Nahum 3:16

You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away.

Study Bible

You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky.
This phrase highlights the vast number of merchants in Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Historically, Nineveh was a major trade hub due to its strategic location along important trade routes. The reference to "more than the stars of the sky" is hyperbolic, emphasizing the overwhelming abundance of merchants, which reflects the city's wealth and economic power. This imagery is reminiscent of God's promise to Abraham about his descendants being as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), but here it is used to illustrate excess and greed rather than blessing. The prosperity of Nineveh, however, is portrayed as superficial and temporary, as it is built on exploitation and oppression, which is condemned by the prophets.

The young locust strips the land and flies away.
The imagery of locusts is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing destruction and divine judgment (Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 1:4). Locusts consume everything in their path, leaving devastation behind. In this context, the young locust represents the merchants who, like locusts, exploit the land for profit and then leave it barren. This metaphor underscores the transient nature of Nineveh's wealth and the impending judgment upon it. The locusts' ability to "fly away" suggests the fleeting and unreliable nature of the city's prosperity. This passage serves as a warning that reliance on material wealth and exploitation leads to inevitable ruin, aligning with the broader biblical theme of divine justice against oppressive nations.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nineveh
The capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its wealth, power, and eventual downfall due to its wickedness and pride.

2. Merchants
Symbolic of the economic prosperity and trade that Nineveh engaged in, which contributed to its wealth and arrogance.

3. Young Locust
Represents the destructive forces that consume and devastate, symbolizing the impending judgment and ruin of Nineveh.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Pride and Wealth
Nineveh's reliance on its merchants and wealth led to its downfall. We must guard against pride and placing our trust in material prosperity.

Inevitability of Divine Judgment
Just as the locusts strip the land, God's judgment is thorough and unavoidable for those who persist in wickedness.

Temporary Nature of Earthly Riches
The fleeting nature of Nineveh's wealth serves as a reminder that earthly riches are temporary and should not be our ultimate pursuit.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The fall of Nineveh demonstrates God's control over nations and His ability to bring about justice in His timing.

Call to Repentance
The imagery of destruction serves as a warning to turn from sin and seek God's mercy before judgment comes.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of merchants and locusts in Nahum 3:16 reflect the spiritual state of Nineveh?

2. In what ways can we see parallels between Nineveh's reliance on wealth and modern society's values?

3. How does the concept of divine judgment in Nahum challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice?

4. What lessons can we learn from Nineveh's downfall about the temporary nature of earthly success?

5. How can we apply the warning of Nahum 3:16 to our personal lives and communities today, especially in light of other scriptures like Proverbs 11:28?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is described with similar imagery of merchants and economic collapse, drawing a parallel to Nineveh's downfall.

Joel 1
The locust plague in Joel serves as a metaphor for judgment, akin to the locust imagery in Nahum.

Proverbs 11:28
Warns against trusting in riches, which aligns with Nineveh's misplaced trust in its economic power.