The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth Two Parentheses

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth Key to understanding Genesis 10 and 11 is found in Genesis 9:25-27. Noah’s three sons eventually inhabit all the earth. Therefore, the earth is divided into three segments of people from whom all are descended.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth Genesis 10 and 11 give us the history of the post-flood world. Chapter 11 predates much of Chapter 10 and is a commentary on it. Chapter 10:8-12 and Chapter 11:1-9 are parentheses. These parentheses show us the ways of men in this new world.

Genesis 9:25-27 (NASB) 25 So he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.” 26  He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. 27  “May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.”

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth The first son – Japheth From Japheth come the Indo-European peoples. This includes India, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the western borders of Europe. We now know that this people group migrated into the Americas. Two language groups developed – eastern or satem division and the western or centrum division. These people eventually cover a large portion of the earth.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth The third son – Ham (warrior states) Curse of Ham was to be placed on Cush. Cush is the Bible’s name for Ethiopia and become descendants from Africa. Mizraim is associated with Egypt and ultimately the Orient. Canaan is the father of various tribal groups that settle the land eventually given to Israel.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth The second son – Shem Notice once again, it is the second son from whom the line of the Messiah will come. Shem’s descendants are the peoples of the middle east, including the promised land, east of Mesopotamia and Assyria. Nimrod invades these areas and the people mix to become offspring of Shem and Ham. These people become the Persians and Babylonians

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Divisions of the Earth Four Great Truths from all of this There is one God to whom their roots bear witness. All the peoples of the earth are one people. Truth is one – this includes the accuracy and veracity of the Scriptures. There is only one way of Salvation.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Parenthesis one – Genesis 10:8-12

Genesis 10:8-12 (NASB) 8  Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. 9  He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10  The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11  From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, 12  and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Parenthesis one – Genesis 10:8-12 Nimrod creates the first world empire. Nimrod means Rebel. Nimrod is a “mighty” man. He is a hunter of men – 1 Chronicles 1:10.

1 Chronicles 1:10 (NASB) 10  Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Parenthesis one – Genesis 10:8-12 Nimrod creates the first world empire. Nimrod means Rebel. Nimrod is a “mighty” man. He is a hunter of men – 1 Chronicles 1:10. Nimrod was a chieftain (one who spills blood) who was trying to establish a kingdom. This was a struggle for him.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Parenthesis two – Genesis 11:1-9

Genesis 11:1-9 (NASB) 1  Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. 2  It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3  They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4  They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.

9  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Parenthesis two – Genesis 11:1-9 Most likely, Nimrod is in charge of this. He creates a rallying point and a motive. Babel meant “gate of God” but now becomes “confusion.” Direct disobedience caused God to have to intervene once again. This is also the first we see of idolatry in the Scriptures.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Nimrod as a typology of the Antichrist His name “Rebel” is a foreshadowing. He establishes a “confederacy” against God and His rule – Daniel 11:36-37.

Daniel 11:36-37 (NASB) 36  “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 37  He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Nimrod as a typology of the Antichrist His name “Rebel” is a foreshadowing. He establishes a “confederacy” against God and His rule – Daniel 11:36-37. Nimrod is said to be “mighty” – 2 Thess. 2:8-9.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 (NASB) 8  Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9  that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Nimrod as a typology of the Antichrist His name “Rebel” is a foreshadowing. He establishes a “confederacy” against God and His rule – Daniel 11:36-37. Nimrod is said to be “mighty” – 2 Thess. 2:8-9. Nimrod is a “hunter” of men – Psalm 5:6.

Psalm 5:6 (NASB) 6  You destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

The History of History Genesis 10-11 Two Parentheses Nimrod as a typology of the Antichrist His name “Rebel” is a foreshadowing. He establishes a “confederacy” against God and His rule – Daniel 11:36-37. Nimrod is said to be “mighty” – 2 Thess. 2:8-9. Nimrod is a “hunter” of men – Psalm 5:6. Nimrod is a king as is the Antichrist. Nimrod’s headquarters is Babylon. Nimrod’s supreme desire is to make his name known.