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No.31.
Babel
(Gen. 10: 8 - 12; 11: 1 - 9).
pp. 64 - 69
In the midst of the list of names given in Gen. 10: we are arrested by one or two
digressions. One son of Cush became so great that his name and prowess became a
proverb, "Wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord"
(verse nine). The other digressions in this chapter are the references to the Canaanites
(18, 19); the statement that Shem was the father of all the children of Eber (21); the
division of the earth in the days of Peleg (25); and the dwelling of the sons of Joktan
(29, 30). We propose in this article to consider the place that Nimrod occupies in the
outworking of the purpose of God.
The name Nimrod is from the Hebrew marad, to rebel. The Merodach of the Bible
(Jer. 50: 2) is allied with the name Nimrod. The Accadian Merodach was called Amaruduk
or Amarudu, and became in Assyro-Babylonian, Marduk. The suffix uk is dropped in the
Hebrew, and the prefix ni, assimilating the name `to a certain extent to the initial forms of
the Hebrew verbs', was added giving us the Hebrew name Ni-marad or Nimrod. We
would not say that all error is counterfeit truth, simply because our limited knowledge
would not justify the assertion, but we do say that much error, vital error, is counterfeit
truth, and this is seen in the lies of Satan spoken in Eden and incarnate in Nimrod.
Merodach (i.e. Nimrod deified) is the creator and saviour in this unholy parody. He it
is who undertakes to do battle with Tiamat, and to him it was spoken, `Fear not, and
make merry, for thou bruise the head of Tiamat'. Tiamat may be `the deep' (Heb. tehom)
personified. Here is one of the primal declarations concerning the Seed diverted from its
true object. Merodach, as a result of his decision to become the avenger and the
redeemer, is exalted above all gods. `Among the high gods thou art highest; thy
command is the command of Anu, O Merodach, our avenger, we give thee sovereignty
over the entire universe. Thy weapon will ever be irresistible. May Merodach, the
mighty overseer of the heavenly spirits, exalt thy head'.
What is true concerning the usurpation of the glory and offices of Christ in this satanic
scheme, is true also of all that is associated with his `gospel'. A complete religion
dealing with life, death, and judgment, salvation by works, penances and rites, a
Christless creed, and the very mystery of iniquity. With Nimrod, Babylon and all that
Babylon stands for are associated together. "Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded,
Merodach is broken in pieces" (Jer. 50: 2).
Nimrod, the rebel, is the first one that Scripture records as founding a kingdom. "The
beginning of his kingdom was Babel." Up to this time an earthly king had been
unknown; how suggestive of the character and hidden purpose of human kingdoms it is
that the first king was a rebel and the first kingdom began at Babylon! That the line of
Divine purpose was to flow and develop through Shem is evident by a comparison of the