Nahum 3

Nahum 3 is the third and last chapter of the Book of Nahum in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.^[1][2] This book contains the prophecies spoken by the prophet Nahum, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.^[3][4] This chapter describes the cause of the destruction of Nineveh.^[5]

Text

• The original text is written in Hebrew.
• This chapter is divided into 19 verses.

Textual versions

Some most ancient manuscripts containing this chapter in Hebrew language:

• Masoretic Text (10th century)
• Dead Sea Scrolls: (2nd century BC)^[6][7]
  • 4QpNah, known as the "Nahum Commentary" (1st century BC)^[8]
  • 4Q82 (4QXII^g): extant: verses 1‑3, 17^[6][9]
  • Wadi Murabba'at (MurXII): extant: verses 1‑19^[6]

Ancient translations in Koine Greek:

• Septuagint (3rd century BC)
• Dead Sea Scrolls: (2nd century BC)^[6]
  • Naḥal Ḥever (8ḤevXII^gr): extant: verses 3, 6‑17^[6]
• Theodotion version (~AD 180)

Simplified plan of ancient Nineveh, showing city wall and location of gateways.

Structure

NKJV groups this chapter:

• Nahum 3:1-7 = IV. The Cause of the Destruction: The woe of Niniveh
• Nahum 3:8-15 = Comparison to other lands
• Nahum 3:16-19 = The final judgment

Verse 8

Are you better than No Amon

That was situated by the River,

That had the waters around her,

Whose rampart was the sea,

Whose wall was the sea?^[10]

• "No Amon" is translated from Hebrew word: נא אמון nō-’ā-mō-wn,^[11] (Jeremiah 46:25; Ezekiel 30:15-16) that is ancient Thebes,^[12] referring to the Egyptian name Niwt-Imn, the "City of Amun" that was used for the city from the end of the New Kingdom period. The well-fortified Thebes in Egypt fell to Ashurbanipal in 661 BC, and here is used as a "solemn warning to proud Niniveh" that would fall despite its excellent defenses (vv. 14-19.).^[5]
• "River" refers the Nile and the surrounding canals.^[13]

Verse 9

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,

And it was boundless;

Put and Lubim were your helpers.^[14]

• Ethiopia in the Hebrew text is כוש Cush^[15]
• "Put" and "Lubim" is identified as Libyans (2 Chronicles 12:3; 2 Chronicles 16:8; Jeremiah 46:9; Ezekiel 30:5; Ezekiel 38:5; Daniel 11:43).^[5]

Verse 19

Your injury has no healing,

Your wound is severe.

All who hear news of you

Will clap their hands over you,

For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?^[16]

The message in this final verse of the Book of Nahum gives a positive encouragement and "message of comfort for Israel, Judah, and others who had experienced the "endless cruelty" ("wickedness passed continually") of the Assyrians."^[17]

See also

• Ashurbanipal
• Thebes
• Other related Bible parts: Nahum 1, Hebrews 10, Revelation 18

References

Bibliography

• Ulrich, Eugene, ed. (2010). The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants. Brill. 

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Nahum

Look up Nahum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Unique Pictures Of Nahum Tomb By Kobi Arami
• Jewish translations:
  • Nachum – Nahum (Judaica Press) translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
  • Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
  • BibleGateway
  • Nahum – King James Version
• Nahum public domain audiobook at LibriVox Various versions