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Revision as of 00:02, 15 April 2006 by Cobblers (talk | contribs) (Removed Jasher references)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Shinar (Hebrew שנער, Septuagint Senaar) was a locality, and also an ancient city, in the northern part of Mesopotamia. In the Book of Genesis 10:10, Nimrod's kingdom in the land of Shinar began with the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. Genesis 11:1-4 relates that mankind migrated from the east after the flood, and while still speaking only one language, settled on the plain of Shinar and built the Tower of Babel. Shinar was ruled by king Nimrod (Ham's grandson, who may also have been Amraphel (Genesis 14:1 and 14:9, with Genesis 10:9-10)). The land of Shinar is further mentioned in Isaiah 11:11; and Zechariah 5:11.
Although the boundaries of the land are not certainly known, the Book of Jubilees 9:3 records that the land of Shinar was allocated to Asshur, second son of Shem, and this strongly supports a location in the northern part of Mesopotamia. As Arpachshad, third son of Shem, was allocated all the lands of the Chaldees to the east of the Euphrates, bordering on the Red Sea (9:4), Shinar is not located in southern Mesopotamia.