Ideas
The issue is only within the King James Version, which is the version I assume you are using. GNV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, HCSB, NIV, YLT, and NET all indicate that Nimrod went into Assyria (Asshur) and founded Nineveh, etc. The NET includes this note: “The subject of the verb translated “went” is probably still Nimrod. However, it has also been interpreted that “Ashur went,” referring to a derivative power.[1]”
Prepositions in Hebrew are determined by context, so the “went to” vs. “went forth” is an interpretive issue. The subject of the verb, whether Nimrod or Asshur, is also an interpretive issue.
The difficulty in translating it as “Asshur went” is that the only Asshur mentioned in this genealogy is the second son of Shem and is not listed until verse 22. It seems unlikely that Asshur’s building campaign would be listed in Ham’s genealogy. Obviously, it could be referring to a different Asshur, but there is no real indication to suggest that possibility. Also, the Hebrew term is used to refer to Assyria throughout the OT (130 of 151 uses).
Looking elsewhere in Scripture, Assyria and Nimrod are equated in Micah 5:6. The same Hebrew word is translated as Asshur (Genesis 10:11) and Assyria (Micah 5:6) in the KJV. Again, this demonstrates that the translators make choices about how to interpret a word based on multiple factors. So the more-common translation of “Nimrod went to Assyria” seems to make sense of this instance where Nimrod and Assyria are connected as synonymous places.
So, I would conclude that Nimrod indeed founded those cities in the region of Assyria, but the KJV interpretation is possible if there was some unknown Asshur who was connected to Nimrod. The curriculum was written using the ESV text and then adjusted to the KJV. There may be occasional “wrinkles” like this if you are using the KJV version of the curriculum. We would appreciate if you would call these to our attention so we can make the appropriate corrections. We have adjusted the KJV lessons so it will reflect the KJV interpretation in future printings. You can email us directly at abccurriculum@answersingenesis.org.
NKJV:
8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).
KJV:
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
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The issue is only within the King James Version, which is the version I assume you are using. GNV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, HCSB, NIV, YLT, and NET all indicate that Nimrod went into Assyria (Asshur) and founded Nineveh, etc. The NET includes this note: “The subject of the verb translated “went” is probably still Nimrod. However, it has also been interpreted that “Ashur went,” referring to a derivative power.[1]”
Prepositions in Hebrew are determined by context, so the “went to” vs. “went forth” is an interpretive issue. The subject of the verb, whether Nimrod or Asshur, is also an interpretive issue.
The difficulty in translating it as “Asshur went” is that the only Asshur mentioned in this genealogy is the second son of Shem and is not listed until verse 22. It seems unlikely that Asshur’s building campaign would be listed in Ham’s genealogy. Obviously, it could be referring to a different Asshur, but there is no real indication to suggest that possibility. Also, the Hebrew term is used to refer to Assyria throughout the OT (130 of 151 uses).
Looking elsewhere in Scripture, Assyria and Nimrod are equated in Micah 5:6. The same Hebrew word is translated as Asshur (Genesis 10:11) and Assyria (Micah 5:6) in the KJV. Again, this demonstrates that the translators make choices about how to interpret a word based on multiple factors. So the more-common translation of “Nimrod went to Assyria” seems to make sense of this instance where Nimrod and Assyria are connected as synonymous places.
So, I would conclude that Nimrod indeed founded those cities in the region of Assyria, but the KJV interpretation is possible if there was some unknown Asshur who was connected to Nimrod. The curriculum was written using the ESV text and then adjusted to the KJV. There may be occasional “wrinkles” like this if you are using the KJV version of the curriculum. We would appreciate if you would call these to our attention so we can make the appropriate corrections. We have adjusted the KJV lessons so it will reflect the KJV interpretation in future printings. You can email us directly at abccurriculum@answersingenesis.org.
NKJV:
8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).
KJV:
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.