front:intro x7kl 0 # Introduction to Nahum\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the Book of Nahum\n\n1. Nahum introduces this book (1:1)\n1. Yahweh will destroy his enemies (1:2–15)\n1. Nahum describes how Nineveh will fall (2:1–3:19)\n\n### What is the Book of Nahum about?\n\nThe Book of Nahum contains prophecies about how Yahweh would judge and punish Nineveh.\n\nNineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. They were threatening the southern kingdom of Judah. The book gave Judah hope that the Assyrians would be defeated.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\n“The Book of Nahum” or just “Nahum” is the traditional title of this book. Translators may choose to call it “The Sayings of Nahum.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote the Book of Nahum?\n\nThe prophet Nahum probably wrote this book. He was a prophet from Elkosh, an unknown city probably in Judah.\n\nNahum wrote before Nineveh fell in about 612 B.C. Nahum also mentions the destruction of Thebes, a city in Egypt, which happened about 663 B.C. Therefore, the Book of Nahum was written sometime between 663 and 612 B.C. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### What is the importance of the descriptions of locusts in 3:15–17?\n\nLocust attacks occurred often in the ancient Near East. Certain kinds of grasshoppers would come in countless numbers. There would be so many that they would darken the sky like a black cloud that blocked the sunlight. They often came after a long period of no rain. They came down on whatever crops were surviving in the fields and stripped them bare of their leaves. The locusts could not be stopped and caused terrible damage. For this reason, locust attacks served as a powerful image of military attacks in the Old Testament.\n\nThe original language of the Old Testament used various names for locusts. It is uncertain whether these names refer to different kinds of locusts or to the same kind of locust in different stages of growth. For this reason, versions of the Bible differ in how they translate these terms.\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### What emotions were present in the various speakers in the Book of Nahum?\n\nWhen Nahum spoke to the Israelites, he wanted to comfort them.\n\nWhen Nahum and Yahweh spoke against the Ninevites, they often mocked them. This manner of speech was similar to speech in the ancient Near East when conquerors laughed at their victims.\n\nIt is important for translators to present both emotions of comfort and of mockery when translating this book.
1:intro fa8i 0 # Nahum 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of this chapter) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\nDespite being divided into three chapters, this book consists of one long prophecy.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Yahweh’s anger against Nineveh\nThis prophecy should be read in reference to the book of Jonah. That book described how the people of Niniveh, Assyria’s capital city, repented when Jonah warned them that Yahweh was angry at them. The book of Nahum, written a little over one hundred years later than when Jonah was set, indicates that the Ninevites would be punished by God, but only after he had used them for his own purposes. These actions of Yahweh, although described as vengeance or anger, do not have the same sinful quality as they usually do with humans. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/avenge]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n### Complete destruction\n\nAt that time, Assyria controlled almost the entire Near East. Nahum prophesied that the Assyrians would be so completely destroyed as a nation that they would no longer even be a people group. This prophecy came true very suddenly.
1:1 wy4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism 0 # General Information:\n\nNahum describes the destruction of Nineveh in poetry.
1:1 na47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The declaration about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite 0 These words are an introduction to the entire book. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “This is the book of the vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite, which gives a declaration about Nineveh”
1:1 q626 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Elkoshite 0 A person from the village of Elkosh
1:2 z2vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor 0 # General Information:\n\nNahum begins to describe Yahweh coming to judge his enemies and to save his people. The vision is full of metaphorical language and uses different kinds of parallelism. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1:2 krb6 Yahweh 0 This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
1:2 z8hx full of wrath 0 Alternate translation: “very angry”
1:2 a6fz he continues his anger for 0 Alternate translation: “continues to be angry with”
1:3 t8dj slow to anger 0 Alternate translation: “slow to become angry”
1:3 e2y8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes he will not allow the wicked to go unpunished 0 This emphatic negative statement can be translated positively. Alternate translation: “he will always be sure to punish the wicked”
1:3 du22 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Yahweh makes his way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet 0 The biblical writers often associated Yahweh’s presence with powerful storms. Here Yahweh rides in strong storm winds and his feet are creating clouds by kicking up dust as he is coming to judge the people.
1:4 n6m5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Bashan is weak, and Carmel also; the flowers of Lebanon are weak 0 The word translated as “weak” can also mean “wither” or “dry out.” Bashan was known for its good pastureland where people tended sheep and cattle, “Carmel” refers to Mount Carmel, which was known for its tree orchards, and the snow from the mountains in Lebanon kept that place fertile. Since Yahweh dries up all the rivers and causes drought, these fertile places will no longer be fertile. Alternate translation: “The fields of Bashan wither, the trees of Mount Carmel die, and the flowers of Lebanon fade”
1:5 cg1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the hills melt 0 This could mean: (1) the earthquake causing the hills to crumble to pieces is spoken of as if the hills were melting or (2) the water from the storms coursing down the hills and causing them to erode is spoken of as if the hills were melting.
1:5 w6mf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis the world and all people who live in it 0 Here the word “world” refers to the inhabited places on the earth. The verb for this phrase is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “the world shakes and all the people who live in it collapse”
1:6 pb6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Who can stand before his wrath? Who can resist the fierceness of his anger? 0 These two rhetorical questions mean basically the same thing. They can be translated with statements. Alternate translation: “No one can stand before his wrath! No one can resist the fierceness of his anger!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
1:6 b6tk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor His wrath is poured out like fire 0 Nahum speaks of Yahweh’s anger as if it were a liquid that he pours out and which burns like fire. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “He pours out his wrath like fire” or “He expresses his fierce anger”
1:6 s5l3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the rocks are broken apart by him 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he breaks apart the rocks” or “he causes the rocks to break apart”
1:7 vrf3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor a stronghold … those who take refuge in him 0 Nahum speaks of Yahweh as if he were a place where people can be safe from those who wish to harm them, and of those who trust Yahweh to protect them as if they were taking refuge inside that safe place.
1:8 uz38 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he will make a full end to his enemies 0 The idiom “make a full end” refers to causing his enemies to die. Alternate translation: “he will completely destroy his enemies” or “he will kill all his enemies”
1:8 b39g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor with an overwhelming flood 0 Nahum speaks of Yahweh destroying his enemies in such a way that they will be powerless to avoid death as if Yahweh caused them to drown in a great flood of water.
1:8 n11u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy he will pursue them into darkness 0 Here the word “darkness” represents the place of the dead, which is characterized as a dark place. Nahum speaks of Yahweh killing his enemies as if he were chasing them into this dark place. Alternate translation: “he will cause all his enemies to die” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1:9 c1lk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What are you people plotting against Yahweh? 0 This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility of making evil plans against Yahweh. Alternate translation: “It is futile for you people to plot against Yahweh”
1:9 v6h3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom He will make a full end to it 0 The idiom “make a full end” refers to causing something to exist no longer. Alternate translation: “He will completely stop what you do” or “He will cause your plotting to fail”
1:9 d3wc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy trouble will not rise up a second time 0 This could mean: (1) “trouble” is a metonym for the punishment that Yahweh will inflict upon the people. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not have to punish you a second time” or (2) “trouble” refers to the trouble that the people cause by plotting against Yahweh. Alternate translation: “you will not cause trouble a second time”
1:10 fkc6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they will become tangled up like thornbushes 0 This metaphor could mean: (1) the people who plot against Yahweh will not be able to free themselves from the trouble that Yahweh will bring upon them, like a person who is tangled up in thornbushes cannot easily free himself or (2) just as thornbushes burn more quickly when they are tangled together, Yahweh will quickly destroy those who plot against him.
1:10 ip7l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they will be saturated in their own drink 0 Nahum speaks of those who plot against Yahweh suffering the consequences of their plans as if they were completely drunk with alcohol.
1:10 x8il rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they will be completely devoured by fire like dry stubble 0 Nahum speaks of Yahweh completely destroying those who plot against him as if fire would burn them up like fire burns up dry stubble. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “fire will completely devour them like it devours dry stubble” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
1:10 tg7c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor devoured by fire 0 Nahum speaks of fire burning something completely as if the fire were devouring that thing. Alternate translation: “burned up by fire”
1:12 p6cc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they will nevertheless be sheared 0 Yahweh speaks of destroying the people of Nineveh as if the were sheep that he will shear. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will nevertheless shear them” or “I will nevertheless destroy them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
1:13 qfl7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Now will I break that people’s yoke from off you; I will break your chains 0 Yahweh speaks of freeing Judah from Assyrian oppression as if he were breaking the yoke and chains that the Assyrians had placed on them. Alternate translation: “Now I will free you from that people and they will no longer oppress you”
1:14 en7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will cut off the carved figures and the cast metal figures from the houses of your gods 0 Yahweh speaks of destroying the Assyrian idols as if he were cutting them off, like a person would cut a branch from a tree. The word “house” is a metonym for the temples in which the people worshiped these idols. Alternate translation: “I will destroy the carved figures and the cast metal figures that are in the temples of your gods” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1:14 s2bh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will dig your graves 0 It is implied that Yahweh will also bury them in the graves that he digs for them. Alternate translation: “I will dig your graves and bury you in them”
1:15 n617 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche on the mountains there are the feet of someone who is bringing good news 0 Here the word “feet” represent the person who is running in order to declare a message. Alternate translation: “on the mountains there is someone who is bringing good news”
1:15 ink2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he is completely cut off 0 Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh being completely destroyed as if they had been cut off, like a person would cut a branch from a tree. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he is completely destroyed” or “Yahweh has completely destroyed him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:intro m3yl 0 # Nahum 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of chapter 1) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\nDespite being divided into three chapters, this book contains one long prophecy.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Complete destruction\n\nAt that time, Assyria controlled almost the entire Near East. Nahum prophesied that the Assyrians would be so completely destroyed as a nation that they would no longer even be a people group. This prophecy came true and did so very suddenly. At times, this chapter is very violent in describing the destruction of Assyria, and this violence should not be toned down through the use of euphemism.
2:1 c5dg rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry 0 # General Information:\n\nNahum often wrote prophecy in the form of poetry. Hebrew poetry uses different kinds of parallelism. Here he begins to describe the destruction of Nineveh. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
2:1 xj69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The one who will dash you to pieces 0 The word “you” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of an army or military leader destroying Nineveh as if he were to shatter Nineveh like one would shatter a clay pot. Alternate translation: “The one who will destroy you”
2:1 m6by The one who will dash you 0 The person who is “the one” is not clear, so translate using a general term. Alternate translation: “Someone who will break you”
2:1 ahz9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom is coming up against you 0 The idiom to “come against” means to attack. Alternate translation: “is preparing to attack you”
2:1 v7ei rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony Man the city walls, guard the roads, make yourselves strong, assemble your armies 0 Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh. He tells them to prepare for battle, although he knows that the enemy will destroy the city.
2:1 cpd7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Man the city walls 0 Nineveh had a large, thick wall surrounding it. This refers to placing soldiers on the top of the wall in order to fight off attackers. This can be translated with a more general phrase if necessary. Alternate translation: “Man the fortifications” or “Prepare the defenses”
2:1 l226 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom make yourselves strong 0 This is an idiom that means to prepare oneself for action. Here it applies to military action. Alternate translation: “prepare yourselves for battle”
2:2 u4fb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of Jacob, like the majesty of Israel 0 The words “Jacob” and “Israel” are metonyms for the people who are descended from Jacob. This could mean: (1) the word “Jacob” refers to the southern kingdom and the word “Israel” refers to the northern kingdom. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of Judah, as he promised to restore the majesty of Israel” or (2) both “Jacob” and “Israel” refer to the nation as a whole, included both northern and southern kingdoms and the two lines are parallel. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is restoring the majesty of all Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
2:2 i6w3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor destroyed their vine branches 0 This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor in which the Assyrians taking away Israel’s possessions by force is spoken of as if Israel were a vine whose branches the Assyrians had stripped bare. Alternate translation: “robbed them of all of their possession, like one would strip bare vine branches” or (2) the words “vine branches” are a synecdoche for the agricultural fields throughout the nation. Alternate translation: “destroyed their fields of crops” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
2:3 sal2 The shields of his mighty men are red 0 This could mean: (1) the shields appear red as the light from the sun reflects upon their metal surfaces or (2) the shields are covered with leather that has been dyed red.
2:3 tt35 his mighty men 0 the soldiers of the one “who will dash” Nineveh “to pieces” ([Nahum 2:1](../02/01.md)).
2:3 shs8 the chariots flash with their metal 0 This likely refers to the light from the sun reflecting upon the metal chariots.
2:3 i6a3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive on the day that they are made ready 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when the soldiers have made them ready” or “when the soldiers have prepared them to attack”
2:3 jtg2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the cypress spears are waved in the air 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the soldiers wave their cypress spears in the air”
2:3 b24s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown cypress 0 a type of tree whose wood is good for weapons
2:4 m4y1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile They look like torches 0 Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots with torches whose fire gives light.
2:4 vee1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile they run like lightning 0 Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots, and the quickness with which the chariots move, with lightning that flashes quickly in the sky.
2:5 c6g1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The one who will dash you to pieces 0 The word “you” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of an army or military leader destroying Nineveh as if he were to shatter Nineveh like one would shatter a clay pot. See how you translated this in [Nahum 2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “The one who will destroy you”
2:5 frd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns in their march 0 The word “march” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “as they march”
2:5 s3zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The large shield is made ready to protect these attackers 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The attackers make ready the large shield to protect themselves”
2:5 t834 The large shield 0 This refers to a large cover that those who besieged a city would set up over themselves and their battering rams to protect themselves against the arrows and other projectiles with which the people in the city would attack them.
2:6 l4xl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The gates at the rivers are forced open 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy forces open the gates at the rivers”
2:7 v7es rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Huzzab is stripped of her clothes and is taken away 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy strips Huzzab of her clothes and takes her away”
2:7 x5zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown Huzzab is stripped of her clothes and is taken away 0 The exact meaning of the word “Huzzab” is uncertain. Two This could mean: (1) it is the name of a queen in Nineveh and the sentence means that the attacking soldiers have stripped her of her clothes in order to humiliate her and then have carried her off into captivity or (2) it is the name of an idol and the sentence means that the attackers have stripped the gold and silver off the idol and have carried it away. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2:7 wzf8 her female servants moan like doves 0 The moaning sounds that the female servants make sound like the sounds that doves make.
2:7 c3va her female servants 0 If the word “Huzzab” refers to a queen, then this phrase refers to the young women who attended her. If the word “Huzzab” refers to an idol, then this phrase refers to the young women who worked as temple prostitutes.
2:7 ya8w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction beating on their breasts 0 Beating one’s breast was a gesture used to express great mourning.
2:8 awl5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Nineveh is like a leaking pool of water, with its people fleeing away like rushing water 0 Nahum compares the way that the people flee from the city of Nineveh with the way that water gushes from a reservoir of water when the dam has been broken.
2:9 e4pv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe Take the silver plunder … Nineveh’s beautiful things 0 It is not clear who is speaking here. This may be an apostrophe in which Nahum gives directions to the attackers, or the attackers may be speaking and giving directions to one another.
2:9 t4z8 Take the silver plunder, take the gold plunder 0 The word “plunder” means things stolen by force, usually in war. Alternate translation: “Take the silver as plunder, take the gold as plunder” or “Take the silver, take the gold”
2:9 tli3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole there is no end to it 0 The words “no end” are an exaggeration to express that there is a great amount of something. Alternate translation: “there is so much of it”
2:9 sn5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis to the splendor of all Nineveh’s beautiful things 0 This phrase refers to the silver, gold, and other treasures in Nineveh. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “there is no end to the splendor of all Nineveh’s beautiful treasures”
2:10 dib5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Everyone’s heart melts 0 Nahum speaks of the people losing courage as if their hearts melt like wax. Alternate translation: “Everyone loses courage”
2:10 haf9 everyone’s knees strike together 0 This describes a physical response to great fear. The people’s legs shake so badly that their knees knock together and they are unable to walk or run.
2:11 as2e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor 0 # General Information:\n\nIn these verses, Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh as if they were a group of lions, and of the city Nineveh as if it were their den. The metaphor speaks of the way in which the Assyrians would conquer other people and take their possessions as their own as if they were lions hunting prey and bringing the dead animals back to their den.
2:11 n3ki rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where now is the lions’ den … afraid of nothing? 0 Nahum uses this rhetorical question to mock Nineveh, which has been destroyed. Alternate translation: “The lions’ den is nowhere to be found … afraid of nothing.” or “Look at what has become of the lions’ den … afraid of nothing!”
2:12 f91d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit he strangled victims 0 “he choked victims.” This is probably a reference to the way that lions usually kill their prey, by biting its throat. Alternate translation: “he killed his victims”
2:12 f3cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism filled his cave with victims, his dens with torn carcasses 0 These two phrases are saying the same thing in different ways. The verb may be supplied for the second phrase. Alternate translation: “filled his cave with victims, and filled his dens with torn carcasses” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
2:13 mzs1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the sword will devour your young lions 0 Here the word “sword” is a metonym for soldiers who attack with swords and is spoken of as if it were a person who eats its victims. Nahum also continues to speak to the people of Nineveh as if they were lions. Alternate translation: “attackers will kill your people with swords” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2:13 qg4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will cut off your prey from your land 0 Yahweh speaks of the people of Nineveh as if they were lions who preyed upon the nations. This could mean: (1) the word “prey” is a metonym for the things that they have taken from those upon whom they preyed, and Yahweh speaks of taking those things away from them as if it were cutting off their prey. Alternate translation: “I will take away from your land all the things that you took from others” or (2) Yahweh speaks of the nations whom the people of Nineveh had plundered as if they were Nineveh’s prey, and preventing Nineveh from plundering any more nations as if he were cutting off their prey. Alternate translation: “I will stop you from preying upon any other nation” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2:13 vf1s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the voices of your messengers will be heard no more 0 This likely refers to the messengers that the Assyrians sent out to other nations to demand surrender or payment of tribute. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will ever hear the voices of your messengers again”
3:intro k8ee 0 # Nahum 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers and songs. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of the entire book (except for verse 1 of chapter 1) farther to the right on the page than regular text because they are poetic prophecy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\nDespite being divided into three chapters, the book contains one long prophecy.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Euphemism\n\nThis chapter speaks about the evils of the Assyrians in violent ways. It is important to avoiding toning down this language through the use of euphemism, if at all possible. Although there is some hyperbole, the reader should not assume that the author intends this writing to be taken as completely hyperbolic. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])
3:1 ki6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the city full of blood 0 Here the word “blood” represents bloodshed and refers to the people who have committed murder. Alternate translation: “the city full of murderers”
3:1 b6sa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy It is all full of lies 0 Here the word “lies” is a metonym for those who tell lies. Alternate translation: “It is full of liars”
3:2 n52r the noise of whips and the sound of rattling wheels, prancing horses, and bounding chariots 0 These phrases describe the sound of chariots rushing through the streets as their drivers use their whips on the horses.
3:3 isx6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism heaps of corpses, great piles of bodies 0 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and indicate that there were so many dead bodies that the attackers piled them in heaps.
3:3 k9um rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole There is no end to the bodies 0 The words “no end” are an exaggeration for the great number of bodies that the attackers piled into heaps. Alternate translation: “There are too many bodies to count” or “There are a great number of bodies”
3:4 x2uc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the lustful actions of the beautiful prostitute 0 Nahum speaks of Nineveh causing other nations to be subject to her as if the city were a prostitute who seduces men with her beauty.
3:4 zv4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the expert in witchcraft 0 Nahum speaks of Nineveh causing other nations to be subject to her as if the city were a witch who casts a spells on others.
3:4 b3x1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit who sells nations through her prostitution, and peoples through her acts of witchcraft 0 Here the word “sells” implies that the people of Nineveh cause other nations and peoples to become slaves. Nineveh uses her beauty, power, and influence to make others her slaves. Alternate translation: “who by her prostitution and witchcraft causes the people of other nations to become her slaves”
3:5 x2lm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will raise up your skirt over your face and show your private parts to the nations 0 This refers to the practice of publicly humiliating prostitutes by stripping them naked in front of the community. This continues the metaphor of Yahweh speaking of the city of Nineveh as if it were a prostitute. Alternate translation: “I will publicly humiliate you, as one would humiliate a prostitute by raising up her skirt over her face and showing her private parts to all the people”
3:5 qx5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis your shame to the kingdoms 0 This phrase explains the purpose of lifting up Nineveh’s skirt. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “I will show your shame to the kingdoms”
3:6 s894 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction I will throw disgusting filth on you 0 The words “disgusting filth” refer to all kinds of garbage. Throwing garbage at a person was a sign of strong contempt. Alternate translation: “I will show my contempt for you, like a person would throw disgusting filth at another”
3:7 wgg3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion who will weep for her? 0 The people ask this rhetorical question to emphasize the negative answer. Alternate translation: “no one will weep for her.”
3:7 ysl2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where can I find anyone to comfort you? 0 Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there will be no one who will be able to comfort Nineveh. Alternate translation: “There will be no one to comfort you.”
3:8 v76u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy 0 # General Information:\n\nNahum speaks to the people of Nineveh as though they were the city itself.
3:8 ii6k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion are you better than Thebes … itself? 0 Nahum asks this rhetorical question to emphasize the negative answer that it anticipates. Alternate translation: “you are not better than Thebes … itself.”
3:8 c7qr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Thebes 0 This was the former capital of Egypt, which the Assyrians had conquered.
3:8 a2y2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor whose defense was the ocean, whose wall was the sea itself 0 These two phrases share similar meanings. The words “ocean” and “sea” both refer to the Nile River, which ran near the city. Nahum speaks of the Nile as if it were the wall that protected the city. Alternate translation: “which had the Nile river as its defenses, as some cities have a wall for theirs” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
3:9 knv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole there was no end to it 0 The word “it” refers to the “strength” that Cush and Egypt gave to Thebes. That there was no end to it is a hyperbole that expresses the great amount of strength. Alternate translation: “their strength was very great”
3:9 c9nd rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Put and Libya 0 These are the names of places in northern Africa that were close to Thebes.
3:10 jt2a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yet Thebes was carried away 0 The word “Thebes” represents the people who lived in Thebes. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yet those who attacked Thebes carried the people away” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
3:10 h6s7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy she went into captivity 0 The word “she” refers to Thebes and represents the people who lived there. Alternate translation: “they went into captivity”
3:10 jht3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive her young children were dashed in pieces 0 This is a brutal description of the soldiers killing children. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “enemy soldiers dashed her young children to pieces” or “enemy soldiers beat her young children to death”
3:10 h7t9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor at the head of every street 0 The beginning of a street is spoken of as if it were the head. Also, “every” is a generalization that means many places all over the city. Alternate translation: “on every street corner” or “in the streets all over the city” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
3:10 hyc8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive all her great men were bound in chains 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they bound all her great men in chains”
3:11 esd7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You also will become drunk 0 Here the word “You” refers to Nineveh. Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh suffering and dying in battle as if they had become drunk from drinking too much wine.
3:12 lb3t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit All your fortresses 0 Here, the word **fortresses** could mean: (1) it refers to Nineveh’s fortifications, such as the wall that surrounded the city Alternate translation: “All of your fortifications” or “All of your defenses” or (2) it refers to the fortified cities that were situated along Assyria’s borders and prevented enemy armies from attacking Nineveh. Alternate translation: “All of your fortified cities”
3:12 uf4q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the earliest ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater 0 Nahum compares the ease with which the attackers will conquer Nineveh with the ease with which a person can cause ripe figs to fall from a tree. Alternate translation: “Your enemies will destroy your fortresses as easily as a person can shake a fig tree and eat the first ripe figs that fall”
3:12 c8tt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the earliest ripe figs 0 This refers to the figs that would ripen first on the tree. These figs fell from the tree easily, so that a person only had to shake the tree to make them fall. Figs that ripened later would require a person to climb the tree and pick them by hand.
3:12 w2un rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive if they are shaken 0 “if the trees are shaken.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if a person shakes the trees”
3:12 k7ym rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole they fall into the mouth of the eater 0 “the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.” This is an exaggeration. By saying that the figs fall from the tree into the mouth of the one who eats it, Nahum emphasizes that the figs are ready to eat immediately. Alternate translation: “a person can eat the fig immediately”
3:13 le29 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the people among you are women 0 In this ancient culture, women were not warriors for a number of reasons, including their being generally weaker physically than men. Here Nahum speaks of Nineveh’s warriors losing their strength and courage to fight as if the people in the city were all women. Alternate translation: “your people are all like women who are weak and cannot defend themselves”
3:13 cv1a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the gates of your land have been opened wide to your enemies 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the gates of your land are wide open to your enemies” or “someone has opened wide to your enemies the gates of your land”
3:13 sc8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the gates of your land have been opened wide to your enemies 0 This could mean: (1) if “fortresses” in v. 12 refers to the Nineveh’s defenses, then “the gates of your land” refers to the gates in the walls around Nineveh. Alternate translation: “the gates of your city are wide open for your enemies to attack” or (2) if “fortresses” in v. 12 refers to the fortified cities that were situated along Assyria’s borders, then “the gates of your land” is a metaphor in which those cities are spoken of as if they were gates that prevented enemy armies from entering the land. Alternate translation: “your land is defenseless before your enemies because they have destroyed the cities that protected your borders”
3:13 ea7i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor fire has devoured their bars 0 This could mean: (1) if “fortresses” in v. 12 refers to the Nineveh’s defenses, then “their bars” refers to the bars that locked the gates in the walls around Nineveh. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed the bars that lock your city gates” or (2) if “fortresses” in v. 12 refers to the fortified cities that were situated along Assyria’s borders, then “their bars” is a metaphor in which those cities are spoken of as if they were locked gates that prevented enemy armies from entering the land. Alternate translation: “the cities on your borders can no longer protect you, just as gates can no longer protect a city when fire has destroyed their bars”
3:13 i4p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor fire has devoured 0 Nahum speaks of fire burning up and destroying as if fire were eating. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed” or “fire has burned up”
3:14 w932 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony Go draw water for the siege … pick up the molds for the bricks 0 Nahum speaks to the people of Nineveh. He tells them to prepare for battle and to repair the walls, although he knows that the enemy will destroy the city.
3:14 d5xh strengthen your fortresses 0 Alternate translation: “repair the fortifications”
3:14 tja5 go into the clay and tread the mortar; pick up the molds for the bricks 0 These phrases refer to making mud bricks that they will use to repair the city’s wall.
3:15 x9p7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Fire will devour you there 0 Nahum speaks of fire burning and destroying as if it were eating. Alternate translation: “Fire will destroy you there” or “Your enemies will burn you with fire there”
3:15 f3iu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the sword will destroy you 0 Here the word “sword” is a metonym for the enemies who will attack with swords. Alternate translation: “your enemies will kill you with their swords”
3:15 cwk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification It will devour you as young locusts devour everything 0 The word “It” refers to the “sword,” which is personified as eating those whom it kills. The soldiers using their swords to kill everyone in Nineveh is compared with the way that a swarm of locusts eats every plant in its path. Alternate translation: “Your enemies’ swords will kill all of you, just as easily as a swarm of locusts devours everything in its path” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
3:15 mx6w Make yourselves as many as the young locusts, as many as the full-grown locusts 0 These words begin a new paragraph where Nahum compares the number of people in Nineveh with the large number of locusts in a swarm.
3:16 h3mk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy 0 # General Information:\n\nNahum speaks to the people of Nineveh as though they were the city itself.
3:16 f5ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars in the heavens 0 This exaggeration emphasizes the great number of merchants who lived and worked in Nineveh. Alternate translation: “It is as if you have more merchants than there are stars in the sky” or “You have more merchants than anyone could count”
3:16 jax3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile they are like young locusts: they plunder the land and then fly away 0 Nahum compares the way that these merchants, who have made their profit by selling their goods in Nineveh, will flee from the city when the battle begins with the way that locusts fly away after they have eaten all of the plants in their path.
3:17 g39b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile your generals are like swarms of them that camp in the walls on a cold day. But when the sun rises they fly away 0 Nahum compares the way that the officials in Nineveh will flee when the battle starts with the way that locusts will remain still while it is cold, but will fly away when the sun rises and the air becomes warm.
3:18 mzz1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism your shepherds are asleep; your rulers are lying down resting 0 These two lines share similar meanings. Nahum speaks of the leaders of Assyria as if they were shepherd who are to care for their sheep. He speaks of the shepherds and rulers dying as if they had fallen asleep. Alternate translation: “your leaders who are like shepherds are dead; your rulers are all dead” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3:18 r6bi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Your people are scattered on the mountains 0 Nahum speaks of the people of Nineveh as if they were sheep that scatter after the shepherds have died. Alternate translation: “Your people are scattered like sheep on the mountains”
3:19 ik24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor No healing is possible for your wounds. Your wounds are severe 0 Nahum speaks of the certainty of the destruction of Nineveh and the defeat of its king as if the king had suffered an incurable wound.
3:19 eje9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns No healing is possible for your wounds 0 The word “healing” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “No one is able to heal your wounds”
3:19 ac74 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who has escaped your constant wickedness? 0 This rhetorical question emphasizes the negative answer that it anticipates. All of the nations that were near Assyria had suffered because of Assyria’s constant wickedness. Alternate translation: “No one has escaped your constant wickedness.”
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