Genesis 10:12

What does Genesis 10:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 10:12 means

This verse concludes the description of Nimrod's building projects, specifically mentioning Resen, located between Nineveh and Calah, and clarifying that Nineveh itself was "the great city." This further emphasizes the scale and importance of the cities Nimrod founded. The mention of Resen between the two larger cities suggests a cluster of developed areas, indicative of a growing, complex society. The note about Nineveh's greatness hints at its future prominence in biblical history as an adversary to Israel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (the same is the great city).

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (the same is the great city).

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Resen between Nineveh and Calah, which is a very great town.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Resen, between Nineveh and Calah; it <FI>is<Fi> the great city.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Resen also between Ninive and Chale: this is the great city.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and Resen, between Nineveh and Calah: this is the great city.

Context

This verse concludes the description of Nimrod's foundational cities, adding Resen to the list and emphasizing the size of Nineveh. It wraps up the narrative interlude about Nimrod's exceptional activities, preparing the reader for the return to the standard genealogical format. This provides a complete picture of his significant contribution to early human settlement.

v.11Out of that land he went forth into Assyria, and builded Nineveh, and Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah,

v.12This passage

v.13And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,

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