The Woe of Nineveh
Nahum 3:1 opens with a declaration of woe: Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims! This verse highlights the pervasive violence and deceit that characterized Nineveh, setting the stage for its impending judgment.

The Inevitable Judgment
Verses 5-7 describe God's direct intervention: I am against you, declares the LORD of Hosts; I will lift your skirts over your face; I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. This imagery underscores the certainty and severity of God's judgment.

The Futility of Defense
In verses 12-13, Nahum illustrates the futility of Nineveh's defenses: All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater. Despite their strength, Nineveh's defenses are as vulnerable as ripe figs.

The Complete Destruction
The chapter concludes with a vivid picture of total destruction and desolation (verses 18-19), emphasizing that Nineveh's end is both complete and irreversible.Reflect on Personal Integrity
Just as Nineveh was judged for its deceit and violence, we should examine our own lives for areas where we may be harboring sin or injustice.

Trust in God's Justice
In a world where evil often seems to prevail, Nahum 3 reassures us that God will ultimately bring justice to all nations and individuals.

Heed Warnings
The downfall of Nineveh serves as a warning to heed God's call to repentance and righteousness before it's too late.

Rely on God's Strength
Recognize the futility of relying on human strength and defenses, and instead, place your trust in God's power and protection.1. The Harlot (Nineveh)
Nahum 3:4 refers to Nineveh metaphorically as a "harlot" due to its seductive and deceitful practices. The Hebrew word used here is "זֹנָה" (zonah), which means a prostitute or harlot, symbolizing the city's moral and spiritual corruption.

2. The Mistress of Sorceries
Also in Nahum 3:4, Nineveh is described as the "mistress of sorceries," indicating its involvement in witchcraft and idolatry. The Hebrew term "כְּשָׁפִים" (keshâphîm) refers to sorceries or witchcraft, highlighting the city's manipulation and control over others through deceptive means.

3. The Young Lions
In Nahum 3:10, the text mentions "young lions" in the context of the Assyrian empire's strength and aggression. The Hebrew word "כְּפִירִים" (kephirim) is used, symbolizing the powerful and fierce nature of the Assyrian warriors.

4. The People of No-Amon (Thebes)
Nahum 3:8 references the people of No-Amon, an ancient city in Egypt, as a comparison to Nineveh's impending downfall. The Hebrew name "נֹא אָמוֹן" (No Amon) refers to the city of Thebes, which was also known for its strength and eventual destruction.1. Nineveh
Nineveh is the primary focus of Nahum 3, as it is the city being prophesied against. It was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its great size and power, as well as its wickedness and idolatry. The Hebrew root for Nineveh is "נִינְוֵה" (Ninveh), which is consistently used throughout the book of Nahum.

2. Thebes (No-Amon)
Mentioned in Nahum 3:8, Thebes, also known as No-Amon, was a prominent city in ancient Egypt, renowned for its wealth and grandeur. The verse references its fall as a parallel to the impending doom of Nineveh. The Hebrew name "נֹא אָמוֹן" (No Amon) reflects its association with the Egyptian god Amon.1. Woe to the Bloody City
Nahum 3:1 - "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey."
The chapter opens with a pronouncement of woe against Nineveh, described as a city filled with bloodshed, deceit, and theft. The Hebrew word for "woe" (הוֹי, hoy) is often used in prophetic literature to signal impending doom or judgment.

2. The Sound of Destruction
Nahum 3:2-3 - "The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Charging horseman, flashing sword, and glittering spear; many slain, a mass of corpses, dead bodies without end—they stumble over the dead."
These verses vividly describe the chaos and destruction that will befall Nineveh, with imagery of battle and death. The Hebrew words for "sword" (חֶרֶב, chereb) and "spear" (חֲנִית, chanit) emphasize the violent nature of the city's downfall.

3. The Harlot's Shame
Nahum 3:4 - "Because of the countless whorings of the harlot, the alluring mistress of sorcery, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft."
Nineveh is compared to a harlot, using seductive practices to ensnare and control other nations. The Hebrew term for "harlot" (זוֹנָה, zonah) underscores the city's moral and spiritual corruption.

4. Exposure and Humiliation
Nahum 3:5-6 - "'I am against you,' declares the LORD of Hosts. 'I will lift your skirts over your face; I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth and treat you with contempt; I will make you a spectacle.'"
God declares His opposition to Nineveh, promising to expose and humiliate the city. The imagery of lifting skirts and exposing nakedness is a metaphor for public disgrace, rooted in the Hebrew cultural context of shame.

5. Nineveh's Desolation
Nahum 3:7 - "Then all who see you will flee from you, saying, 'Nineveh is devastated; who will mourn for her?' Where can I find anyone to comfort you?"
The prophecy foretells Nineveh's complete desolation, with no one left to mourn or comfort the city. The rhetorical question highlights the totality of Nineveh's impending isolation and ruin.

6. Comparison to Thebes
Nahum 3:8-10 - "Are you better than Thebes, situated by the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense, the waters her wall. Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. Yet she became an exile, she went into captivity; her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her nobles, and all her great men were bound in chains."
Nineveh is compared to Thebes, a once-great city that fell despite its strong defenses and alliances. The historical reference serves as a warning that Nineveh, too, will face a similar fate.

7. Preparation for Siege
Nahum 3:14-15 - "Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln. There the fire will consume you; the sword will cut you down, and it will devour you like a swarm of locusts."
The inhabitants of Nineveh are urged to prepare for a siege, but the efforts are futile as destruction is inevitable. The Hebrew imagery of locusts (אַרְבֶּה, arbeh) conveys the overwhelming and consuming nature of the coming judgment.

8. The Locust Plague
Nahum 3:16-17 - "You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The locust strips the land and flies away. Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day; when the sun appears, they fly away, and no one knows where."
The merchants and officials of Nineveh are likened to locusts, emphasizing their transient and unreliable nature. The Hebrew metaphor highlights the city's vulnerability and the fleeting nature of its wealth and power.

9. The Fall of the Shepherds
Nahum 3:18-19 - "O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your officers lie down to rest. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them. There is no healing for your injury; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For who has not felt your endless cruelty?"
The chapter concludes with the fall of Nineveh's leaders and the scattering of its people. The Hebrew term for "shepherds" (רֹעִים, ro'im) symbolizes the leaders' failure to protect and guide the city. The final verse underscores the universal relief at Nineveh's downfall due to its history of cruelty.Jonah 3:4-10
Contrast Nineveh's earlier repentance under Jonah's preaching with their later return to wickedness, leading to the judgment described in Nahum.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. This verse encapsulates the downfall of Nineveh due to its pride.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.' This reinforces the theme of trusting in God's justice. Repentance and Humility
Pray for a heart of repentance and humility, asking God to reveal and remove any areas of pride or sin in our lives.

Justice and Righteousness
Pray for God's justice to prevail in our communities and nations, and for leaders to govern with righteousness.

Strength and Protection
Ask God for His strength and protection, acknowledging our dependence on Him rather than on worldly defenses.

Awareness and Obedience
Pray for awareness of God's warnings and the obedience to respond to His call for righteousness in our lives.

1. How does Nahum 3 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations?

2. In what ways does Nahum's prophecy about Nineveh's downfall connect with God's justice?

3. Discuss the significance of the comparison of Nineveh to Thebes.

4. What specific sins of Nineveh led to its downfall according to Nahum 3?

5. How does Nahum's prophecy apply to today's world in terms of nations and their actions?

6. In today's context, what lessons can political leaders learn from Nineveh's downfall?

7. How can the destruction of Nineveh serve as a warning against oppressive behavior in the modern world?

8. As individuals, how can we guard against the sins that led to Nineveh's downfall?

9. How does Nahum 3 challenge you to think about the consequences of collective sin?

10. How does the destruction of Nineveh reflect the biblical principle of reaping what you sow?

11. How can this chapter influence our perspective on divine justice?

12. How might the graphic description of Nineveh's downfall impact your understanding of the seriousness of sin?

13. What steps can we take as individuals to promote justice in our societies?

14. How should the prophetic denunciations in Nahum 3 shape our view of repentance and forgiveness?

15. How can you apply the lessons from Nahum 3 to better your community or nation?

16. What does Nahum 3 tell you about God's perspective on violence and deceit?

17. How should the message of Nahum 3 influence our prayers for our nations today?

18. In what ways does Nahum 3 encourage us to live righteously and serve God sincerely?

19. Discuss a time when you witnessed the consequences of a nation's sin. How does it relate to Nahum 3?

20. How can the message in Nahum 3 encourage us to stand up against oppression and injustice in the world today?