Nahum 1:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nahum 1:14 delivers a powerful and definitive divine decree against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, declaring its complete and irreversible destruction. This verse encapsulates the LORD's sovereign judgment, promising the eradication of Nineveh's name and lineage, the utter dismantling of its idolatrous worship, and its transformation into a desolate grave, all as a consequence of its profound wickedness and vileness in God's sight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nahum 1:14 stands as a climactic declaration within the opening chapter of Nahum, which serves as a majestic and terrifying prelude to the coming destruction of Nineveh. The preceding verses (Nahum 1:2-8) establish the character of God as a jealous, avenging, and wrathful God who is slow to anger but mighty in power, and who will by no means clear the guilty. Verses 9-13 specifically address Nineveh, promising that its schemes against the LORD will be brought to nothing and that Judah's affliction will cease. Verse 14, therefore, transitions from a general description of God's power and a promise of relief for Judah to a direct, specific, and irreversible pronouncement of judgment against Nineveh itself, setting the stage for the detailed account of its downfall in chapters 2 and 3.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Nahum is dated to the mid-7th century BCE, likely between the fall of Thebes (No-amon) in 663 BCE (mentioned in Nahum 3:8-10) and the fall of Nineveh in 612 BCE. Nineveh was the formidable capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had terrorized the ancient Near East for centuries. Known for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and cruel treatment of conquered peoples (including the northern kingdom of Israel, which it had destroyed in 722 BCE), Assyria was a symbol of oppressive power. Its culture was deeply steeped in polytheism and idolatry, with numerous gods and temples, including the prominent cult of Ishtar. This historical backdrop makes the LORD's judgment particularly poignant, as it targets the very heart of a seemingly invincible empire and its false religious foundations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Nahum and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, asserting that the LORD, not human armies, is the ultimate orchestrator of Nineveh's downfall, acting on a direct "commandment." This highlights God's control over nations and history, a truth echoed in passages like [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules Over Kingdoms"). Secondly, the phrase "no more of thy name be sown" emphasizes the theme of **Complete Eradication and Desolation**, signifying not just military defeat but the obliteration of Nineveh's legacy, lineage, and future influence, a fate often prophesied for wicked nations, as seen in the warnings against Edom in [Obadiah 1:18](/obadiah/1-18 "Obadiah 1:18 - The Destruction of Edom"). Thirdly, the cutting off of "graven image and the molten image" directly addresses the theme of **Idolatry's Futility and God's Jealousy**, demonstrating the LORD's absolute intolerance for false worship and the impotence of man-made gods in the face of divine power, a core tenet of the covenant found in [Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4-5 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Second Commandment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this term primarily means a physical dwelling, but its semantic range extends to encompass family, household, and even a temple or palace. In "out of the house of thy gods," it refers specifically to the temples or shrines where Nineveh's idols were housed, emphasizing the sacred spaces dedicated to their false deities that God would desecrate and destroy.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** From H3772, this primitive root signifies to cut (off, down, or asunder), implying destruction or consumption. It is a strong verb indicating a decisive and complete severing. Here, it denotes the absolute eradication of Nineveh's idols and, by extension, its idolatrous system, rendering them powerless and gone forever.
* **Vile (Hebrew, _qâlal'_):** From H7043, this root means to be light, literally (swift, small, sharp) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile). In this context, it carries the figurative sense of being despised, contemptible, or worthless. Nineveh's actions—its cruelty, oppression, and persistent idolatry—had rendered it utterly morally corrupt and without honor in God's eyes, fully justifying the severe judgment pronounced against it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the judgment. It is not a mere prediction but a sovereign decree from Yahweh (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the self-existent God of Israel, indicating that Nineveh's fate is sealed by the ultimate authority.
* **"[that] no more of thy name be sown":** This powerful metaphor signifies the complete and utter end of Nineveh's lineage, legacy, and influence. To "sow" (H2232, zâraʻ) implies propagation and continuation. Thus, this phrase means Nineveh will have no descendants to carry on its name (H8034, shêm), no future generations, and no lasting reputation or power in the world. Its memory as a dominant force will be erased.
* **"out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image":** This clause directly targets Nineveh's idolatry. The "house" (H1004, bayith) refers to their temples, from which God Himself promises to "cut off" (H3772, kârath) their "graven image" (H6459, peçel, carved idols) and "molten image" (H4541, maççêkâh, cast idols). This signifies the complete destruction and removal of their false gods, demonstrating their impotence and God's absolute intolerance for rival worship.
* **"I will make thy grave":** This stark and vivid metaphor (H7760, sûwm, to make; H6913, qeber, grave) declares that Nineveh itself will become a burial ground. The city will be so utterly devastated and filled with death that it will function as its own tomb, a monument to its complete demise and desolation, never to be rebuilt as a center of power.
* **"for thou art vile":** This concluding phrase provides the divine justification for such extreme judgment. Nineveh's moral character, marked by its cruelty, arrogance, and idolatry, is deemed "vile" (H7043, qâlal)—contemptible and worthless in God's sight. This vileness is the root cause that warrants the severity of the LORD's decree.

#### Literary Devices
Nahum 1:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of absolute judgment. The phrase "no more of thy name be sown" is a striking **Metaphor** and **Merism**, representing the complete cessation of Nineveh's lineage, reputation, and future. The act of "sowing" is linked to procreation and continuity, making its negation a powerful image of total extinction. Similarly, "I will make thy grave" is a stark **Metaphor** for the city's utter destruction and desolation, transforming a vibrant capital into a vast tomb. The entire verse functions as a **Divine Decree** or **Pronouncement of Judgment**, characterized by its authoritative, declarative tone, directly from the LORD. The parallelism in "graven image and the molten image" uses **Synonymy** to emphasize the comprehensive destruction of all forms of idolatry. Finally, the concluding "for thou art vile" serves as a concise **Justification** for the preceding pronouncements, grounding the severe judgment in Nineveh's moral depravity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nahum 1:14 profoundly illustrates the unwavering nature of God's justice and His absolute sovereignty over all nations. It demonstrates that while God is patient and slow to anger, His patience has limits, and persistent wickedness, especially when coupled with oppression and idolatry, will inevitably incur His righteous wrath. The destruction of Nineveh serves as a powerful historical precedent that no empire, however mighty or seemingly invincible, can defy the moral order of the universe or the authority of the Creator without facing severe consequences. God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to profound moral corruption and spiritual rebellion, ensuring that ultimate accountability rests with Him.

* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Justice")
* [Jeremiah 18:7-10](/jeremiah/18-7-10 "Jeremiah 18:7-10 - The Potter and the Clay")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nahum 1:14 serves as a sobering reminder that God is not indifferent to human evil, oppression, or idolatry. For us today, this verse calls for a profound examination of our own lives and societies. It challenges us to consider what "vile" things might exist in our hearts or cultures—whether it be the worship of material possessions, power, self, or anything that displaces God from His rightful place. The certainty of Nineveh's judgment should instill a healthy fear of God and a deep appreciation for His holiness and justice. It compels us to repent of our own spiritual idolatries and to align our lives with His righteous standards. Furthermore, it offers comfort to those who suffer under oppressive systems, reminding them that God sees injustice and will ultimately bring it to an end, ensuring that no oppressor will escape His final decree.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graven images" or "molten images"—whether literal or metaphorical—might I be allowing to take God's rightful place in my life?**
* **In what ways might my actions or attitudes be considered "vile" in God's sight, and how can I seek repentance and transformation?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on Nineveh strengthen my faith in His ultimate justice for all wrongs?**

### FAQ
**What does "no more of thy name be sown" mean in a practical sense for Nineveh?**

Answer: This phrase, "no more of thy name be sown," signifies the complete and utter cessation of Nineveh's existence as a significant entity. Practically, it means the end of its royal dynasty, its political influence, and its very memory as a dominant power. There would be no descendants to carry on its name, no new generations to rebuild its empire, and its reputation would be utterly obliterated. It's a prophecy of total demographic and historical erasure, ensuring that Nineveh would never again rise to prominence, a stark contrast to how God promised to perpetuate the name of David's house in [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David").

**How does Nahum 1:14 relate to the earlier prophecy of Jonah concerning Nineveh?**

Answer: Nahum 1:14 stands in stark contrast to the Book of Jonah. Approximately a century before Nahum, Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh, and the city, from king to commoner, responded with humility and fasting, leading God to relent from the disaster He had threatened (see [Jonah 3:5-10](/jonah/3-5-10 "Jonah 3:5-10 - Nineveh's Repentance")). However, by Nahum's time, Nineveh had reverted to its wicked ways, its cruelty, and its idolatry, becoming "vile" once more. Nahum's prophecy, therefore, is not a call to repentance but a definitive declaration of irreversible judgment, demonstrating that God's patience, though long-suffering, is not infinite when faced with persistent and unrepentant wickedness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nahum 1:14, with its vivid portrayal of divine judgment against a wicked, idolatrous empire, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Nineveh faced a temporal judgment for its vileness and idolatry, humanity's ultimate "vileness" is sin, and the "graven images" we worship are often spiritual idols of self, power, or possessions. Christ is the one through whom God's righteous judgment against sin is both perfectly executed and mercifully satisfied. On the cross, Jesus became the "grave" for our sin, taking upon Himself the full wrath and "commandment" of God against human wickedness, so that those who believe might not face the eternal "cutting off" from God's presence (compare [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Condemned Sin in the Flesh")). Furthermore, Jesus, as the true King, utterly defeats all spiritual "graven images" and "molten images"—the powers of darkness and idolatry—through His victory over sin and death (as seen in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). His kingdom is eternal, ensuring that His "name" will be "sown" and glorified forever, unlike the fleeting empires of this world, offering eternal hope and a lasting legacy to those who are found in Him, as promised in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord").

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.

Cross-References

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: