Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 10
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 10 in the BibleGenesis 10:11
Assur builded Ninive.
[1] Here is great difficulty and much dispute amongst writers, who this Assur is. Briefly, we may either say with [2] Josephus and S. Augustin, that Assur the son of Sem built a city, which afterwards Ninus of Cham's race enlarged, enriched, and changing the name called it Ninum: or else that this word. Assur here signifieth (as 4. Keg. 15. Psal. 82. Esaie 10. & 31.) the King of Assirians, to wit Ninus the son of Belus, who as all histories Greek and barbarous report (saith S. Hierom) was the first that reigned over all Asia, and among the Assyrians built Ninum a city of his own name, which the Hebrews call Ninive. He set up the Monarchy of the Assyrians, called the golden Kingdom, which stood 1240. years: and made his father Belus to be honoured for a God. To whom the Babylonians, as Plinie testifieth, first erected statuas, altars, and temples. [3] Of this Belus or Bel of Babylon were also derived other false gods, as Belial the god of Libertines, or without yoke, Beelphegor god of the Moabites, Beelzebub of the Acharonites, Baal in Samaria, Baalim amongst the Philistims, and the like in other nations [4].
- 1 Assur, son of Sem, or Ninus King of Assirians.
- 2 (a) li. 1. Antiq. c. 4. Li. 16. c. 3. civit. Euseb. in chron.
- 3 First false gods.
- 4 Iud. 19. Num. 25. 4. Reg. 1. 3. Reg. 16.
Genesis 10:32
The Nations.
How many Nations & tongues were in the world immediately after the tower of Babylon, is more commonly supposed then clearly shewed by old or late writers. Only it seemeth certain and evident, that there were just as many tongues as Nations. But to find precisely (as the common opinion holdeth) [1] 72, is hard. For in this chapter (where they would count this number) are not mentioned so many. Nevertheless, if we add certain that began distinct Nations afterwards, till Jacob with his children went into Ægypt (in whom only the Hebrew Nation and tongue continued to Christ's time) [2] [3] the number will come right. Of Japheth were born 7. sons chief of Nations. Again of Gomer (besides his supposed successor, who cannot be counted beginner of another distinct nation) came 2. other heads. Likewise of Iavan (besides his first son) rose 3. more nations. Of Cham by his first son Chus were 6. nephews Princes of Nations. Again of Regma (besides his successor) came one more. And Nemrod, besides his Kingdom of Babylon, raised up other 6. By his second son Mesraim came 8. nations, Cham's third son Phur made only one nation. And Chanaan his sons made 11. more. Of Sem last mentioned for better connecting the many History and succession of the Church) came the chief and principal Nation the Hebrews [4], descending from him by Arphaxad, Sale, Heber, and so directly to Jacob, Of Sem also were born 4. other sons beginners of nations. Again of Aram (besides his first son) were 3. fathers of nations. Likewise of Heber (besides the Hebrews descending by Phaleg) were born to his other son Iectan 13. heads of nations. These are all that are named in this place: to wit, of Japheth, 12. of Cham 33. and of Sem 21. which make in all 66. whereunto if we adjoin [5] Nachor (Abraham's brother) Moab, and Ammon (Lot's sons) also Ismael (Abraham's eldest son) and his issue by Cetura, and finally Esau (Jacob's brother) who made 6. more distinct nations, the whole number is 72. This probable collection, with the rest, we submit to better judgement.
- 1 The common opinion of 72. tongues is not clear in Scripture.
- 2 Yet this number of nations & tongues may be probably gathered in this and other places of Genesis.
- 3 S. Aug. 16. c. 3. civit.
- 4 The Hebrews chief of these nations.
- 5 Gen. 24. 19. 17. 25, 6. 25, 23.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Genesis 10:8
Nemrod.
To this Nemrod the son of Chus, first builder and King of Babylon, Josephus, S. Epiphanius, S. Hierom, S. Augustin, and generally all ancient writers ascribe the first tyranny [1] [2], and first setting up of an earthly city opposite to the City of God after the flood [3]. He was a Valiant, or rather a Violent hunter, and a giant hunter (saith S. Augustin, according to the seventy Interpreters) who by falsehood and force brought many under his dominion. For he stirred up pride (saith Josephus) and contempt of God in men, avouching that they were not beholding to God for present felicity, but to their own virtue; and so supposing men would fall from God to him, if he offered himself a leader and helper against a new flood, by little and little drew all to tyranny. He was otherwise called Saturnus, and was at length amongst others accounted a God. After him his son Belus Jupiter (as most authors affirm, reigned 65 years. And then succeeded Ninus the first King of the Assirians.