Cities in Smiths Bible Dictionary

The earliest notice in Scripture of city-building is of Enoch by Cain, in the land of his exile. Ge 4:17 After the confusion of tongues the descendants of Nimrod founded Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar, and Asshur, a branch from the same stock, built Nineveh, Rehoboth-by-the-river, Calah and Resen, the last being "a great city." The earliest description of a city, properly so called, is that of Sodom, Ge 19:1-22 Even before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt, Ge 12:14,15; Nu 13:22 and the Israelites, during their sojourn there, were employed in building or fortifying the "treasure cities" of Pithom and Raamses. Ex 1:11 Fenced cities, fortified with high walls, De 3:5 were occupied and perhaps partly rebuilt after the conquest, by the settled inhabitants of Syria on both sides of the Jordan.