Nahum 3:5

KJV

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I am against thee, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; and I will discover {H1540} thy skirts {H7757} upon thy face {H6440}, and I will shew {H7200} the nations {H1471} thy nakedness {H4626}, and the kingdoms {H4467} thy shame {H7036}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am against you," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "I will uncover your skirts on your face; I will show the nations your private parts and the kingdoms your shame.

Berean Standard Bible

“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms.

American Standard Version

Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nahum 3:5 delivers a stark and graphic declaration of divine judgment against Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. In this powerful oracle, the Lord of hosts proclaims His direct opposition to the city, vowing to publicly expose its moral depravity, military weakness, and utter shame before all the nations and kingdoms it once oppressed. This verse vividly portrays Nineveh's impending humiliation as a direct, righteous consequence of its pervasive wickedness, brutality, and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nahum 3:5 is situated within the latter half of the book, which shifts from a general declaration of God's character and impending judgment (Nahum 1) to specific pronouncements of woe against Nineveh (Nahum 2-3). Chapter 3, in particular, details the reasons for Nineveh's downfall, focusing on its bloodguilt, idolatry, and oppressive harlotry (Nahum 3:1-4). Verse 5 serves as a direct, personal address from Yahweh, intensifying the judgment with vivid, shaming imagery that sets the stage for the subsequent descriptions of Nineveh's utter destruction and lack of mourners (Nahum 3:6-19). It marks a pivotal moment where the divine "I" directly confronts the arrogant city.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Nahum is set against the backdrop of the late Assyrian Empire, a period marked by its unparalleled military might, brutal conquest, and oppressive rule over the Near East. Nineveh, the capital, was infamous for its cruelty, depicted in its own reliefs showing impaled captives and piles of heads. By Nahum's time (likely late 7th century BCE), Assyria had ravaged Judah and other nations, carrying out deportations and exacting heavy tribute. The imagery of stripping and public exposure in Nahum 3:5 was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, used to humiliate conquered peoples, particularly women, as a symbol of utter defeat, loss of honor, and the subjugation of a city or nation. This cultural understanding amplifies the severity of God's promised judgment, as Nineveh would suffer the very humiliation it inflicted on others.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Nahum and broader biblical prophecy. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that no earthly power, however formidable, can withstand the righteous judgment of the [LORD of hosts](/psalm/24-10 "Psalm 24:10 - The King of Glory"). The graphic imagery emphasizes the theme of **Public Humiliation and Retribution**, where Nineveh's hidden depravity and arrogance are brought into the light for all to see, mirroring the shame it inflicted upon others. This is a common prophetic motif, seen also in [Isaiah's prophecy against Babylon](/isaiah/47-2-3 "Isaiah 47:2-3 - Babylon's Humiliation") and [Jeremiah's warning to Jerusalem](/jeremiah/13-26 "Jeremiah 13:26 - Jerusalem's Shame"). Finally, it highlights the **Consequences of Wickedness**, illustrating that persistent sin, violence, and idolatry inevitably lead to divine reckoning, affirming God's commitment to upholding moral order in the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _nᵉʼum'_):** An oracle; (hath) said, saith. This word signifies a formal, authoritative declaration, often used for divine pronouncements. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the judgment against Nineveh is not merely a prophetic prediction but a direct, divinely decreed word from God Himself, carrying absolute authority and certainty.
* **discover (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** To denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal. This verb carries the strong connotation of uncovering or exposing, often in a shameful or humiliating manner. In this context, it speaks to the forced revelation of Nineveh's hidden depravity and vulnerability, stripping away its facade of power and respectability.
* **nakedness (Hebrew, _maʻar'_):** A nude place, i.e. (literally) the pudenda, or (figuratively) a vacant space; nakedness, proportion. This word denotes utter exposure and vulnerability, specifically referring to the most private and shameful parts. Its use here underscores the depth of Nineveh's humiliation, portraying it as completely stripped of dignity, honor, and protection, laid bare for public scorn.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts":** This opening declaration establishes the divine antagonist and protagonist. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_) draws immediate attention to a momentous pronouncement. The "I" is Yahweh Himself, the sovereign God of Israel, who declares His direct, personal, and active opposition ("against thee") to Nineveh. The title "LORD of hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ_) emphasizes His omnipotence as the commander of heavenly armies and the supreme ruler over all creation, including earthly nations and their military might. This is not a human conflict but a divine one.
* **"and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face":** This is a highly graphic and culturally specific image of profound public humiliation. "Skirts" (שּׁוּל, _shûwl_) refers to the lower part of a garment, and to "discover" or "uncover" them "upon thy face" signifies a complete stripping away of modesty and honor, exposing the most private parts. This action was a common punishment for harlots or defeated captives in the ancient Near East, symbolizing utter disgrace, loss of protection, and sexual violation. It means Nineveh's moral depravity and hidden shame will be fully exposed for all to see.
* **"and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame":** This clause reiterates and expands upon the previous image, emphasizing the public and widespread nature of Nineveh's humiliation. Yahweh declares He will be the one to "shew" (רָאָה, _râʼâh_ - to see, to make to see) Nineveh's "nakedness" (מַעַר, _maʻar_) and "shame" (קָלוֹן, _qâlôwn_ - disgrace, ignominy) to all the "nations" (גּוֹי, _gôwy_ - foreign nations/Gentiles) and "kingdoms" (מַמְלָכָה, _mamlâkâh_ - dominion, realm). This signifies that Nineveh, which once terrorized and oppressed these very entities, will now be utterly disgraced and made an object lesson before them, its true character and vulnerability laid bare.

#### Literary Devices
Nahum 3:5 is rich in **Imagery**, employing vivid and visceral pictures of public humiliation. The central image of "discovering thy skirts upon thy face" and "shewing the nations thy nakedness" creates a powerful, shocking visual that immediately conveys the depth of Nineveh's impending disgrace. This is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, where God is depicted as actively performing the stripping and exposing, emphasizing His direct involvement in the judgment. The use of **Parallelism** in "I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame" reinforces the message through repetition with slight variation, amplifying the scope and intensity of Nineveh's public disgrace. The verse also employs **Metaphor**, as Nineveh, a city and empire, is personified as a woman being stripped and shamed, a common prophetic device to convey the vulnerability and dishonor of a defeated entity. The entire verse functions as a **Pronouncement of Judgment**, a direct, authoritative declaration of divine wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nahum 3:5 is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice and His active governance over human history. It reveals a God who is not indifferent to the suffering of the oppressed or the arrogance of the oppressor. The Lord of hosts, who commands all creation, intervenes decisively to dismantle wicked empires that defy His moral order and inflict widespread cruelty. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous retribution, demonstrating that sin, particularly systemic oppression and violence, will ultimately lead to public disgrace and divine reckoning. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty extends to all nations, holding them accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice, though sometimes delayed, will ultimately prevail.

* [Isaiah 47:2-3](/isaiah/47-2-3 "Isaiah 47:2-3 - Babylon's Humiliation")
* [Jeremiah 13:26](/jeremiah/13-26 "Jeremiah 13:26 - Jerusalem's Shame")
* [Ezekiel 16:37](/ezekiel/16-37 "Ezekiel 16:37 - Jerusalem's Exposure")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nahum 3:5, though a severe prophecy against an ancient empire, carries timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals, and His justice will ultimately prevail. For those who feel oppressed or witness rampant injustice, this verse offers solace and hope: God sees, He knows, and He will act. It underscores that no power, human or institutional, can hide its wickedness from the all-seeing eyes of the Lord. Conversely, for those in positions of power or influence, it serves as a sobering warning against arrogance, cruelty, and the abuse of authority. True security and honor come not from human might or worldly possessions, but from aligning oneself with God's righteous character and living justly. We are called to live with integrity, knowing that all things will ultimately be laid bare before God, and to trust in His perfect timing for justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of public humiliation in Nahum 3:5 challenge our understanding of God's justice in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to hide our "nakedness" or "shame" from God or others, and what does this verse teach us about the futility of such attempts?**
* **How does the title "LORD of hosts" encourage us to trust in God's power and sovereignty, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or oppressive systems?**

### FAQ

**What was Nineveh's "shame" that God promised to expose?**

Answer: Nineveh's "shame" (Hebrew: `qâlôwn`) refers to its deep moral depravity, its history of brutal warfare, its idolatry, and its oppressive treatment of conquered nations. The prophet Nahum describes Nineveh as a "bloody city, all full of lies and robbery" (Nahum 3:1). Its "shame" was its hidden cruelties, its arrogant self-reliance, and its spiritual prostitution (Nahum 3:4). God's judgment would publicly reveal this true character, stripping away its facade of invincibility and exposing its moral bankruptcy to the very nations it had terrorized. This public exposure of its true nature would be the ultimate humiliation, a just retribution for its unrepentant wickedness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nahum 3:5 directly prophesies the judgment of Nineveh, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The verse declares God's righteous opposition to sin and His determination to expose and judge all wickedness. In Christ, this judgment is perfectly executed. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the "shame" and "nakedness" of humanity's sin on the cross, becoming a public spectacle of humiliation (Hebrews 12:2; [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He, the sinless one, was "made sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21), enduring the ultimate exposure and disgrace so that those who believe in Him might be clothed in His righteousness and escape the divine judgment that Nahum 3:5 graphically portrays. Furthermore, the "LORD of hosts" who judges Nineveh is the same God who, through Christ, will ultimately bring all hidden things to light at the final judgment (Luke 12:2-3; [Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God's Judgment Through Christ")). Thus, Nahum 3:5 foreshadows the comprehensive and public nature of God's justice, which is both satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice and will be fully revealed at His glorious return.

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

Jeremiah 13:26

Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

Ezekiel 23:29

And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

Jeremiah 13:22

¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy heels made bare.

Nahum 2:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Ezekiel 16:37

Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all [them] that thou hast loved, with all [them] that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Habakkuk 2:16

Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing [shall be] on thy glory.

Isaiah 47:2

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.