Nahum 3:18

Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell [in the dust]: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth [them].

Thy shepherds {H7462} slumber {H5123}, O king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}: thy nobles {H117} shall dwell {H7931} in the dust: thy people {H5971} is scattered {H6335} upon the mountains {H2022}, and no man gathereth {H6908} them.

Your shepherds are slumbering, king of Ashur. Your leaders are asleep. Your people are scattered all over the mountains, with no one to round them up.

O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your officers sleep. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them.

Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; thy nobles are at rest; thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.

Commentary

Nahum 3:18 delivers a stark prophetic declaration concerning the inevitable downfall of the mighty Assyrian Empire, specifically targeting its leadership and the devastating consequences for its people. The prophet Nahum vividly portrays the complete collapse of what was once the most feared power in the ancient Near East.

Context

This verse is part of Nahum's oracle against Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, a nation notorious for its cruelty, conquest, and oppression. The book of Nahum, likely written in the late 7th century BC, foretells Nineveh's destruction as a divine judgment for its wickedness and its harsh treatment of other nations, including Judah. By this point in history, Assyria's power was waning, and its end was rapidly approaching. The prophecy served as a message of hope and comfort to God's people who had suffered under Assyrian tyranny.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse underscores God's sovereign power to bring down even the most formidable empires. Assyria's fall is not accidental but a direct consequence of divine wrath.
  • Failure of Leadership: The "shepherds" (military leaders, governors) and "nobles" (elite officials) are depicted as utterly ineffective. Their "slumber" signifies their inability to defend the nation, perhaps due to complacency, incompetence, or even death, while "dwelling in the dust" speaks to their utter humiliation and demise.
  • Utter Devastation and Dispersion: The scattering of the people "upon the mountains" without anyone to gather them paints a picture of complete chaos, vulnerability, and abandonment. It signifies the end of the Assyrian state and its people's utter lack of hope for recovery or reassembly. This contrasts sharply with the Lord's promise to gather His scattered people.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Ultimately, this prophecy demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how strong, can stand against the will and judgment of God.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Thy shepherds slumber": The Hebrew word for "slumber" (rābhaαΉ£) can mean to lie down, couch, or lie prone, often implying rest or inaction. In this context, it powerfully conveys the idea of military and political leaders being incapacitated or dead, unable to perform their duties or defend their nation.
  • "dwell [in the dust]": This vivid imagery is a common biblical metaphor for death, humiliation, or utter defeat. It signifies a fall from power and prestige to a state of nothingness.
  • "no man gathereth [them]": This phrase emphasizes the complete and irreversible nature of Nineveh's destruction. There is no one left with the authority, ability, or even desire to rally the scattered populace or rebuild the broken nation, highlighting the finality of their defeat. This stands in stark contrast to the divine care for His people, who, even when scattered, are often promised a future gathering and restoration by the Lord Himself.

Practical Application

Nahum 3:18 serves as a timeless reminder that earthly power, pride, and military might are fleeting. It warns against relying solely on human strength or oppressive systems, as they are ultimately subject to divine judgment. For believers, it reinforces trust in God's ultimate justice and His control over the rise and fall of nations. It encourages humility and reliance on God, rather than on worldly power or human leadership that can "slumber" and fail.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:17

    And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

  • Psalms 76:5

    The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

  • Psalms 76:6

    At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

  • Jeremiah 50:18

    Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

  • Isaiah 13:14

    And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

  • Jeremiah 51:57

    And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise [men], her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.

  • Ezekiel 31:3

    Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.