Nahum 3:19

[There is] no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?

There is no healing {H3545} of thy bruise {H7667}; thy wound {H4347} is grievous {H2470}: all that hear {H8085} the bruit {H8088} of thee shall clap {H8628} the hands {H3709} over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness {H7451} passed {H5674} continually {H8548}?

Your wound cannot be healed. Your injury is fatal. Everyone hearing the news about you claps his hands in joy over you. For who has not been overwhelmed by your relentless cruelty?

There is no healing for your injury; your wound is severe. All who hear the news of you applaud your downfall, for who has not experienced your constant cruelty?

There is no assuaging of thy hurt; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the report of thee clap their hands over thee; for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?

Nahum 3:19 (KJV) delivers a powerful and somber conclusion to the prophet Nahum's oracle against Nineveh, the capital of the oppressive Assyrian Empire. It vividly portrays the utter and irreversible destruction awaiting the city, emphasizing that its downfall will be met with widespread relief and even celebration due to its pervasive cruelty and wickedness.

Context

The book of Nahum is primarily a prophetic declaration of God's judgment against Nineveh. Unlike the earlier prophet Jonah, who saw Nineveh temporarily repent, Nahum prophesies its final, unmitigated destruction. Chapters 1 and 2 detail God's character as a jealous and avenging God (Nahum 1:2) and describe the siege and fall of the city. Chapter 3 focuses on the reasons for Nineveh's doom: its bloodthirsty nature, idolatry, and oppressive rule over other nations. Verse 19 serves as a climactic summary, confirming that Nineveh's "bruise" – its fatal wound – is beyond remedy, and its evil deeds have earned it the contempt of all.

Key Themes

  • Irreversible Judgment: The phrase "no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous" underscores the finality and severity of Nineveh's destruction. There is no hope of recovery or restoration for a city so deeply entrenched in sin.
  • Divine Retribution for Wickedness: The core reason for Nineveh's downfall is its persistent and widespread evil: "upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?" This highlights God's righteous justice in addressing the Assyrian Empire's brutality, conquest, and oppression that affected countless peoples (Nahum 3:1-4 detail Nineveh's brutal character).
  • Global Relief and Rejoicing: The image of "all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee" signifies the immense relief felt by the nations Nineveh had terrorized. Its fall is not lamented but celebrated, a testament to the extent of its tyranny.
  • Accountability of Nations: This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that nations, like individuals, are held accountable by God for their actions, especially their treatment of others.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV word "bruit" (from Old French) means a rumor, report, or widespread public announcement. In this context, it refers to the news or report of Nineveh's downfall. The news of its destruction will spread far and wide.
  • "Bruise" and "wound" are strong metaphors for the irreparable damage inflicted upon Nineveh, signifying its complete political and military collapse.
  • The phrase "upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?" is a rhetorical question emphasizing the pervasive and relentless nature of Nineveh's evil, affecting nearly every nation around it without ceasing.

Practical Application and Reflection

Nahum 3:19 serves as a potent reminder of several enduring truths:

  • God's Justice Prevails: Ultimately, God is just, and He will bring judgment upon persistent evil, whether from individuals or nations. No empire, no matter how powerful, is beyond His reach (Romans 2:6 reminds us that God will render to every man according to his deeds).
  • Consequences of Unrepentant Sin: This verse vividly illustrates the severe and often irreversible consequences of a life (or nation) characterized by unrepentant wickedness. While God offers grace, there comes a point where judgment is final.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those who suffer under oppressive regimes, Nahum's prophecy offers a message of hope: the oppressor's reign is not eternal, and God will ultimately deliver justice.
  • Self-Examination: It prompts us to consider our own actions and whether our influence on others is characterized by righteousness or by "wickedness passed continually."

The fall of Nineveh, prophesied with such certainty and fulfilled historically, stands as a stark warning and a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign control over human history and His unwavering commitment to justice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Micah 1:9

    For her wound [is] incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, [even] to Jerusalem.

  • Lamentations 2:15

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

  • Job 27:23

    [Men] shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

  • Jeremiah 46:11

    Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.

  • Isaiah 37:18

    Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,

  • Ezekiel 25:6

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped [thine] hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
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