What Does Genesis 10:9 Mean in the King James?
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Nimrod’s name is traditionally heard through the Hebrew root for rebellion, so his famous might carries an echo of resistance.
THE MEANING
The verse makes Nimrod a measure of formidable strength: his power is remembered through the hunt, and his name becomes a saying. The words place that reputation before the LORD, leaving the tension between human might and divine presence in view.
THE ROOT
גִּבּוֹר
gibbor
GROWS FROM
גבר
To be strong or prevail.
English “mighty” can sound like an abstract quality, but gibbor belongs to a word family of strength, prevailing, and the strong man. Joined to “hunter,” might is shown in action: the power to pursue and capture.
ALSO GROWS
gabar: Be strong; prevail.
גָּבַר
This verb gives “mighty” its sense of strength exercised to overcome.
gever: A man; a strong or able man.
גֶּבֶר
The related noun connects might to the person embodying it, not just an abstract force.
נִמְרֹד
Nimrod
GROWS FROM
מרד
To rebel; resist authority.
Nimrod is traditionally linked by Hebrew wordplay to marad, “rebel,” though the name’s derivation is uncertain. That echo gives the celebrated hunter’s name a shadow of resistance; the verse leaves the tension beside the phrase “before the LORD.”
ALSO GROWS
marad: Rebel; resist.
מָרַד
This verb supplies the traditional wordplay heard in Nimrod’s name.
mered: Rebellion.
מֶרֶד
The related noun makes explicit the resistance carried in that name association.
THE PATTERN
Scripture shows might through force exercised, while revealing that force alone cannot guarantee security.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.THE THREAD
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.“Mighty men” here is gibborim, the plural of the same word used for Nimrod’s might. Genesis links Nimrod’s reputation to a recurring pattern: strength can become renown, while the hunting image shows the force by which his name is remembered.
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