Nahum
Nahum front
Introduction to Nahum
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Nahum
- Nahum introduces this book (1:1)
- Yahweh will destroy his enemies (1:2–15)
- Nahum describes how Nineveh will fall (2:1–3:19)
What is the Book of Nahum about?
The Book of Nahum contains prophecies about how Yahweh would judge and punish Nineveh.
Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. They were threatening the southern kingdom of Judah. The book gave Judah hope that the Assyrians would be defeated.
How should the title of this book be translated?
“The Book of Nahum” or just “Nahum” is the traditional title of this book. Translators may choose to call it “The Sayings of Nahum.” (See: How to Translate Names)
Who wrote the Book of Nahum?
The prophet Nahum probably wrote this book. He was a prophet from Elkosh, an unknown city probably in Judah.
Nahum wrote before Nineveh fell in about 612 B.C. Nahum also mentions the destruction of Thebes, a city in Egypt, which happened about 663 B.C. Therefore, the Book of Nahum was written sometime between 663 and 612 B.C. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What is the importance of the descriptions of locusts in 3:15–17?
Locust attacks occurred often in the ancient Near East. Certain kinds of grasshoppers would come in countless numbers. There would be so many that they would darken the sky like a black cloud that blocked the sunlight. They often came after a long period of no rain. They came down on whatever crops were surviving in the fields and stripped them bare of their leaves. The locusts could not be stopped and caused terrible damage. For this reason, locust attacks served as a powerful image of military attacks in the Old Testament.
Nahum 1
Nahum 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of this chapter) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
Despite being divided into three chapters, this book consists of one long prophecy.
Special concepts in this chapter
Yahweh’s anger against Nineveh
This prophecy should be read in reference to the book of Jonah. That book described how the people of Niniveh, Assyria’s capital city, repented when Jonah warned them that Yahweh was angry at them. The book of Nahum, written a little over one hundred years later than when Jonah was set, indicates that the Ninevites would be punished by God, but only after he had used them for his own purposes. These actions of Yahweh, although described as vengeance or anger, do not have the same sinful quality as they usually do with humans. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant and avenge, avenger, revenge, vengeance and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)
Complete destruction
At that time, Assyria controlled almost the entire Near East. Nahum prophesied that the Assyrians would be so completely destroyed as a nation that they would no longer even be a people group. This prophecy came true very suddenly.
Nahum 1:1
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismGeneral Information:
Nahum describes the destruction of Nineveh in poetry.
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Quote: The declaration about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
These words are an introduction to the entire book. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “This is the book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite, which gives a declaration about Nineveh”
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Quote: Elkoshite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
A person from the village of Elkosh
Nahum 1:2
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorGeneral Information:
Nahum begins to describe Yahweh coming to judge his enemies and to save his people. The vision is full of metaphorical language.
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Quote: Yahweh (0)This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
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Quote: full of wrath (0)Alternate translation: “very angry”
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Quote: he continues his anger for (0)Alternate translation: “continues to be angry with”
Nahum 1:3
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Quote: slow to anger (0)Alternate translation: “slow to become angry”
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Quote: he will not allow the wicked to go unpunished (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes
This emphatic negative statement can be translated positively. Alternate translation: “he will always be sure to punish the wicked”
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Quote: Yahweh makes his way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The biblical writers often associated Yahweh’s presence with powerful storms. Here Yahweh rides in strong storm winds and his feet are creating clouds by kicking up dust as he is coming to judge the people.
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Quote: the dust of his feet (0)Alternate translation: “the dust that his feet kick up”
Nahum 1:4
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Quote: Bashan is weak, and Carmel also; the flowers of Lebanon are weak (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The word translated as “weak” can also mean “wither” or “dry out.” Bashan was known for its good pastureland where people tended sheep and cattle, “Carmel” refers to Mount Carmel, which was known for its tree orchards, and the snow from the mountains in Lebanon kept that place fertile. Since Yahweh dries up all the rivers and causes drought, these fertile places will no longer be fertile. Alternate translation: “The fields of Bashan wither, the trees of Mount Carmel die, and the flowers of Lebanon fade”
Nahum 1:5
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Quote: the hills melt (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean: (1) the earthquake causing the hills to crumble to pieces is spoken of as if the hills were melting or (2) the water from the storms coursing down the hills and causing them to erode is spoken of as if the hills were melting.
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Quote: the earth collapses (0)This could mean: (1) the mountains and hills collapse or (2) the entire ground begins to move with violent motions.
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Quote: the world and all people who live in it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the word “world” refers to the inhabited places on the earth. The verb for this phrase is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “the world shakes and all the people who live in it collapse”
Nahum 1:6
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Quote: Who can stand before his wrath? Who can resist the fierceness of his anger? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two rhetorical questions mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “No one can stand before his wrath! No one can resist the fierceness of his anger!”
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Quote: fierceness of his anger (0)Alternate translation: “intensity of his anger” or “amount of his anger”
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Quote: His wrath is poured out like fire (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Yahweh’s anger as if it were a liquid that he pours out and which burns like fire. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “He pours out his wrath like fire” or “He expresses his fierce anger”
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Quote: the rocks are broken apart by him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he breaks apart the rocks” or “he causes the rocks to break apart”
Nahum 1:7
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Quote: a stronghold … those who take refuge in him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Yahweh as if he were a place where people can be safe from those who wish to harm them, and of those who trust Yahweh to protect them as if they were taking refuge inside that safe place.
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Quote: in the day of trouble (0)“in times of trouble” or “when troubles happen.” The word “day” here refers to a general period of time.
Nahum 1:8
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Quote: he will make a full end to his enemies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The idiom “make a full end” refers to causing his enemies to die. Alternate translation: “he will completely destroy his enemies” or “he will kill all his enemies”
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Quote: with an overwhelming flood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Yahweh destroying his enemies in such a way that they will be powerless to avoid death as if Yahweh caused them to drown in a great flood of water.
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Quote: he will pursue them into darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “darkness” represents the place of the dead, which is characterized as a dark place. Alternate translation: “he will cause all his enemies to die”
Nahum 1:9
General Information:
Nahum tells the people of Nineveh how Yahweh will deal with them.
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Quote: What are you people plotting against Yahweh? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility of making evil plans against Yahweh. Alternate translation: “It is futile for you people to plot against Yahweh”
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Quote: He will make a full end to it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The idiom “make a full end” refers to causing something to exist no longer. Alternate translation: “He will completely stop what you do” or “He will cause your plotting to fail”
Nahum 1:10
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Quote: they will become tangled up like thornbushes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The people who plot against Yahweh will not be able to free themselves from the trouble that Yahweh will bring upon them, like a person who is tangled up in thornbushes cannot easily free himself.
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Quote: they will be saturated in their own drink (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of those who plot against Yahweh suffering the consequences of their plans as if they were completely drunk with alcohol.
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Quote: they will be completely devoured by fire like dry stubble (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Yahweh completely destroying those who plot against him as if fire would burn them up like fire burns up dry stubble. Alternate translation: “fire will completely devour them like it devours dry stubble”
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Quote: devoured by fire (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of fire burning something completely as if the fire were devouring that thing. Alternate translation: “burned up by fire”
Nahum 1:11
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Quote: promoted wickedness (0)encouraged people to do wicked things
Nahum 1:12
General Information:
Yahweh speaks to the Israelites about Nineveh.
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Quote: Even if they are at their full strength and full numbers (0)This refers to the Assyrians or to the people of Nineveh.
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Quote: they will nevertheless be sheared (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of destroying the people of Nineveh as if the were sheep that he will shear. Alternate translation: “I will nevertheless shear them” or “I will nevertheless destroy them”
Nahum 1:13
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Quote: Now will I break that people’s yoke from off you; I will break your chains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of freeing Judah from Assyrian oppression as if he were breaking the yoke and chains that the Assyrians had placed on them. Alternate translation: “Now I will free you from that people and they will no longer oppress you”
Nahum 1:14
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Quote: I will cut off the carved figures and the cast metal figures from the houses of your gods (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of destroying the Assyrian idols as if he were cutting them off, like a person would cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “I will destroy the carved figures and the cast metal figures that are in the temples of your gods”
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Quote: I will dig your graves (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that Yahweh will also bury them in the graves that he digs for them. Alternate translation: “I will dig your graves and bury you in them”
Nahum 1:15
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Quote: on the mountains there are the feet of someone who is bringing good news (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the word “feet” represent the person who is running in order to declare a message. Alternate translation: “on the mountains there is someone who is bringing good news”
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Quote: wicked one … he (0)Nahum refers to the people of Nineveh as though they were one person.
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Quote: he is completely cut off (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh being completely destroyed as if they had been cut off, like a person would cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “he is completely destroyed”
Nahum 2
Nahum 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of chapter 1) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
Despite being divided into three chapters, this book contains one long prophecy.
Nahum 2:1
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryGeneral Information:
Nahum often wrote prophecy in the form of poetry.
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Quote: The one who will dash you to pieces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The word “you” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of an army or military leader destroying Nineveh as if he were to shatter Nineveh like one would shatter a clay pot. Alternate translation: “The one who will destroy you”
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Quote: The one who will dash you (0)The person who is “the one” is not clear, so translate using a general term. Alternate translation: “Someone who will break you”
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Quote: is coming up against you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The idiom to “come against” means to attack. Alternate translation: “is preparing to attack you”
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Quote: Man the city walls, guard the roads, make yourselves strong, assemble your armies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh. He tells them to prepare for battle, although he knows that the enemy will destroy the city.
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Quote: Man the city walls (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Nineveh had a large, thick wall surrounding it. This refers to placing soldiers on the top of the wall in order to fight off attackers. This can be translated with a more general phrase if necessary. Alternate translation: “Man the fortifications” or “Prepare the defenses”
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Quote: guard the roads (0)This refers to having soldiers watch the roads leading to the city so that they can keep track of the enemy’s approach.
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Quote: make yourselves strong (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means to prepare oneself for action. Here it applies to military action. Alternate translation: “prepare yourselves for battle”
Nahum 2:2
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Quote: For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of Jacob, like the majesty of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The words “Jacob” and “Israel” are metonyms for the people who are descended from Jacob. This could mean: (1) the word “Jacob” refers to the southern kingdom and the word “Israel” refers to the northern kingdom. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of Judah, as he promised to restore the majesty of Israel” or (2) both “Jacob” and “Israel” refer to the nation as a whole, included both northern and southern kingdoms and the two lines are parallel. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of all Israel”
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Quote: the plunderers (0)people who steal things by force, usually in war
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Quote: destroyed their vine branches (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a metaphor in which the Assyrians taking away Israel’s possessions by force is spoken of as if Israel were a vine whose branches the Assyrians had stripped bare. Alternate translation: “robbed them of all of their possession, like one would strip bare vine branches”
Nahum 2:3
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Quote: The shields of his mighty men are red (0)This could mean: (1) the shields appear red as the light from the sun reflects upon their metal surfaces or (2) the shields are covered with leather that has been dyed red.
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Quote: his mighty men (0)the soldiers of the one “who will dash” Nineveh “to pieces” (Nahum 2:1).
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Quote: the chariots flash with their metal (0)This likely refers to the light from the sun reflecting upon the metal chariots.
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Quote: on the day that they are made ready (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when the soldiers have made them ready” or “when the soldiers have prepared them to attack”
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Quote: the cypress spears are waved in the air (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the soldiers wave their cypress spears in the air”
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Quote: cypress (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
a type of tree whose wood is good for weapons
Nahum 2:4
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Quote: The chariots speed through the streets (0)Alternate translation: “The soldiers drive the chariots wildly through the streets”
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Quote: They look like torches (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots with torches whose fire gives light.
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Quote: they run like lightning (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots, and the quickness with which the chariots move, with lightning that flashes quickly in the sky.
Nahum 2:5
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Quote: The one who will dash you to pieces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The word “you” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of an army or military leader destroying Nineveh as if he were to shatter Nineveh like one would shatter a clay pot. See how you translated this in Nahum 2:1. Alternate translation: “The one who will destroy you”
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Quote: in their march (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “march” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “as they march”
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Quote: The large shield is made ready to protect these attackers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The attackers make ready the large shield to protect themselves”
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Quote: The large shield (0)This refers to a large cover that those who besieged a city would set up over themselves and their battering rams to protect themselves against the arrows and other projectiles with which the people in the city would attack them.
Nahum 2:6
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Quote: The gates at the rivers are forced open (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy forces open the gates at the rivers”
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Quote: The gates at the rivers (0)This refers to the gates that controlled the flow and direction of the river.
Nahum 2:7
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Quote: Huzzab is stripped of her clothes and is taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy strips Huzzab of her clothes and takes her away”
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Quote: her female servants moan like doves (0)The moaning sounds that the female servants make sound like the sounds that doves make.
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Quote: her female servants (0)If the word “Huzzab” refers to a queen, then this phrase refers to the young women who attended her. If the word “Huzzab” refers to an idol, then this phrase refers to the young women who worked as temple prostitutes.
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Quote: beating on their breasts (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Beating one’s breast was a gesture used to express great mourning.
Nahum 2:8
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Quote: Nineveh is like a leaking pool of water, with its people fleeing away like rushing water (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the way that the people flee from the city of Nineveh with the way that water gushes from a reservoir of water when the dam has been broken.
Nahum 2:9
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Quote: Take the silver plunder … Nineveh’s beautiful things (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
It is not clear who is speaking here. This may be an apostrophe in which Nahum gives directions to the attackers, or the attackers may be speaking and giving directions to one another.
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Quote: Take the silver plunder, take the gold plunder (0)The word “plunder” means things stolen by force, usually in war. Alternate translation: “Take the silver as plunder, take the gold as plunder” or “Take the silver, take the gold”
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Quote: there is no end to it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
The words “no end” are an exaggeration to express that there is a great amount of something. Alternate translation: “there is so much of it”
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Quote: to the splendor of all Nineveh’s beautiful things (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This phrase refers to the silver, gold, and other treasures in Nineveh. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “there is no end to the splendor of all Nineveh’s beautiful treasures”
Nahum 2:10
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Quote: Everyone’s heart melts (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of the people losing courage as if their hearts melt like wax. Alternate translation: “Everyone loses courage”
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Quote: everyone’s knees strike together (0)This describes a physical response to great fear. The people’s legs shake so badly that their knees knock together and they are unable to walk or run.
Nahum 2:11
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorGeneral Information:
In these verses, Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh as if they were a group of lions, and of the city Nineveh as if it were their den. The metaphor speaks of the way in which the Assyrians would conquer other people and take their possessions as their own as if they were lions hunting prey and bringing the dead animals back to their den.
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Quote: Where now is the lions’ den … afraid of nothing? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nahum uses this rhetorical question to mock Nineveh, which has been destroyed. Alternate translation: “The lions’ den is nowhere to be found … afraid of nothing.” or “Look at what has become of the lions’ den … afraid of nothing!”
Nahum 2:12
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Quote: he strangled victims (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he choked victims.” This is probably a reference to the way that lions usually kill their prey, by biting its throat. Alternate translation: “he killed his victims”
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Quote: filled his cave with victims, his dens with torn carcasses (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are saying the same thing in different ways. Alternate translation: “filled his cave with victims, and filled his dens with torn carcasses”
Nahum 2:13
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Quote: See (0)Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”
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Quote: the sword will devour your young lions (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “sword” is a metonym for soldiers who attack with swords. Alternate translation: “attackers will kill your people with swords”
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Quote: I will cut off your prey from your land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of the nations whom the people of Nineveh had plundered as if they were Nineveh’s prey, and preventing Nineveh from plundering any more nations as if he were cutting off their prey. Alternate translation: “I will stop you from preying upon any other nation”
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Quote: the voices of your messengers will be heard no more (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This likely refers to the messengers that the Assyrians sent out to other nations to demand surrender or payment of tribute. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will ever hear the voices of your messengers again”
Nahum 3
Nahum 3 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of chapter 1) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
Despite being divided into three chapters, the book contains one long prophecy.
Special concepts in this chapter
Euphemism
This chapter speaks about the evils of the Assyrians in violent ways. It is important to avoiding toning down this language through the use of euphemism, if at all possible. Although there is some hyperbole, the reader should not assume that the author intends this writing to be taken as completely hyperbolic. (See: Hyperbole and evil, wicked, unpleasant)
Nahum 3:1
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Quote: the city full of blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “blood” represents bloodshed and refers to the people who have committed murder. Alternate translation: “the city full of murderers”
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Quote: It is all full of lies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “lies” is a metonym for those who tell lies. Alternate translation: “It is full of liars”
Nahum 3:2
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Quote: the noise of whips and the sound of rattling wheels, prancing horses, and bounding chariots (0)These phrases describe the sound of chariots rushing through the streets as their drivers use their whips on the horses.
Nahum 3:3
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Quote: heaps of corpses, great piles of bodies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and indicate that there were so many dead bodies that the attackers piled them in heaps.
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Quote: corpses (0)bodies of people who have died
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Quote: There is no end to the bodies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
The words “no end” are an exaggeration for the great number of bodies that the attackers piled into heaps. Alternate translation: “There are too many bodies to count” or “There are a great number of bodies”
Nahum 3:4
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Quote: the lustful actions of the beautiful prostitute (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Nineveh causing other nations to be subject to her as if the city were a prostitute who seduces men with her beauty.
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Quote: the expert in witchcraft (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of Nineveh causing other nations to be subject to her as if the city were a witch who casts a spells on others.
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Quote: who sells nations through her prostitution, and peoples through her acts of witchcraft (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here the word “sells” implies that the people of Nineveh cause other nations and peoples to become slaves. Nineveh uses her beauty, power, and influence to make others her slaves. Alternate translation: “who by her prostitution and witchcraft causes the people of other nations to become her slaves”
Nahum 3:5
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Quote: See (0)Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”
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Quote: I will raise up your skirt over your face and show your private parts to the nations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This refers to the practice of publicly humiliating prostitutes by stripping them naked in front of the community. This continues the metaphor of Yahweh speaking of the city of Nineveh as if it were a prostitute. Alternate translation: “I will publicly humiliate you, as one would humiliate a prostitute by raising up her skirt over her face and showing her private parts to all the people”
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Quote: your shame to the kingdoms (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This phrase explains the purpose of lifting up Nineveh’s skirt. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “I will show your shame to the kingdoms”
Nahum 3:6
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Quote: I will throw disgusting filth on you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The words “disgusting filth” refer to all kinds of garbage. Throwing garbage at a person was a sign of strong contempt. Alternate translation: “I will show my contempt for you, like a person would throw disgusting filth at another”
Nahum 3:7
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Quote: who will weep for her? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The people ask this rhetorical question to emphasize the negative answer. Alternate translation: “no one will weep for her.”
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Quote: Where can I find anyone to comfort you? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there will be no one who will be able to comfort Nineveh. Alternate translation: “There will be no one to comfort you.”
Nahum 3:8
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyGeneral Information:
Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh as though they were the city itself.
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Quote: are you better than Thebes … itself? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nahum asks this rhetorical question to emphasize the negative answer that it anticipates. Alternate translation: “you are not better than Thebes … itself.”
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Quote: Thebes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was the former capital of Egypt, which the Assyrians had conquered.
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Quote: that was built on the Nile River (0)Alternate translation: “that was situated by the Nile River”
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Quote: whose defense was the ocean, whose wall was the sea itself (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These two phrases share similar meanings. The words “ocean” and “sea” both refer to the Nile River, which ran near the city. Alternate translation: “which had the Nile river as its defenses, as some cities have a wall for theirs”
Nahum 3:9
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Quote: Cush and Egypt were her strength (0)Alternate translation: “Ethiopia and Egypt strengthened her” or “Cush and Egypt were her allies”
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Quote: there was no end to it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
The word “it” refers to the “strength” that Cush and Egypt gave to Thebes. That there was no end to it is a hyperbole that expresses the great amount of strength. Alternate translation: “their strength was very great”
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Quote: Put and Libya (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of places in northern Africa that were close to Thebes.
Nahum 3:10
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Quote: Yet Thebes was carried away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “Thebes” represents the people who lived in Thebes. Alternate translation: “Yet those who attacked Thebes carried the people away”
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Quote: she went into captivity (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “she” refers to Thebes and represents the people who lived there. Alternate translation: “they went into captivity”
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Quote: her young children were dashed in pieces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This is a brutal description of the soldiers killing children. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “enemy soldiers dashed her young children to pieces” or “enemy soldiers beat her young children to death”
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Quote: at the head of every street (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The beginning of a street is spoken of as if it were the head. Also, “every” is a generalization that means many places all over the city. Alternate translation: “on every street corner”
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Quote: all her great men were bound in chains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they bound all her great men in chains”
Nahum 3:11
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Quote: You also will become drunk (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the word “You” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh suffering and dying in battle as if they had become drunk from drinking too much wine.
Nahum 3:12
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Quote: All your fortresses (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here, the word fortresses could mean: (1) it refers to Nineveh’s fortifications, such as the wall that surrounded the city Alternate translation: “All of your fortifications” or “All of your defenses” or (2) it refers to the fortified cities that were situated along Assyria’s borders and prevented enemy armies from attacking Nineveh. Alternate translation: “All of your fortified cities”
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Quote: All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the earliest ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the ease with which the attackers will conquer Nineveh with the ease with which a person can cause ripe figs to fall from a tree. Alternate translation: “Your enemies will destroy your fortresses as easily as a person can shake a fig tree and eat the first ripe figs that fall”
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Quote: the earliest ripe figs (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the figs that would ripen first on the tree. These figs fell from the tree easily, so that a person only had to shake the tree to make them fall. Figs that ripened later would require a person to climb the tree and pick them by hand.
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Quote: if they are shaken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“if the trees are shaken.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if a person shakes the trees”
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Quote: they fall into the mouth of the eater (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
“the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.” This is an exaggeration. By saying that the figs fall from the tree into the mouth of the one who eats it, Nahum emphasizes that the figs are ready to eat immediately. Alternate translation: “a person can eat the fig immediately”
Nahum 3:13
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Quote: the people among you are women (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this ancient culture, women were not warriors for a number of reasons, including their being generally weaker physically than men. Here Nahum speaks of Nineveh’s warriors losing their strength and courage to fight as if the people in the city were all women. Alternate translation: “your people are all like women who are weak and cannot defend themselves”
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Quote: the gates of your land have been opened wide to your enemies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the gates of your land are wide open to your enemies” or “someone has opened wide to your enemies the gates of your land”
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Quote: fire has devoured (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of fire burning up and destroying as if fire were eating. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed” or “fire has burned up”
Nahum 3:14
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Quote: Go draw water for the siege … pick up the molds for the bricks (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh. He tells them to prepare for battle and to repair the walls, although he knows that the enemy will destroy the city.
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Quote: strengthen your fortresses (0)Alternate translation: “repair the fortifications”
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Quote: go into the clay and tread the mortar; pick up the molds for the bricks (0)These phrases refer to making mud bricks that they will use to repair the city’s wall.
Nahum 3:15
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Quote: Fire will devour you there (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of fire burning and destroying as if it were eating. Alternate translation: “Fire will destroy you there” or “Your enemies will burn you with fire there”
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Quote: the sword will destroy you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “sword” is a metonym for the enemies who will attack with swords. Alternate translation: “your enemies will kill you with their swords”
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Quote: It will devour you as young locusts devour everything (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The word “It” refers to the “sword,” which is personified as eating those whom it kills. Alternate translation: “Your enemies’ swords will kill all of you, just as easily as a swarm of locusts devours everything in its path”
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Quote: Make yourselves as many as the young locusts, as many as the full-grown locusts (0)These words begin a new paragraph where Nahum compares the number of people in Nineveh with the large number of locusts in a swarm.
Nahum 3:16
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyGeneral Information:
Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh as though they were the city itself.
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Quote: You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars in the heavens (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This exaggeration emphasizes the great number of merchants who lived and worked in Nineveh. Alternate translation: “It is as if you have more merchants than there are stars in the sky” or “You have more merchants than anyone could count”
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Quote: they are like young locusts: they plunder the land and then fly away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the way that these merchants, who have made their profit by selling their goods in Nineveh, will flee from the city when the battle begins with the way that locusts fly away after they have eaten all of the plants in their path.
Nahum 3:17
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Quote: your generals are like swarms of them that camp in the walls on a cold day. But when the sun rises they fly away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Nahum compares the way that the officials in Nineveh will flee when the battle starts with the way that locusts will remain still while it is cold, but will fly away when the sun rises and the air becomes warm.
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Quote: to no one knows where (0)Alternate translation: “and no one knows where they have gone”
Nahum 3:18
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Quote: your shepherds are asleep; your rulers are lying down resting (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two lines share similar meanings. Alternate translation: “your leaders who are like shepherds are dead; your rulers are all dead”
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Quote: Your people are scattered on the mountains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh as if they were sheep that scatter after the shepherds have died. Alternate translation: “Your people are scattered like sheep on the mountains”
Nahum 3:19
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Quote: No healing is possible for your wounds. Your wounds are severe (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nahum speaks of the certainty of the destruction of Nineveh and the defeat of its king as if the king had suffered an incurable wound.
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Quote: No healing is possible for your wounds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “healing” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “No one is able to heal your wounds”
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Quote: Who has escaped your constant wickedness? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question emphasizes the negative answer that it anticipates. All of the nations that were near Assyria had suffered because of Assyria’s constant wickedness. Alternate translation: “No one has escaped your constant wickedness.”