Part 2 — Nimrod, Semiramis, and Christmas

𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮 — 𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥𝗢𝗗, 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗦, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦

Some Hebrew Roots teachers have claimed that Christmas originated in ancient Babylon with Nimrod, Semiramis, and Tammuz. According to this teaching, Christians who celebrate Christmas are unknowingly participating in pagan worship. This accusation has caused arguments within families, damaged friendships, and left some believers feeling guilty about traditions they once enjoyed. But where did this teaching come from, and is it true?

Herbert W. Armstrong promoted this account in The Plain Truth About Christmas (1974). He claimed that Nimrod married Semiramis and that December 25 was Nimrod's birthday.

Much of the argument came from Alexander Hislop's nineteenth-century book, The Two Babylons.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆?

Gen. 10:8–12 identifies Nimrod as a mighty hunter and associates him with Babel and other ancient cities.

Who was his wife? Genesis doesn't say.

Was Semiramis his mother or wife? Scripture doesn't say.

Was Tammuz his son? Scripture doesn't say.

Was Nimrod born on December 25? Scripture gives no date.

Ezek. 8:14 describes women weeping for Tammuz. God condemns the idolatry taking place in Jerusalem. But Ezekiel never connects Tammuz with Nimrod, Semiramis, or Christmas.

What about the historical evidence?

Semiramis is commonly associated with Shammuramat, an Assyrian queen who lived in the ninth century BCE. There is no reliable ancient evidence establishing the family relationships claimed in this teaching.

Ralph Woodrow once promoted Hislop's theories in Babylon Mystery Religion. After examining the sources, he withdrew his book and publicly explained why many of those historical connections were unreliable.

His article, “The Two Babylons: A Case Study in Poor Methodology,” is worth reading.

𝗦𝗼, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝘀?

Scripture condemns idolatry (Exod. 20:3–5). We should obey that command. But accusing Christians of worshiping Nimrod requires evidence that this teaching hasn't provided.

We should also remember Deut. 4:2. We have no authority to add prohibitions to God's instructions.

If you've repeated this story, examine the sources and correct what you've taught. If you've hurt someone through these accusations, consider making peace with them.

Hebrew Roots believers have much to contribute through their love for Torah and desire to understand Scripture. Keep studying. Be willing to reconsider what you've learned. Correcting an error is part of growing in understanding.

B"H!

𝗟𝗬𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗦

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𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦

• Gen. 10:8–12; Ezek. 8:14; Exod. 20:3–5; Deut. 4:2.

• Herbert W. Armstrong, *The Plain Truth About Christmas* (1974).

https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi...

• Alexander Hislop, *The Two Babylons* (1862).

• Ralph Woodrow, “The Two Babylons: A Case Study in Poor Methodology.”

https://www.equip.org/articles/the-two-babylons/