1:13 1:13

Nahum 1:14

1:15 1:15

Bible Versions

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
And the LORD {H3068} hath given a commandment {H6680} concerning thee, that no more of thy name {H8034} be sown {H2232}: out of the house {H1004} of thy gods {H430} will I cut off {H3772} the graven image {H6459} and the molten image {H4541}: I will make {H7760} thy grave {H6913}; for thou art vile {H7043}.
ADONAI gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless."
The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will cut off the carved image and cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”
And Jehovah hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

Nahum 1:14 KJV is a powerful declaration of God's definitive judgment against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This verse vividly portrays the absolute end of a wicked empire and its false worship.

Context

The Book of Nahum is a prophetic oracle primarily directed at Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. Assyria was notorious for its cruelty, military might, and oppression of other nations, including Israel. Unlike the prophet Jonah who preached repentance to Nineveh, Nahum's message, delivered perhaps a century later, is one of unmitigated divine wrath and certain destruction. This verse specifically details the LORD's decree, highlighting the total annihilation awaiting the city and its people as a consequence of their persistent evil and idolatry, which had made them truly "vile" in God's eyes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes that the LORD Himself "hath given a commandment," underscoring God's ultimate authority and His active role in executing justice. This is not a random event but a deliberate act of divine judgment.
  • Extinction of a Dynasty and Name: The phrase "no more of thy name be sown" signifies the complete eradication of Nineveh's influence, its royal lineage, and its very memory as a dominant power. It speaks to a future where their name will not continue through descendants or reputation. This echoes warnings against nations that reject God, as seen in other prophetic books concerning the fall of Babylon.
  • Annihilation of Idolatry: God's promise to "cut off the graven image and the molten image" from their temples directly targets the heart of Assyrian false worship. This demonstrates God's jealousy for His own glory and His absolute intolerance for idolatry, showing the impotence of man-made gods in the face of divine power. This theme is central to the Second Commandment.
  • Utter Destruction and Desolation: "I will make thy grave" is a stark metaphor for Nineveh's complete ruin. The city itself will become a burial ground, a testament to its demise, never to rise again as a power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "vile" (קָלָה, qalah, or related to the root קָלַל, qalal) carries the sense of being light, contemptible, despised, or worthless. It perfectly encapsulates God's view of Nineveh's moral depravity, cruelty, and idolatry. Their actions had rendered them utterly without worth or honor in the divine court, justifying the severity of the impending judgment.

Practical Application

Nahum 1:14 serves as a timeless reminder of several spiritual truths:

  • God's Justice is Certain: While God is long-suffering, His justice is inevitable for persistent wickedness and rebellion. No nation or individual can indefinitely defy His moral laws without consequence.
  • Idolatry is Abhorrent to God: This verse underscores God's absolute opposition to any form of worship or reliance on anything other than Himself, whether it be physical idols, power, wealth, or self.
  • The End of the Wicked: The fate of Nineveh illustrates that those who are "vile" in God's sight, through their sin and rejection of Him, will ultimately face a definitive end to their reign and influence. This contrasts sharply with the promise of eternal inheritance for the righteous.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 109:13

    Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

  • Proverbs 10:7

    ¶ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

  • Isaiah 46:1

    ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].

  • Isaiah 46:2

    They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

  • Micah 5:13

    Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.

  • 2 Kings 19:37

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Ezekiel 32:22

    Asshur [is] there and all her company: his graves [are] about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword:
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