Amraphel was the king of Shinar, the king of Babel (Babylon) cf. Genesis Apocryphon 1Q20, and, according to the Targum, Amraphel is Nimrod. A careful reading of Genesis 10:8-12 seems to suggest this based on the locations in which Nimrod reigned; “Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a [giant](LXX) in the land. He was a [giant hunter](LXX) to the face of [Elohim].(LXX) Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a [giant hunter](LXX) to the face of [Elohim]”.(LXX) 10 The beginning of his reign was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah.” Rabbinical literature (Rab and Samuel) says Amraphel is identical with Nimrod. Some say Amraphel was his real name, and he was called Nimrod, “the chief rebel,” as leader of the tower-builders, “who led the world unto rebellion” against heaven’s Ruler; others again say Nimrod was his real name, and he was called Amraphel as the one who “commanded them to cast Abraham into the fire” (‘Er. 53a and Targ. Yer. to Gen 14:1). Among other fanciful etymologies the name is explained as that of one whose “commands brought darkness [destruction] on the world”, or of one who “provoked and made sport of the world” (see Gen. R. xlii.; Midr. LeḳaḦ Ṭob to Gen 14:1, ed. Buber, i. 63, note 4; also Beer, “Leben Abrahams,” pp.130, 131).
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