Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 10:8-14

"And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before Jehovah: wherefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land he went forth into Assyria, and builded Nineveh, and Rehoboth-ir, and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (the same is the great city). And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (whence went forth the Philistines), and Caphtorim." — Genesis 10:8-14 (ASV)

Nimrod was a great man in his day; he began to be mighty in the earth. Those before him were content to be on the same level with their neighbors, and though every man ruled in his own house, yet no man pretended to anything further. Nimrod was resolved to lord it over his neighbors. The spirit of the giants before the flood, who became mighty men, and men of renown (Genesis 6:4), revived in him.

Nimrod was a great hunter. At that time, hunting was the method of preventing the hurtful increase of wild beasts. This required great courage and skill, and thus gave Nimrod an opportunity to command others and gradually attached a number of men to one leader. From such a beginning, it is likely that Nimrod began to rule and to force others to submit. He invaded his neighbors' rights and properties and persecuted innocent men; endeavoring to make all his own by force and violence.

He carried on his oppressions and violence in defiance of God himself. Nimrod was a great ruler. In one way or another, by cunning or by force, he got into power and so founded a monarchy, which was the terror of the mighty and seemed likely to rule all the world. Nimrod was a great builder. Observe in Nimrod the nature of ambition.

It is boundless; much would have more, and still cries, "Give, give." It is restless; Nimrod, when he had four cities under his command, could not be content until he had four more. It is expensive; Nimrod will rather bear the expense of building cities than not have the honor of ruling them. It is daring and will stop at nothing. Nimrod's name signifies rebellion; tyrants to men are rebels to God.

The days are coming when conquerors will no longer be spoken of with praise, as in man's partial histories, but be branded with infamy, as in the impartial records of the Bible.