Nahum 3

¹ Woe to the bloody city! it [is] all full of lies [and] robbery; the prey departeth not;

² The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.

³ The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and [there is] a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and [there is] none end of [their] corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:

⁴ Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

⁵ Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

⁶ And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.

⁷ And it shall come to pass, [that] all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?

⁸ Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, [that had] the waters round about it, whose rampart [was] the sea, [and] her wall [was] from the sea?

⁹ Ethiopia and Egypt [were] her strength, and [it was] infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

¹⁰ Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

¹¹ Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.

¹² All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

¹³ Behold, thy people in the midst of thee [are] women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.

¹⁴ Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

¹⁵ There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.

¹⁶ Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away.

¹⁷ Thy crowned [are] as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, [but] when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they [are].

¹⁸ Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell [in the dust]: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth [them].

¹⁹ [There is] no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?

Overview of Nahum Chapter 3

Nahum Chapter 3 serves as a prophetic denunciation of the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. This chapter vividly portrays the impending destruction of Nineveh due to its wickedness and cruelty. The chapter emphasizes themes of divine judgment, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate downfall of oppressive powers.

Structure of the Chapter

The chapter can be divided into several key sections that highlight different aspects of Nineveh’s impending doom:

1. Verses 1-4: The Accusation Against Nineveh
   • The chapter opens with a woe pronounced against the city, indicating the seriousness of the judgment.
   • It describes Nineveh as a city full of bloodshed, deceit, and violence.
   • The imagery of harlotry is used to illustrate the city’s unfaithfulness and moral corruption.
2. Verses 5-7: Divine Judgment Declared
   • God declares His intention to expose Nineveh’s nakedness, symbolizing shame and vulnerability.
   • The chapter emphasizes that the city will be made a spectacle for all to see, highlighting the totality of its destruction.
   • There is a clear message that those who oppress others will face retribution.
3. Verses 8-10: Comparison with Thebes
   • Nahum compares Nineveh to Thebes (No-Amon), a city that fell despite its strength and fortifications.
   • This serves as a warning that no city, regardless of its might, is immune to divine judgment.
   • The mention of Thebes reinforces the idea that Nineveh’s fate is sealed due to its sins.
4. Verses 11-19: The Consequences of Nineveh’s Sin
   • The chapter concludes with a vivid description of Nineveh’s downfall, portraying the chaos and despair that will ensue.
   • It highlights the futility of Nineveh’s defenses and the inevitability of its destruction.
   • The final verses emphasize that the city will be left in ruins, with no one to comfort or help it.

Thematic Analysis

Several key themes emerge from Nahum Chapter 3:

• Divine Justice: The chapter underscores the principle that God will not allow injustice and wickedness to go unpunished.
• Consequences of Sin: Nineveh’s moral decay and violence lead to its downfall, illustrating the inevitable consequences of turning away from righteousness.
• Impermanence of Power: The comparison to Thebes serves as a reminder that earthly power and might are temporary and can be dismantled by divine will.
• Public Shame: The imagery of exposure and nakedness signifies the public nature of Nineveh’s humiliation, emphasizing that its sins will be laid bare for all to see.

Conclusion

Nahum Chapter 3 is a powerful proclamation of judgment against Nineveh, rich in imagery and themes that resonate with the broader biblical narrative of justice and retribution. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the certainty of divine judgment, reinforcing the notion that no empire or city is beyond the reach of God’s sovereignty.