Was Abram called out of Nimrod’s Cushite Kingdom by the Creator to start the Creator’s own Kingdom? Looks like it, but let’s examine and remember, this project is following the scriptures from a geographical standpoint.
The connection between Kush, Nimrod, Shinar, and Babel, as described in the Bible, provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient history and the origins of human civilization. According to Genesis chapter 10, verses 7 through 12, Kush, a descendant of Noa, was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty figure and established his kingdom in the land of Shinar. The city of Babel, a central location in this narrative, was part of Nimrod’s domain.
Today, the ideal location for these ancient places would correspond to the region that was historically known as Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia often referred to as the “cradle of civilization,” was home to some of the earliest known human societies. It encompassed the fertile lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where cities like Babylon (associated with Babel), Erech, and Accad were situated.
While the precise locations of these ancient cities may not be identical to modern cities, the historical and archaeological richness of the region ties it closely to the biblical accounts of Kush, Nimrod, Shinar, and Babel, making it a captivating area for those interested in biblical and ancient history. The Kingdom of Kush and where Nimrod ruled was and is present-day Sudan. Historians, biblical scholars, and geography support this claim. To properly augment this in our minds, let refer to a Biblical timeline of sorts.
–
The Biblical Timeline
Genesis 9:18 The sons of Noa, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 19 These are the three sons of Noa: from them was the whole earth overspread.
When they unboarded the ark, they became responsible for overspreading the earth. This means, their children and their children’s children repopulated the earth. As this took place, they were presumably speaking the same language.
Genesis 11:1 The whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 It came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
The people found land in the plains of Shinar and dwelled there.
Genesis 10:6 The sons of Ham (Japheth); Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 8 Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Creator: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Creator. 10, The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Kush or Cush, had a son or grandson named Nimrod. As the people dwelled in the plains of Shinar (or Sennar), he became a great man and developed a city even cities, and even a grand tower. However, this was not part of the Creator’s desires or designs.
Genesis 11:8 So the Creator scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: they left off to build the city. 9, Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Creator did there confound the language of all the earth: from thence did the Creator scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Nimrod’s Kingdom spanned from Shinar, anciently known as Sennar, which is modern-day Sudan, covering most of the Saharan Desert today. The Creator scattered the people. The family of Shem strengthened themselves west of Shinar. One of the prominent members of the family of Shem was a man named Abram. As people were leaving the kingdom of Nimrod because of the confounded language, one man was told to leave even his father’s house.
Genesis 12:1 Now the Creator had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2, I will make of thee a great nation, and I will enrich thee, and make thy name great; thou shalt be an enrichment: 3, I will enrich them that enrich thee, and curse him that curseth thee: in thee shall all families of the earth be endowed.
Abram was 75 years of age when the Creator briefed him to leave the city of Haran (Haran is Paran). He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and servants they had acquired while in Paran. When they came to the land of Canaan the Canaanites were still living in the land at that time.
The special emphasis and note at this point is that Abram left Shinar, Ur, Mesopotamia, and all living arrangements. He went to Canaan and dwelled there as part of the scattering of the Tower of Babel.
Is this making sense?
Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the Creator. But…
Genesis 12:10 There was a famine in the land: Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
The crops failed in Canaan, and there was no food anywhere in Canaan. So Abram and his wife Sarai went to live in Egypt for a while. Geographically pay attention here! He left Shinar and his father’s house and went to Canaan. Some of the places or cities in Canaan that he dwelled in were Bethel and Ai. But a very bad famine caused him to leave Canaan-Bethel-Ai and go to Egypt. Are we clear about his travel arrangements and sojourning? Good.
After their time in Egypt, Sarai and Abram get ready to leave Egypt. Abram and Sarai took everything they owned and went to the Southern coast, south of Egypt.
Did we catch that?
Genesis 13:1 Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
This single verse is why we have written with maps, ancient and modern, that Africa is the Land of Shem. Many people will state the geography of the scriptures isn’t important. Is that true? In order to make the scriptures real to us, we want real locations and real people.
So, there you have it. We are researching the Bible from a geographical standpoint. If you need to find your African Heritage in the scriptures, looking into our newest book, Finding African Ancestry in the Bible – go there today.
Thank you and we pray it is clear to you that Nimrod’s kingdom was vast and spread out. Also, that Abram left the Sudan area (modern-day) where Cush, Shinar, and Babel were located, and went to Canaan. He left Canaan for Egypt during a famine, and returned south of Egypt to Canaan.
Until next time, be strong and very courageous, and may the Great Creator be with you.
Minister Koko
Consul General AKOPPI-BSM
–
Get Your Copy Today Finding African Ancestry in the Bible
Power be with you!