evil?

First, what does thename Nimrod mean?It comes from theHebrew verb marad ,meaning "rebel."

Adding an "n" beforethe "m" it becomes an

infinitive construct, "Nimrod." (see Kautzsch1910: 137 2b; also BDB 1962: 597). Themeaning then is "The Rebel." Thus "Nimrod"

may not be the character's name at all. It ismore likely a derisive term of a type, arepresentative, of a system that is epitomizedin rebellion against the Creator, the one trueGod. Rebellion began soon after the Flood ascivilizations were restored. At that time thisperson became very prominent.

In Genesis 10:8-11 we learn that "Nimrod"established a kingdom. Therefore, one wouldexpect to find also, in the literature of the ancient Near East, a person who was a type, or

example, for other people to follow. And there was. It is a well-known tale, common inSumerian literature, of a man who fits the description. In addition to the Sumerians, theBabylonians wrote about this person; the Assyrians likewise; and the Hittites. Even inPalestine, tablets have been found with this man's name on them. He was obviously themost popular hero in the Ancient Near East.

Part of Nimrod's kingdom (Genesis 10:11), Nineveh along the Tigris River continued to be a major


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The Babylonian Flood Story is toldon the 11th tablet of the GilgameshEpic, almost 200 lines of poetry on 12clay tablets inscribed in cuneiformscript. A number of different versionsof the Gilgamesh Epic have beenfound around the ancient Near East,most dating to the seventh centuryBC. The most complete version camefrom the library of Ashurbanipal atNineveh. Commentators agree that the

story comes from a much earlier period, not too long after the Flood asdescribed in the story.

city in ancient Assyria. Today adjacent to modern Mosul, the ruins of ancient Nineveh are centered ontwo mounds, the acropolis at Kuyunjik and Nebi Yunis (Arabic "Prophet Jonah"). Pictured isSennacherib's "Palace without a rival" on Kuyunjik, constructed at the end of the seventh century BCand excavated by Henry Layard in the early 20th century.

The Gilgamesh Epic

The person we are referring to, found in extra-Biblical

literature, was Gilgamesh. The first clay tablets naminghim were found among the ruins of the temple library of the god Nabu (Biblical Nebo) and the palace library of

Ashurbanipal in Nineveh. Many others have been foundsince in a number of excavations. The author of the besttreatise on the Gilgamesh Epic says,

The date of the composition of the Gilgamesh Epiccan therefore be fixed at about 2000 BC. But thematerial contained on these tablets is undoubtedlymuch older, as we can infer from the mere fact thatthe epic consists of numerous originallyindependent episodes, which, of course, did notspring into existence at the time of the compositionof our poem but must have been current longbefore they were compiled and woven together toform our epic (Heidel 1963: 15).

Yet his arrogance, ruthlessness and depravitywere a subject of grave concern for the citizens of Uruk (his kingdom). They complained to the great

god Anu, and Anu instructed the goddess Aruru tocreate another wild ox, a double of Gilgamesh,who would challenge him and distract his mindfrom the warrior's daughter and the noblemen's spouse,whom it appears he would not leave in peace (Roux 1966: 114).

The Epic of Gilgamesh has some very indecent sections. Alexander Heidel, first translator of the epic, had the decency to translate the vilest parts into Latin. Spieser, however, gave itto us "straight" ( Pritchard 1955: 72). With this kind of literature in the palace, who needspornography? Gilgamesh was a vile, filthy, man. Yet the myth says of him that he was "2/3god and 1/3 man."

Gilgamesh is Nimrod

How does Gilgamesh compare with "Nimrod?"Josephus says of Nimrod,

Now it was Nimrod who excited them to suchan affront and contempt of God. He was thegrandson of Ham, the son of Noah -- a boldman, and of great strength of hand. He






Model of ancient ziggurat.

persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if itwere through his means they were happy, butto believe that it was their own courage whichprocured that happiness. He also graduallychanged the government into tyranny -- seeingno other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constantdependence upon his own power. He also said

he would be revenged on God, if he shouldhave a mind to drown the world again; for thathe would build a tower too high for the watersto be able to reach! and that he would avengehimself on God for destroying their forefathers( Ant . 1: iv: 2)

What Josephus says here is precisely what is found in the Gilgamesh epics. Gilgamesh setup tyranny, he opposed YHVH and did his utmost to get people to forsake Him.

Two of the premiere commentators on the Bible in Hebrew has this to say about Genesis

10:9,

Nimrod was mighty in hunting, and that in opposition to YHVH; not "beforeYHVH" in the sense of according to the will and purpose of YHVH, still less, . . .in a simply superlative sense . . . The name itself, "Nimrod" from marad , "we willrevolt," points to some violent resistance to God . . . Nimrod as a mighty hunter founded a powerful kingdom; and the founding of this kingdom is shown by theverb with vav consecutive, to have been the consequence or result of hisstrength in hunting, so that hunting was intimately connected with theestablishing of the kingdom. Hence, if the expression "a mighty hunter" relatesprimarily to hunting in the literal sense, we must add to the literal meaning thefigurative signification of a "hunter of men" (a trapper of men by stratagem andforce); Nimrod the hunter became a tyrant, a powerful hunter of men (Keil andDelitzsch 1975: 165).

"in the face of YHVH can only mean "in defiance of YHVH," as Josephus andthe Targums understand it (op. cit.: 166).

And the proverb must have arisen when other daring and rebellious menfollowed in Nimrod's footsteps and must have originated with those who saw insuch conduct an act of rebellion against the God of salvation, in other words,

with the possessors of the divine promise of grace (loc. cit.).

After the Flood there was, atsome point, a breakaway fromYHVH. Only eight peopledescended from the Ark. Thosepeople worshipped YHVH. Butat some point an influentialperson became opposed toYHVH and gathered others tohis side. I suggest that Nimrod






Often attributed to Nimrod, the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)was not a Jack and the Beanstalk type of construction, where peoplewere trying to build a structure to get into heaven. Instead, it is bestunderstood as an ancient ziggurat (Assyrian "mountaintop"), as theone pictured here from ancient Ur of the Chaldees, Abraham'shometown (Genesis 11:31). A ziggurat was a man-made structurewith a temple at its top, built to worship the host of heaven.

is the one who did it. Cain haddone similarly before the Flood,founding a new city andreligious system.

Our English translation of theHebrew of Genesis 10:8-10 isweak. The author of this

passage of Scripture will notcall Gilgamesh by his name andhonor him, but is going to callhim by a derisive name, whathe really is -- a rebel. Thereforewe should translate Genesis10:8-10 to read,

Cush begat Nimrod; hebegan to be a tyrant in theearth. He was a tyrannical

hunter in opposition to theLord. Thus it is said, "Nimrod the tyrannical opponent of YHVH."

Likewise, Gilgamesh was a man who took control by his own strength. In Genesis 10Nimrod is presented as a type of him. Nimrod's descendants were the ones who beganbuilding the tower in Babel where the tongues were changed. Gilgamesh is a type of earlycity founders. (Page numbers below are from Heidel 1963)

He is a "shepherd" .................. page 18From Uruk ............................. page 17 (Kramer 1959: 31 calls Uruk, Erech.)

A giant ................................... page 17 (11 cubits)

Builds cities ............................ page 17Vile man "takes women" ......... page 18Mighty hunter ......................... page 18

Gilgamesh Confronts YHVH!

The name of YHVH rarely appears in extra-Biblical literature in the Ancient Near East.Therefore we would not expect to find it in the Gilgamesh epic. But why should the God of the Jews rarely be mentioned? The Hebrew Bible is replete with the names of other gods.

On the other hand, the nations surely knew of Him even though they had no respect for Him. If so, how might His Name appear in their literature, if at all? The name of YHVH, in aculture which is in rebellion against His rule, would most likely be in a derisive form, not inits true form. Likewise, the writers of Scripture would deride the rebels.

Putting the Bible and the Gilgamesh Epic Together

The Gilgamesh Epic describes the first "God is Dead" movement. In the Epic, the hero is avile, filthy, perverted person, yet he is presented as the greatest, strongest, hero that ever lived. (Heidel 1963: 18). So that the one who sent the Flood will not trouble them anymore,

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This face supposedly representsHuwawa who, according to theGilgamesh's Epic, sent the Flood onthe earth. According to the story,Huwawa (Humbaba in the Assyrian

version) was killed by Gilgamesh andhis half-man/half-beast friend, Enkidu.The author suggests Huwawa is theancient pagan perspective of Yahweh(YHVH), the God of the Bible. About 3inches (7.5 cm), this mask is dated toaround the sixth century BC. Of anunknown provenance, it is now in theBritish Museum.

Gilgamesh sets out to kill the perpetrator. He takes with him a friend who is a monstroushalf-man, half-animal -- Enkidu. Together they go on a long journey to the Cedar Mountainto find and destroy the monster who sent the Flood. Gilgamesh finds him and finallysucceeds in cutting off the head of the creature whose name is "Huwawa" ("Humbaba" inthe Assyrian version; see Heidel 1963: 34ff).

Is there a connection with the Gilgamesh epic and Genesis 10? Note what Gilgamesh saysto Enkidu, the half-man, half-beast, who accompanied him on his journey, found in Tablet

111, lines 147 - 150.

"If I fall," Gilgamesh says, "I will establish a name for myself. 'Gilgamesh isfallen,' they will say, 'in combat with terrible Huwawa.'"

But the next five lines are missing from all tablets found so far! Can we speculate on whatthey say? Let's try . . . We suggest that those five lines include,

"But if I win,.. they will say, Gilgamesh, the mighty vanquisher of Huwawa!"

Why do we say that? Because Genesis 10:9 gives us the portion missing from the

Gilgamesh tablets. Those lines include... "it is said, Nimrod (or Gilgamesh) the mightyvanquisher of YHVH." This has to be what is missing from all the clay tablets of theGilgamesh story. The Gilgamesh Epic calls him Huwawa; the Bible calls Him YHVH.

Heidel, speaking of the incident as it is found on Tablet Vsays,

All we can conclude from them (the lost lines) isthat Gilgarnesh and Enkidu cut off the head of Humbaba (or Huwawa) and that the expedition hada successful issue (ending) (1963: 47).

The missing lines from the Epic are right there in theBible!

Because of the parallels between Gilgamesh andNimrod, many scholars agree that Gilgamesh is Nimrod.Continuing with Gilgamesh's fable, he did win, he didvanquish Huwawa and took his head. Therefore hecould come back to Uruk and other cities and tell thepeople "not to worry about YHVH anymore, he is dead. Ikilled him over in the Lebanon mountains. So just live

however you like, I will be your king and take care of you."

There are still other parallels between the Bible and theGilgamesh epic: "YaHVeH" has a somewhat similar sound to "Huwawa." Gilgamesh did just as the "sons of god" in Genesis 6 did. The "sons of god" forcibly tookmen's wives. The Epic says that is precisely whatGilgamesh did. The Bible calls Nimrod a tyrant, and Gilgamesh was a tyrant. There was aFlood in the Bible, there is a flood in the Epic. Cush is mentioned in the Bible, Kish in theEpic. Erech is mentioned in Scripture, Uruk was Gilgamesh's city. Gilgamesh made a trip to






see the survivor of the Flood. This was more likely Ham than Noah, since "Nimrod" wasHam's grandson! Historically, Gilgamesh was of the first dynasty of Uruk. As Jacobsenpoints out (1939: 157), kings before Gilgamesh may be fictional, but not likely. The fact thatthe Gilgamesh Epic also contains the Deluge story would indicate a close link with eventsimmediately following the Flood. S.N. Kramer says,

A few years ago one would have strongly doubted his (historical) existence . . .we now have the certitude that the time of Gilgamesh corresponds to the

earliest period of Mesopotamian history. (Kramer 1959: 117)

Originally established by Nimrod (Genesis 10:11), and today known as Nimrud,Calah became an important city in Iraq. This is an artist's reconstruction of the interior of Tiglath-pileser III's palace (late seventh century BC).

What a contrast Psalm 2 is compared with the Gilgamesh Epic!

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earthtake their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his

Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukesthem in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed myKing on Zion, my holy hill." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said tome, "you are my Son, today I have become your Father, Ask of me, and I will

make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. Youwill rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."Therefore, you kings, be wise; he warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve theLORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry andyou be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessedare all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2)

Bibliography





Brown, F., Driver, S.R., and Briggs, C.A.(abbreviated to BDB)1962 A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament . Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Cassuto, U.1964 A Commentary on the Book of Genesis. 2 Vols., Jerusalem: Magnes.

Frankfort, R.1948 Kingship and the Gods. Chicago: University Press.

Heidel, A.1963 The Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels. Chicago: University Press.

Jacobsen, T.1939 The Sumerian Kinglist. Chicago: University Press.

Josephus1998 Jewish Antiquities. Books I-III, Loeb Classics, Cambridge MA: Harvard UniversityPress.

Kautzsch, E., ed.1910 Genesius' Hebrew Grammar . Oxford: Clarendon.

Kramer, S. N., ed.1959 History Begins at Sumer. Garden City NY: Doubleday.

Keil, C. F., and Delitzsch, P.1975 Commentary on the Old Testament., Vol. I, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Pritchard, J.1969 Ancient Near Eastern Texts and the Old Testament. 3rd ed., Princeton: University

Press.

Roux, G.1992 Ancient Iraq. 3rd ed., Harmondsworth, Middlesex, UK: Penguin.

Thomas, D.W.1958 Documents From Old Testament Times. New York: Thomas Nelson and Sons.

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