Nimrod, Yitzhak Danziger, 1938-1939

Trying to define a new style of Jew, one that is connected to the land of Canaan and its ancient cultures, Danziger made this sculpture which became an icon of the new, strong Jew.

Nimrod in the Torah: Genesis 10 בראשית פרק י

ח  וְכוּשׁ, יָלַד אֶת-נִמְרֹד; הוּא הֵחֵל, לִהְיוֹת גִּבֹּר בָּאָרֶץ.	8 And Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty hero on the earth.
ט  הוּא-הָיָה גִבֹּר-צַיִד, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה; עַל-כֵּן, יֵאָמַר, כְּנִמְרֹד גִּבּוֹר צַיִד, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה.	9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; wherefore it is said: ‘Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.’

Nimrod in Midrash: The name Nimrod means a call for rebellion in Hebrew. Interpreters who wrote about the Torah text saw the character of Nimrod as a strong and dangerous king, whose might could lead a rebellion against God.

סדר מועד, מסכת עירובין

דף נג, א גמרא

 ולמה נקרא שמו נמרוד שהמריד את כל העולם כולו עליו במלכותו

Moed, Eruvin, 53A

And why was he called Nimrod? Because he led the whole world to rebel against him during his reign.

סדר מועד, מסכת פסחים

נמרוד הרשע שהמריד את כל העולם כולו עלי במלכותו

Moed, Pesachim, 94A

“The wicked Nimrod who led the whole world in rebellion against  me  [God] during his reign”