Nahum 3:7

Translation
King James Version
And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And it shall come to pass, that all they that look H7200 upon thee shall flee H5074 from thee, and say H559, Nineveh H5210 is laid waste H7703: who will bemoan H5110 her? whence H370 shall I seek H1245 comforters H5162 for thee?
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Then all who see you will recoil from you; they will say, 'Ninveh is destroyed!' Who will mourn for her? Where can I find people to comfort you?"
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Then all who see you will recoil from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated; who will grieve for her?’ Where can I find comforters for you?”
Ask
American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
It will happen that all those who look at you will flee from you, and say, ‘Nineveh is laid waste! Who will mourn for her?’ Where will I seek comforters for you?”
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
And it shall come to passe, that al they that looke vpon thee, shall flee from thee, and say, Nineueh is destroyed, who will haue pitie vpon her? where shall I seeke comforters for thee?
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, Each of thy beholders fleeth from thee, And hath said: `Spoiled is Nineveh, Who doth bemoan for her?' Whence do I seek comforters for thee?
Ask
See also
Jeremiah 15:5Isaiah 51:19Revelation 18:10Numbers 16:34Jeremiah 51:9Lamentations 2:13Nahum 2:9
See on the biblical-era map
Prophecy Against Nineveh
Prophecy Against Nineveh View full PDF

Map © Biblica Open Bible Maps · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the KJVVerse 22,720 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Nahum 3:7 delivers a chilling prophecy regarding the utter and irreversible destruction of Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. It foretells a scene where all who witness its desolation will flee in terror, proclaiming its ruin and lamenting the complete absence of any comforter or mourner for the fallen city. This verse underscores the severity of divine judgment, portraying Nineveh's demise as so deserved that it elicits no sympathy, only a stark recognition of its deserved fate.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Nahum 3:7 is situated within the latter half of the book, which shifts from the general declaration of God's vengeance in chapter 1 to increasingly graphic and detailed descriptions of Nineveh's impending downfall in chapters 2 and 3. The preceding verses (Nahum 3:1-6) paint a vivid picture of Nineveh as a "bloody city," a "lioness" devouring nations, and a harlot enchanting peoples through her idolatry and violence. This verse serves as a climactic declaration of the city's ultimate humiliation and isolation, following the prophet's pronouncements of God "uncovering her skirts" (Nahum 3:5) and casting "abominable filth" upon her (Nahum 3:6). It marks the transition from the vivid imagery of Nineveh's crimes and God's active judgment to the desolate aftermath, emphasizing the complete lack of pity for its ruin.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Book of Nahum is an oracle against Nineveh, the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which was the dominant superpower in the ancient Near East from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. Assyria was infamous for its brutal military campaigns, including mass deportations, torture, and widespread destruction, which instilled terror across the region. Nineveh itself was a massive, heavily fortified city, considered impregnable. The prophecy likely dates to the late 7th century BC, after the Assyrians had sacked Thebes (No-amon) in Egypt (referenced in Nahum 3:8), but before Nineveh's own destruction in 612 BC by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes. The cultural context includes the common practice of lamenting fallen cities, a custom that Nahum explicitly denies Nineveh, highlighting the extraordinary nature of its deserved judgment.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Nahum and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it exemplifies Divine Judgment and Retribution, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against persistent wickedness, cruelty, and idolatry, as proclaimed earlier in Nahum 1:2. Secondly, it emphasizes Utter Desolation and Isolation, portraying Nineveh's destruction as so complete and its reputation so vile that no one, not even former allies, will mourn its demise, leaving it utterly bereft of comfort. This stands in stark contrast to the expected lamentation over a fallen city, underscoring the unique severity of Nineveh's fate. Finally, the verse speaks to the Sovereignty of God over Nations, illustrating that even the mightiest human empires are subject to His ultimate authority and justice, and His prophecies, like those concerning Nineveh's downfall, will inevitably be fulfilled (compare Isaiah 14:24-27).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • flee (Hebrew, nâdad', H5074): This primitive root means "to wave to and fro," but figuratively, "to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away." In Nahum 3:7, it vividly depicts the panicked, disorderly flight of those who witness Nineveh's desolation. It implies not just a simple departure, but a hasty, terrified scattering, underscoring the horror and revulsion evoked by the city's ruin.
  • laid waste (Hebrew, shâdad', H7703): Properly, this root means "to be burly" or "powerful," but by implication, "to ravage." It signifies a complete and forceful destruction, not merely a decline, but a violent plundering and rendering utterly desolate. When applied to Nineveh, it conveys the idea of a city not just defeated, but thoroughly stripped of its power, wealth, and very existence, reduced to ruins.
  • seek comforters (Hebrew, bâqash' - H1245 and nâcham', H1245): The verb bâqash means "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, procure, seek." The noun nâcham (from which the plural "comforters" derives) means "to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console." The rhetorical question "whence shall I seek comforters for thee?" powerfully combines these meanings to emphasize the absolute absence of any source of solace or sympathy for Nineveh. It highlights a desperate, futile search for pity that will yield nothing, because the city's destruction is seen as just and deserved.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee,": This opening clause establishes the immediate and visceral reaction to Nineveh's downfall. The phrase "it shall come to pass" signals a certain, divinely ordained event. Those who "look upon thee" (Nineveh) are not just casual observers but those who witness its utter ruin. Their response is immediate and unequivocal: they "flee from thee." This flight is not out of fear of Nineveh's power, but out of horror at its desolation, or perhaps a fearful recognition of the divine power that brought it low. It also suggests that any who might have been allies or beneficiaries of Nineveh's power will abandon it in its hour of need.
  • "and say, Nineveh is laid waste:": This segment reveals the collective declaration of those fleeing. Their words confirm the complete and irreversible destruction of the city. "Nineveh is laid waste" is a stark, definitive statement, signifying total ruin, plundering, and desolation. It's an acknowledgment of the city's complete collapse, a public pronouncement of its end.
  • "who will bemoan her?": This is the first of two powerful rhetorical questions. The verb "bemoan" (Hebrew nûwd) implies lamentation, mourning, or showing sympathy. By asking "who will bemoan her?", the prophet emphatically declares that no one will mourn Nineveh. Its cruelty and wickedness were so pervasive that its destruction will be met with indifference, or even relief, rather than sorrow. This absence of lamentation highlights the city's moral bankruptcy and the justice of its fate.
  • "whence shall I seek comforters for thee?": The second rhetorical question reinforces the first, deepening the sense of utter isolation. "Whence" (Hebrew ʼayin) asks "from where?" or "from what source?" The question implies a futile search for solace. Not only will no one spontaneously mourn Nineveh, but there will be no place or person to whom one can turn to find comfort or sympathy for its plight. This underscores the complete and absolute nature of its deserved abandonment and the lack of any redeeming quality that might elicit compassion.

Literary Devices

Nahum 3:7 masterfully employs several Literary Devices to convey its powerful message of judgment and desolation. The most prominent is Rhetorical Question, seen in "who will bemoan her?" and "whence shall I seek comforters for thee?". These questions are not posed to elicit information but to make an emphatic statement: absolutely no one will mourn Nineveh, and no comfort will be found for it. This device powerfully communicates the city's utter isolation and the justice of its fate. Personification is also evident, as Nineveh is addressed directly ("thee") as a desolate entity, capable of being "looked upon" and for whom "comforters" might be sought, intensifying the sense of its abject ruin. Furthermore, the verse uses Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme nature of Nineveh's desolation. While some might have felt pity, the prophetic declaration that no one will bemoan or comfort the city serves to underscore the profound and unprecedented nature of its deserved judgment, highlighting the depth of its wickedness and the totality of its downfall.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Nahum 3:7 stands as a stark testament to the biblical truth that God is a God of justice who holds all nations accountable for their actions. The prophecy against Nineveh underscores that unchecked pride, idolatry, and systemic cruelty, even by seemingly invincible empires, will ultimately face divine reckoning. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's patience is not infinite, and His justice, though sometimes delayed, is always certain. It also highlights the principle that those who sow wickedness will reap desolation, and that true comfort and lamentation are reserved for those whose suffering is undeserved or who have lived righteously. The absence of mourners for Nineveh signifies a judgment so complete and deserved that it leaves no room for pity, only for the acknowledgment of divine righteousness.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Nahum 3:7, while a prophecy of ancient judgment, carries profound and timeless implications for us today. It serves as a sobering reminder that God's moral order is immutable, and that persistent injustice, cruelty, and spiritual rebellion, whether in individuals, communities, or nations, will inevitably lead to devastating consequences. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and the societies we inhabit: Are we building on foundations of righteousness and compassion, or are we, like Nineveh, accumulating "bloodguilt" through oppression and self-serving ambition? The chilling silence of "no comforters" for Nineveh should prompt us to consider the legacy we are building. It calls us to a deep humility, acknowledging that no power, wealth, or human ingenuity can ultimately stand against the righteous judgment of God. For those who suffer under oppression, it offers a powerful assurance that God sees, God hears, and God will act, bringing justice to the oppressed and accountability to the oppressor. It compels us to align our lives with God's character, seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him, so that when our end comes, it is met not with indifference, but with the comfort and hope that only God can provide.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Nineveh's fate challenge our assumptions about power, security, and the ultimate consequences of unrepentant sin?
  • In what ways might our own lives or communities exhibit patterns of pride, injustice, or spiritual indifference that could lead to a similar lack of "comforters" in a time of crisis?
  • How does the certainty of God's judgment on Nineveh strengthen our faith in His justice and sovereignty, particularly when we witness ongoing injustice in the world?
  • What does the absence of comfort for Nineveh teach us about the nature of true comfort and where it can ultimately be found?

FAQ

Why is Nineveh's destruction so complete, and why is there no one to mourn her?

Answer: Nineveh's destruction is prophesied to be complete as a direct consequence of its extreme and prolonged wickedness. The city and the Assyrian Empire it represented were notorious for their brutality, idolatry, and oppression of other nations, including God's people. The prophet Nahum details their "bloody city" (Nahum 3:1), their "harlotries" (Nahum 3:4), and their insatiable violence. The lack of mourners or comforters for Nineveh (Nahum 3:7) signifies that its downfall is not seen as a tragedy but as a just and deserved retribution. It implies that its victims and even former allies will feel no pity, only relief or a fearful acknowledgment of divine justice. This complete desolation and isolation highlight the depth of Nineveh's depravity and the severity of God's righteous judgment against it.

Does God delight in judgment, given the harshness of this prophecy?

Answer: The Bible consistently portrays God as just and righteous, not delighting in the death of the wicked, but in their repentance (e.g., Ezekiel 18:23). However, God is also holy and cannot tolerate unrepentant sin and injustice indefinitely. The judgment on Nineveh is not an act of arbitrary cruelty, but a necessary consequence of its persistent evil, which had reached a point where it was "full of lies and plunder" (Nahum 3:1). God's judgment is an expression of His justice, defending the oppressed and upholding His moral order. While the outcome is devastating, the motivation is divine righteousness, demonstrating that God will ultimately bring all wickedness to account.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Nahum 3:7 directly addresses the historical judgment upon Nineveh, its theological implications find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The prophecy of a city utterly laid waste, with no comforters to be found, foreshadows the ultimate judgment awaiting all who reject God's rule and persist in sin. Just as Nineveh faced an inescapable reckoning for its wickedness, so too will all humanity face a final judgment, where those who have not found refuge in Christ will be left without comfort or advocate (compare Revelation 20:11-15). However, the very absence of comfort for Nineveh highlights the profound comfort found in Christ. He is the "God of all comfort" (as described in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4), who offers solace and hope to those who turn to Him. Furthermore, Jesus himself referenced Nineveh, noting that the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, and would therefore condemn the unrepentant generation of His day (see Matthew 12:41). This emphasizes that while Nineveh ultimately fell due to its later return to wickedness, the opportunity for repentance and the availability of divine mercy were always present. Thus, Nahum 3:7 implicitly points to Christ as the ultimate source of true comfort, the one who bore the judgment for sin, and the only one through whom humanity can escape the desolate fate of those who remain unrepentant.

Copy as

Commentary on Nahum 3 verses 1–7

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Here is, I. Nineveh arraigned and indicted. It is a high charge that is here drawn up against that great city, and neither her numbers nor her grandeur shall secure her from prosecution. 1. It is a city of blood, in which a great deal of innocent blood is shed by unrighteous war, or under colour and pretence of public justice, or by suffering barbarous murders to go unpunished; for this the righteous God will make inquisition. 2. It is all full of lies; truth is banished from among them; there is no such thing as honesty; one knows not whom to believe nor whom to trust. 3. It is all full of robbery and rapine; no man cares what mischief he does, nor to whom he does it: The prey departs not, that is, they never know when they have got enough by spoil and oppression. They shed blood, and told lies, in pursuit of the prey, that they might enrich themselves. 4. There is a multitude of whoredoms in it, that is, idolatries, spiritual whoredoms, by which she defiled herself, and to which she seduced the neighbouring nations, as a well-favoured harlot, and sold and ruined nations through her whoredoms. 5. She is a mistress of witchcrafts, and by them she sells families, Nah 3:4. That which Nineveh aimed at was a universal monarchy, to be the metropolis of the world, and to have all her neighbours under her feet; to compass this, she used not only arms, but arts, compelling some, deluding others, into subjection to her, and wheedling them as a harlot by her charms to lay their necks under her yoke, suggesting to them that it would be for their advantage. She courted them to join with her in her idolatrous rites, to tie them the faster to her interests, and made use of her wealth, power, and greatness, to draw people into alliances with her, by which she gained advantages over them, and made a hand of them. These were her whoredoms, like those of Tyre, Isa 23:15, Isa 23:17. These were her witchcrafts, with which she unaccountably gained dominion. And for this that God has a quarrel with her who, having made of one blood all nations of men, never designed one to be a nation of tyrants and another of slaves, and who claims it as his own prerogative to be universal Monarch.

II. Nineveh condemned to ruin upon this indictment. Woe to this bloody city! Nah 3:1. See what this woe is.

1.Nineveh had with her cruelties been a terror and destruction to others, and therefore destruction and terror shall be brought upon her. Those that are for overthrowing all that come in their way will, sooner or later, meet with their match. (1.) Hear the alarm with which Nineveh shall be terrified, Nah 3:2. It is a formidable army that advances against it; you may hear them at a distance, the noise of the whip, driving the chariot-horses with fury; you may hear the noise of the rattling of the wheels, the prancing horses, and the jumping chariots; the very noise is frightful, but much more so when they know that all this force is coming with all this speed against them, and they are not able to make head against it. (2.) See the slaughter with which Nineveh shall be laid waste (Nah 3:3), the sword drawn with which execution shall be done, the bright sword lifted up and the glittering spear, the dazzling brightness of which is very terrible to those whom they are lifted up against. See what havoc these make when they are commissioned to slay: There is a great number of carcases, for the slain of the land shall be many; there is no end of their corpses; there is such a multitude of slain that it is in vain to go about to take the number of them; they lie so thick that passengers are ready to stumble upon their corpses at every step. The destruction of Sennacherib's army, which, in the morning, were all dead corpses, is perhaps looked upon here as a figure of the like destruction that should afterwards be in Nineveh; for those that will not take warning by judgments at a distance shall have them come nearer.

2.Nineveh had with her whoredoms and witchcrafts drawn others to shameful wickedness, and therefore God will load her with shame and contempt (Nah 3:5-7): The Lord of hosts is against her, and then she shall be exposed to the highest degree of disgrace and ignominy, shall not only lose all her charms, but shall be made to appear very odious. When it shall be seen that while she courted her neighbours it was with design to ruin their liberty and property, when all her wicked artifices shall be brought to light, then her shame is discovered to the nations. When her proud pretensions are baffled, and her vain towering hopes of an absolute and universal dominion brought to nought, and she appears not to have been so strong and considerable as she would have been thought to be, then to see the nakedness of the land do they come, and it appears ridiculous. Then do they cast abominable filth upon her, as upon a carted strumpet, and make her vile as the offscouring of all things; that great city, which all nations had made court to and coveted an alliance with, has become a gazing-stock, a laughing stock. Those that formerly looked upon her, and fled to her, in hopes of protection from her, now look upon her and flee from her, for fear of being ruined with her. Note, Those that abuse their honour and interest will justly be disgraced and abandoned, and, because miserable, will be made contemptible, and thereby be made more miserable. When Nineveh is laid waste who will bemoan her? Her trouble will be so great, and her sense of it so deep, as not to admit relief from sympathy, or any comforting considerations; or, if it would, none shall do any such good office: When shall I seek comforters for thee? Note, Those that showed no pity in the day of their power can expect to find no pity in the day of their fall. When those about Nineveh, that had been deceived by her wiles, come to be undeceived in her ruin, every one shall insult over her, and none bemoan her. This was Nineveh's fate, when she was made a spectacle, or gazing-stock. Note, The greater men's show was in the day of their abused prosperity the greater will their shame be in the day of their deserved destruction. I will make thee an example; so Drusus reads it. Note, When proud sinners are humbled and brought down it is designed that others should take example by them not to lift up themselves in security and insolence when they prosper in the world.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Nahum
(Verse 7) And it shall come to pass, that whoever sees you will flee from you, and say: Nineveh is laid waste; who will mourn for her? In Hebrew, there is no 'head', but we have added it to make the meaning clearer. Finally, Symmachus interpreted it as follows: And whoever sees you will depart from you and say: Nineveh is dispersed, who will mourn with her? Moreover, the Seventy: And it shall come to pass, that whoever sees you will descend from you and say: Wretched Nineveh, who will lament for her? Where shall I find a consolation fitting for her? ** Whoever sees the ruins of Nineveh, and sets it up as an example for all, will be filled with awe and wonder, and will say: Nineveh is destroyed, who will shake their head at you? That is, who will grieve for you, who will be your comforter? As long as you were powerful, like a cruel mistress, you had no pity for the old ((or old men)) or the little ones: you did not look upon the small ones: you did not prepare a companion for your mourning, because you did not want to have a partner in ruling. But whoever despises these earthly things, and looks down on the evil deeds of the witchcraft of Nineveh, and is not ensnared by its false beauty when they see all its ugliness within, and begins to hate what others love, they will flee and reject it, or as it is said in the Septuagint, they will descend. For as long as we honor earthly things, and think them to be lofty, we are like those who were once on the summit of pride, and we admire the beauty of Nineveh. But when we consider its nature, and despise all earthly goods as lowly, subjecting ourselves to the power of God's hand, then we will have mercy on the Ninevites, and we will judge all earthly goods as worthy of lamentation, and we will say: Wretched Nineveh, how many are ensnared by your snares, how many are bound by your chains! Who do you think will break free from you and descend from your pride, and judge you as miserable? But when he says, 'Who, do you think, is the faithful and prudent steward?' (Matthew 24:45)? And, 'Who is wise and will understand these things?' (Hosea 14:10)? And, 'Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord?' (Psalm 23:3)? Who, then, will lament over Nineveh? Who will be found, who, burdened with this tabernacle, will say with Paul, 'Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death?' (Romans 7:24)? We see every day, if death comes close to someone and they realize that they are being taken away from this world due to fever, injury, or any kind of illness, they panic, tremble, and cling to the embrace of the beautiful prostitute, barely able to be pulled away from her body. But what follows: Where can I find consolation, or a consoler for you, who can tune the chord? It is yet spoken in the persona of the one who will rebound or descend from Nineveh, and say: Miserable Nineveh, who will mourn for her? Discussing the confusion of this age, in which nothing can please anyone forever: but what pleased displeases, and what displeased, pleases again. Who, therefore, can be found as such a consoler? And (so to speak) a lyric writer and a harpist who can bring its dissonant strings into one harmony, and make the vocal sound praise to God? What we have explained, which is to bring together a chord, or one bringing together a chord, is called in Greek, ἁρμόσαι χορδὴν, but we have not found it in Hebrew, nor in the translations of others, but instead the beginning of another speech: Are you better than Amon who dwells in rivers? Therefore, it seems to me that it should be more closely connected with the following.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Nahum 3:7 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.