Genesis — Chapter 10

Nemrod.] To this Nemrod the sonne of Chus, first builder and King of Babylon, Iosephus, S. Epiphanius, S. Hierom, S. Augustin, and generally al ancient writers ascribe the first tyrannie, and first setting vp of an earthlie citie of Babylon, opposite to the Citie of God after the flood. He was a Valiant, or rather a Violent and cruel hunter, a giant hunter (faith S. Augustin, according to the Septuagint Interpreters) who by falshood and force brought manie vnder his dominion. For he stirred vp pride (faith Iosephus) and contempt of God in men, auouching that they were not beholding to God for present felicitie, but to their owne vertue; and so supposing men would fall from God to him, if he offered himselfe a leader and helper against a new flood, by litle and litle drew al to tyrannie. He was otherwise called Saturnus, and was at length amongst others accounted a God. After him his sonne Belus Iupiter raigned 65 yeares, and then succeeded Ninus the first King of the Assirians.

Assur builded Niniue.] Here is great difficultie and much dispute amongst writers, who this Assur is. Briefly, we may either say with Iosephus and S. Augustin, that Assur the sonne of Sem built a citie, which afterwards Ninus of Chams race enlarged, enriched, and changing the name called it Ninum: or els that this word Assur here signifieth (as 4. Reg. 15. Psal. 81. Esaie 10. & 31.) the King of Assirians, to wit Ninus the sonne of Belus, who as al histories greeke and barbarous report (faith S. Hierom) was the first that raigned ouer al Asia, and among the Assirians built Ninum a citie of his owne name, which the Hebrewes cal Niniue. He set vp the Monarchie of the Assirians, called the golden Kingdom, which stood 1240. yeares: and made his father Belus to be honoured for a God. To whom the Babylonians, as Pilate testifieth, first erected statuas, altars, and temples. Of this Belus or Bel of Babylon were also deriued other false Gods, as Belial the God of Libertines, Beelphegor God of the Moabites, Beelzebub of the Acharonites, Baal in Samaria, Baalim amongst the Philistims, and the like in other nations.

The Nations.] How manie Nations & tongs were in the world immediately after the towre of Babylon, is more commonly supposed then cleerly shewed by old or late writers. Only it seemeth certaine and euident, that there were iust as manie tongs as Nations. But to find precisely (as the common opinion holdeth) 72, is hard. For in this chapter, where they would count this number, are not mentioned so manie. Neuertheles, if we adde certaine that began distinct Nations afterwards, til Iacob with his children went into Aegypt; in whom only the Hebrew Nation and tong continued to Christs time, the number wil come right. Of Iapheth were borne 7 sonnes chiefe of Nations. Of Cham by his first sonne Chus were 6 nephewes Princes of Nations. And Nemrod, besides his Kingdom of Babylon, raised vp other 6. By his second sonne Mesraim came 8 nations, Chams third sonne Phut made only one nation. And Chanaan his sonnes made 11 more. Of Sem came the chiefe and principal Nation the Hebrewes. These are al that are named in this place: to wit, of Iapheth 2, of Cham 33, and of Sem 21, which make in al 66, whereunto if we adioyne Nachor (Abrahams brother) Moab, and Ammon (Lots sonnes) also Ismael (Abrahams eldest sonne) and his issue by Cetura, and finally Esau (Iacobs brother) who made 6 more distinct nations, the whole number is 72.