Nahum 3:8

¶ Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, [that had] the waters round about it, whose rampart [was] the sea, [and] her wall [was] from the sea?

Art thou better {H3190} than populous {H527}{H528} No {H4996}, that was situate {H3427} among the rivers {H2975}, that had the waters {H4325} round about {H5439} it, whose rampart {H2426} was the sea {H3220}, and her wall {H2346} was from the sea {H3220}?

Are you any better than No-Amon, located among the streams of the Nile, with water all around her, the flood her wall of defense?

Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water?

Art thou better than No-amon, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about her; whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was of the sea?

Context

Nahum 3:8 is part of the prophet Nahum's oracle against Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. This chapter vividly describes the reasons for Nineveh's impending destruction and the devastation that will befall it. In this verse, God, through Nahum, challenges Nineveh's perceived invincibility by drawing a stark comparison to "No" (Thebes), a once-mighty city that had already fallen. The rhetorical question, "Art thou better than populous No...?" serves to dismantle Nineveh's pride and assure them that their fate will be no different from other great cities that defied the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The fall of "No" serves as a powerful historical precedent, demonstrating God's absolute power to overthrow even the most formidable empires and cities. This underscores that Nineveh's destruction is not arbitrary but a righteous act of divine judgment. The Lord's power to execute judgment is a recurring theme in prophecy, as seen in Nahum 1:2-3, which speaks of God's vengeance and fury.
  • Pride Goes Before a Fall: Nineveh, like "No," was characterized by its immense power, wealth, and seemingly impenetrable defenses. The rhetorical question directly challenges Nineveh's arrogance, reminding it that no earthly strength can ultimately withstand God's decree. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • The Futility of Earthly Security: "No" relied on its natural defenses—rivers, waters, and its strategic location—much like Nineveh relied on its vast army and fortifications. The verse highlights that such human-made or natural securities are ultimately insufficient when God's judgment is at hand.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Populous No": This refers to the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, known in Hebrew as No or No-amon (City of Amon, referring to its chief deity). The Greeks called it Thebes. At its height, Thebes was one of the most powerful and wealthy cities in the ancient world, serving as the capital of Upper Egypt and a major religious center. Its fall to the Assyrians (specifically Ashurbanipal) in 663 BCE was a significant historical event, proving that even a city with such formidable natural and man-made defenses could be conquered.
  • "Rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea": This imagery emphasizes Thebes' natural defenses. The "sea" likely refers to the Nile River and its intricate network of canals and inundations that surrounded the city, forming a natural barrier. These waterways served as both a protective moat and a means of transportation, making the city exceptionally difficult to assault.

Practical Application

Nahum 3:8 serves as a timeless reminder that no nation, city, or individual can ultimately stand against the sovereign will of God. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and security.

  • Humility: It calls for humility, recognizing that human strength, wealth, or strategic advantage are fleeting and insufficient compared to divine power.
  • Trust in God: Instead of relying on worldly defenses or achievements, we are encouraged to place our faith and hope in God, who alone is an unshakeable refuge (Psalm 46:1).
  • Warning Against Arrogance: The verse warns against the dangers of national or personal arrogance, which often precedes a downfall. The ultimate power belongs to God, who "removeth kings, and setteth up kings," as highlighted in Daniel 2:21.
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.

  • Amos 6:2

    Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: [be they] better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?

  • Ezekiel 30:14

    And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.

  • Ezekiel 30:16

    And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph [shall have] distresses daily.

  • Jeremiah 46:25

    The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

  • Jeremiah 46:26

    And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 31:2

    Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?

  • 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.

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