Nahum 3 Study Notes

3:11-12 You also will become drunk appears strange since no mention was made of the inhabitants of Thebes becoming drunk. But drunkenness is found several times referring to judgment on God’s enemies. The message of v. 12 is that regardless how secure and invincible Nineveh felt itself to be, before the Lord’s forces they were as exposed and vulnerable as figs on a ripe fig tree.

3:13 Assyria’s troops, known for their ruthless efficiency and skill, are called women. This is a common curse in the ancient Near East. See Is 19:16.

3:14 This verse contains ironic or rhetorical exhortations to prepare for the coming siege.

3:15-17 According to Walter Maier (The Book of Nahum), “Under Ashurbanipal, for the first time in 800 years, western Asia was dominated by a single political rule. With the vast territory of the empire under one central government, commerce could flourish throughout this area as never before.” Locusts are known for appearing and then leaving as quickly as they arrive. Nahum alludes to this characteristic in v. 17. And this is what God is going to cause to happen to the Assyrians.

3:18-19 These final verses are addressed to Nineveh’s king regarding his impending death, which will bring celebration. As attested in the Babylonian Chronicle, between 615 and 612 BC the major cities of Assyria were annihilated: Kalah, Assur, Dur-Sharrukin, and Nineveh. Ashur-uballit II (612-609 BC) set himself up as king and regrouped his forces at Haran. But the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar crushed them at the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC.