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 fleeth 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?
Chapter 3 of the Book of Nahum in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a prophetic text, filled with vivid and powerful imagery. It is the final chapter of the book, and it concludes the prophet Nahum's prophecy against the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The main themes that emerge in this chapter are divine judgment, the consequences of sin, and the downfall of a powerful empire.
The chapter begins with a powerful proclamation of judgment against Nineveh. Nahum describes the city as a "bloody city", filled with lies and plunder (Nahum 3:1). He prophesies that God will expose Nineveh's shame and display its nakedness to its enemies (Nahum 3:5). This vivid language signifies the severity of Nineveh's sins and the extent of God's judgment. The people of Nineveh have committed grave sins, and the city is filled with iniquity. The divine judgment that Nahum describes is a consequence of these sins.
Nineveh's sins are not only against God but also against other nations. Nahum describes Nineveh as a city that enslaves nations through its deceit and violence (Nahum 3:4). The city's sins have caused immense suffering, and God's judgment is a response to this wrongdoing. The judgment is not only a punishment but also a form of divine justice. It is a way for God to free the nations that Nineveh has enslaved and to bring about justice.
Another significant theme in Chapter 3 of the Book of Nahum is the downfall of a powerful empire. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world. Yet, Nahum prophesies that Nineveh will fall, and its empire will be destroyed.
Nahum uses powerful and graphic imagery to describe Nineveh's downfall. He compares the city to a woman stripped bare and exposed to her enemies (Nahum 3:5). He also compares Nineveh to a pool of water that is draining away, signifying the city's diminishing power and influence (Nahum 3:8). These images serve to underscore the extent of Nineveh's downfall. Despite its power and might, Nineveh is powerless against God's judgment.
The downfall of Nineveh is not only a physical destruction but also a symbolic one. It signifies the end of an era and the downfall of a system of power that is built on violence and deceit. It is a reminder that earthly power is temporary and that it is ultimately subject to divine authority.
The Book of Nahum, and in particular Chapter 3, carries a profound message. It reminds us of the consequences of sin, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the transient nature of earthly power.
The consequences of sin are a central theme in Nahum Chapter 3. Nineveh's sins are not only against God but also against other nations. The city's iniquity has caused immense suffering, and God's judgment is a response to this wrongdoing. This serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that wrongdoing ultimately leads to suffering and downfall.
The theme of divine judgment is also prominent in this chapter. God's judgment is portrayed as severe and inescapable. It serves as a reminder of God's justice and His power over the nations. It also reminds us that God is a God of justice, who punishes wrongdoing and brings about justice for those who have been wronged.
Finally, the downfall of Nineveh serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power. Despite its power and might, Nineveh is powerless against God's judgment. This serves as a reminder that earthly power is temporary and that it is ultimately subject to divine authority.
In conclusion, Chapter 3 of the Book of Nahum in the KJV Holy Bible is a powerful and prophetic text. It is a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the transient nature of earthly power. It serves as a call to righteousness and justice, and a reminder of God's sovereignty and power.
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