Shinar

(country of two rivers), the ancient name of the great alluvial tract through which the Tigris and Euphrates pass before reaching the sea—the tract known in later times as Chaldaea or Babylonia. It was a plain country, where brick had to be used for stone and slime for mortar. (Genesis 11:3) Among the cities were Babel (Babylon), Erech or Orech (Orchoe), Calneh or Calno (probably Niffer), and Accad, the site of which is unknown. It may be suspected that Shinar was the name by which the Hebrews originally knew the lower Mesopotamian country where they so long dwelt, and which Abraham brought with him from “Ur of the Chaldees.”

watch of him that sleeps

SHI'NAR, THE LAND OF (casting out? country of two rivers?), the region where the people, after the Flood, made bricks and used slime (bitumen) for mortar. Gen 11:2-3. "Shinar" was probably the Hebrew name for the plain of Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates and the Tigris. It would seem originally to have denoted the northern part of Babylonia, as "Chaldaea" denoted the southern part; but subsequently, like "Chaldaea," it was sometimes used for the whole. Gen 10:10; Isa 11:11; Dan 1:2; Zech 5:11. In Josh 7:21 it is rendered "Babylonish." Among its cities were Babel (Babylon), Erech or Orech (Orchoi), Calneh or Calno (probably Niffer), and Arrad.