In this article we are going to address the linage of Ham, Cush and Nimrod on the Sumerian Kings List.
Sumerian Kings List Three Opening Sections Summary
For simplest understanding I have divided up the first three major sections of the Sumerian Kings List into these three parts:
1) Preflood (lines 1-39 of the list)
- This section covers eight (8) antediluvian kings that reigned for a total, according to their Sumerian numeric system, of: 241,200 years. This section is often compared to the ten (10) generations from Adam to Noah as it does have both similarities and differences.
2) Expansion of families and tribes directly following flood (lines 40-94)
- This section is generally thought to be a dynasty or consecutive list of kingships. However, it appears more like (or similar to) what is found in Genesis 10, a listing of families and tribes, sons and grandsons, founding what would later make up the beginning small brick built cities later called: Sumer and Akkad.
3) The Empire Rises (lines 95-133)
- This section we see a consolidation of the power of princes and tribes and kings. We see the rise of the Temple on Inanna (E-ana), the diminishment of the city of Kish (Cush), and the naming titles change to Lord (En) and King (Lugal) in the direct linage of the “sun god” Utu (likely Ham the Biblical father of Cush).
- So, just as Genesis 10:8-12 it reads; “Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar. 11 From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah 12 and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah—which is the great city.
- The same rise and consolidation of power over the tribes, princes and tongues witnessed in both Genesis 10 and 11 appears nearly identical to lines 95-133 of the Sumerian Kings List.
Lets begin with section two (2) of the Sumerian Kings List; the time directly following the Flood of Noah.
Sumerian Kings List: Section Two
Biblical Bloodlines of Genesis: Made Simple
On line 39-40 of the Sumerian Kings List (basically the start of section two of the list) it says:
line 39 Then the flood swept over.
Beginning Section Two
line 40 After the flood had swept over, and the kingship had descended from heaven, the kingship was in Kic (Cush).
As we see above at the start of section two of the Sumerian Kings List it is directly telling us, and labelling section two, as the time period right after the Global Flood.
Accordingly, the list is giving special attention (at both the beginning and end of section two) to the city and area of Kic/Kish/Cush (likely named after Ham’s son Cush).
In the map beneath we see the opening of the new world following the flood. Take note that the earliest brick-built cities formed along the the fertile land directly below where, in both Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, Noah’s ark is said to have landed.
Also, these small, newly forming cities, tribes, tongues and warlords thereof, are the exact lands that would later be called Sumer and Akkad, then Assyria, which would become Babylon.
Sumer and Akkad, later called Assyria, then later called Babylon
So, in section two of the Sumerian Kings List (provided in its entirety at the bottom of this page for reference), we see literally this expansion of brick-built cities, warlords and kings as on the map above.
Section two of the Sumerian Kings List appears to be describing the same expansion of families (becoming city-states) as what we read in Genesis 10, commonly called “the Table of Nations.”
However, the Sumerian Kings List is following the sons of Ham; specifically the linage leading through Nimrod to ancient Assyria. Below is a basic outline of those opening sons of Noah and their families, through the linage of Ham, as given in Genesis 10.
Noah’s Sons: Linage of Ham to Nimrod
On both sets of text—the Sumerian Kings List and Genesis—there are really long life spans before the flood, and pretty long life spans after the flood. This is covered in greater length on Sumerian Kings List: Preflood.
