Nahum 3:7

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?

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?

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?"

Then all who see you will recoil from you and say, โ€˜Nineveh is devastated; who will grieve for her?โ€™ Where can I find comforters for you?โ€

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?

Commentary

Nahum 3:7 delivers a stark and chilling prophecy concerning the ultimate fate of Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. This verse vividly portrays the city's utter devastation and the complete absence of sympathy or comfort for its ruin.

Context of Nahum 3:7

The Book of Nahum is a prophetic oracle primarily directed against Nineveh, the powerful and notoriously cruel capital of Assyria. Written likely in the late 7th century BC, after Thebes (No-amon) had fallen (mentioned in Nahum 3:8) but before Nineveh's own destruction in 612 BC, the prophet proclaims God's righteous judgment against a city steeped in violence, idolatry, and oppression. This verse follows graphic descriptions of Nineveh's fall and plunder, emphasizing that its demise will be so complete and deserved that no one will lament its fate.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: This verse underscores God's unwavering justice against wickedness. Nineveh, known for its brutality and plundering, faces the full weight of divine wrath, as proclaimed earlier in Nahum 1:2, "The LORD is a jealous God and avenging."
  • Utter Desolation and Isolation: The phrase "Nineveh is laid waste" signifies total destruction and ruin. Furthermore, the rhetorical questions "who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?" highlight the complete lack of sorrow or support for the fallen city. Her former allies and victims will either flee in terror or feel no pity, leaving Nineveh utterly alone in its destruction.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Nahum's prophecy, including this specific depiction of Nineveh's desolation, was historically fulfilled when a coalition of Babylonians and Medes sacked the city in 612 BC, leaving it in ruins and largely forgotten for centuries. This serves as a powerful testament to the reliability of God's Word.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "laid waste" (ื‘ึธึผื–ึทื– - bazaz) often implies plundering and spoiling, emphasizing not just destruction but also the stripping away of all its riches and glory. The term "bemoan" (ื ื•ึผื“ - nud) signifies to lament, mourn, or show sympathy. The rhetorical questions powerfully convey that Nineveh's downfall will be met with indifference, or even relief, rather than sorrow, a stark contrast to how other cities might be mourned.

Practical Application

Nahum 3:7 serves as a timeless warning and a source of hope:

  • Consequences of Persistent Sin: It reminds us that unchecked pride, cruelty, and injustice, whether by individuals or nations, will ultimately face divine reckoning. God's justice will prevail, and those who sow wickedness will reap its devastating consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: For the oppressed, this verse offers comfort, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will bring their oppressors to account. It reinforces the truth that no power, no matter how mighty or seemingly invincible, can stand against the Lord's ultimate plans.
  • A Call to Reflection: It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, ensuring we do not emulate the destructive path of Nineveh, but instead pursue righteousness, compassion, and justice. The lack of mourning for Nineveh should serve as a sobering reminder of how our actions impact our legacy.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 15:5

    For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?

  • Isaiah 51:19

    These two [things] are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?

  • Revelation 18:10

    Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  • Numbers 16:34

    And all Israel that [were] round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up [also].

  • Jeremiah 51:9

    We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up [even] to the skies.

  • Lamentations 2:13

    What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach [is] great like the sea: who can heal thee?

  • Nahum 2:9

    Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for [there is] none end of the store [and] glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
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