From that land means “He went from Shinar [or, Babylonia] to Assyria.”

Assyria was one of the greatest empires of the ancient Middle East. It is mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament, and particularly in regard to battles with Israel in 2 Kings and in Isaiah’s prophecies. Its center was in what is now northern Iraq, and its capital was Nineveh. Its original capital was Asshur. See comments on 2.14.

Nineveh is referred to in Jonah 1.2; 3.2, 3; 4.11 as “the great city.” Its ruins are located on the east bank of the Tigris river opposite the modern city of Mosul, Iraq.

Rehoboth-Ir is a Hebrew designation meaning “the city squares” or “the city plazas,” perhaps referring to a suburb of Nineveh.

Calah was located south of Nineveh and was the royal residence. Today in Arabic it is called “Nimrud,” who in Islamic commentaries is a son of Canaan and not a son of Cush.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .