LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Nimrod and Babylon
In chapter 10 of Genesis a character of historical and symbolic importance appears, the first 'great one' of the earth: Nimrod. The meaning of the word 'nimrod' has to do with 'marad', 'to rebel'. Nimrod became the first great rebel, 'the first mighty one on earth'. The word mighty ('gibbor' in Hebrew) indicates violence, tyrannical power, suggesting that Nimrod became a despot. (The Jerusalem Bible translates 'gibbor' as 'overbearing').
Nimrod's political power extended over several major cities, but the most significant is Babel. Nimrod was the ideologue and founder of Babel. 'Babel' means, in Babylonian language, 'the gate of the god', and in Hebrew, 'confusion'. This suggests that Nimrod wanted to present himself to the people as if he were a god. In fact, at his death, he was taken to the pagan altars as Marduk or Merodach, along with his wife, Semiramis, and his son, Tammuz. This triad of gods (the father, the woman and the child) subsequently passed to all cultures, where it acquired different features and names.
Babel was built in the vast plain south of Mesopotamia. Since stone is scarce in Mesopotamia, they built with brick (made of baked, hardened clay). With this material they built Babel. The men wanted to achieve two goals: to make a name for themselves, and to get to heaven. They were filled with ambition for power, pride and rebellion. But God came down to see what they were doing, and confused their tongues. This was God's judgment, which indicates that God was not in it, nor could he agree.
Babel is the beginning of Babylon, and as such represents the true character, object and result of all human associations and religions. It is the prototype of them all. And Nimrod is at its origin and afterwards at its altars. Babylon is a well-known name, and of very conspicuous influence in the Scriptures. From Genesis chapter 10 to Revelation chapter 18, Babylon is always identified with the forces that oppose God, the work of God, and the testimony of God's servants. All human religions had their origin there.
Every time God raises up a testimony on earth, Satan has a Babylon to damage that testimony. In the Old Testament, Babylon opposes Israel; in the New Testament, Babylon opposes the church. Nimrod continues to exist, not only in the story of Babel and in the religious altars. He also continues to exist underhandedly in the hearts of men who wish to make a name for themselves and who wish to reach heaven by their own inventiveness.
However, God cannot be reached by human works, but only by faith in the Son of God. As was the case with the adventure of Nimrod and Babel, all other such adventures will likewise fail. God, who welcomes the humble, always rejects the proud and arrogant. The Nimrods have no chance of being received by God. Neither does Babylon.