Nahum 3 14

Nahum 3:14 kjv

Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

Nahum 3:14 nkjv

Draw your water for the siege! Fortify your strongholds! Go into the clay and tread the mortar! Make strong the brick kiln!

Nahum 3:14 niv

Draw water for the siege, strengthen your defenses! Work the clay, tread the mortar, repair the brickwork!

Nahum 3:14 esv

Draw water for the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay; tread the mortar; take hold of the brick mold!

Nahum 3:14 nlt

Get ready for the siege!
Store up water!
Strengthen the defenses!
Go into the pits to trample clay,
and pack it into molds,
making bricks to repair the walls.

Nahum 3 verses

Nahum 3 14 Meaning

This verse presents a powerful image of impending doom and utter destruction for the city of Nineveh, emphasizing its inability to escape the consequences of its actions. It speaks of a desperate attempt to flee and seek refuge, but ultimately, no sanctuary will be found. The verse underscores divine judgment falling upon the oppressor.

Nahum 3 14 Context

Nahum's prophecy centers on the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The chapter before vividly depicts the city's siege and downfall, portraying the chaos and terror that will engulf it. Nahum, writing after the Assyrian siege of Thebes but before Nineveh's fall, predicts a similar fate for the mighty Assyrian capital. Nineveh was known for its military might and its oppressive rule over other nations, including Israel. The book of Nahum is an oracle of judgment, confirming God's justice against those who afflict His people. This verse specifically speaks to the futile efforts of Nineveh to defend itself as the enemy approaches.

Nahum 3 14 Word Analysis

• "Draw thee water": (Hebrew: she'vū mayim, שְׂאוּ מַיִם) - Literally, "draw water." In a military context, this refers to preparing for a siege by ensuring a water supply for the city's inhabitants and for its own defenses, possibly to supply a moat or as a desperate measure to withstand thirst if the enemy cuts off external water sources.
• "for the siege": (Hebrew: lemāṣor, לַמָּצוֹר) - Denotes a siege, blockade, or fortification. It highlights the direct threat and the active defensive measures being taken.
• "fortify thy strong holds": (Hebrew: ḥazaqī qinyēnayik, חִזְּקִי קִנְיְנַיִךְ) - Means to strengthen your possessions, property, or stronghold. This implies reinforcing existing defenses or building new ones. The term qinyēnayik refers to possessions, which could encompass fortified places or valuable resources that the city sought to protect.
• "go into the clay": (Hebrew: bō'ī belah hāʾāphēr, בֹּאָכִי בַלָּה הֶעָפָר) - This phrase is challenging. Some interpretations suggest going into the "clay" could mean digging into the earth for safety or, more likely, submitting to the destructive forces that turn everything to dust and mud, indicating the utter ruin and collapse of their defenses. Another interpretation relates belah to consuming or melting away, implying a rapid destruction, perhaps by fire. The context leans towards utter devastation and helplessness, turning their strongholds to ruin.
• "strengthen the preparing": (Hebrew: haḥazaqī haḥăzūn, חַזְּקִי הֶחָזִין) - This likely means to strengthen the defense works or the prepared positions. It could also refer to making the tools and materials for defense more robust.
• "make strong the place of the rolling": (Hebrew: hakhshīrī mərqqeb et, הַכְשִׁירִי מַרְקֶדֶת) - This is also a difficult phrase. Some scholars suggest it refers to strengthening the ramparts or positions where battering rams or siege engines might be used. Another possibility is preparing machines for throwing stones or debris. The general sense is about bolstering their offensive/defensive military preparations, perhaps associated with siege engines. The word mərqqeb et is rare.

Word-by-word Analysis

• Draw: signifies action, drawing or fetching.
• thee: refers to Nineveh, addressed in the second person.
• water: essential resource, preparation for sustenance.
• for: indicating purpose, the reason for drawing water.
• the siege: the immediate military threat and active operation against the city.
• fortify: verb of strengthening, reinforcing.
• thy: possessive pronoun referring to Nineveh.
• strong holds: the defensive structures, fortified places.
• go: signifies movement, entrance.
• into: preposition indicating place or direction.
• the clay: a metaphor for earth, destruction, or possibly the source material of bricks (which were common in Mesopotamian construction) being destroyed or returned to formlessness.
• strengthen: repeat of fortify, emphasizing reinforcement.
• the preparing: refers to the preparations for defense or attack.
• make strong: similar to fortify, a call for greater strength.
• the place of the rolling: indicates specific defensive or offensive positions.

Nahum 3 14 Bonus Section

The futility of Assyria's military might was a testament to God's sovereign power over earthly kingdoms. Their history of military expansion and oppression against nations, including Israel and Judah, had marked them for judgment. Assyria, and specifically Nineveh, represents a powerful, proud empire that believed its fortifications and armies were unassailable. Nahum’s prophecy contrasts this human confidence with divine authority, showing that God orchestrates the rise and fall of empires according to His purposes. The Assyrian Empire was a fearsome military machine, known for its sieges and brutal tactics, yet Nahum proclaimed their impending annihilation. This message serves as a stark reminder to all nations and all times that military strength is no guarantee of lasting security. The prophetic burden in Nahum reflects the sorrow of the oppressed nations, who saw in Nineveh's eventual fall a vindication of God’s justice.

Nahum 3 14 Commentary

Nineveh, despite its supposed might and elaborate preparations, is depicted as ultimately futile in its defense against God's judgment. The verse describes a frantic and desperate attempt to shore up defenses, draw water for a protracted siege, and reinforce fortifications. However, the phrase "go into the clay" strongly suggests that these efforts will dissolve into ruin, as if their structures are reduced to mere mud and dust. The enemy's approach renders all their military preparations useless. This highlights the inadequacy of human power against divine decree. Their mightiest fortifications will offer no true safety. This speaks to the core biblical theme that true security lies in obedience to God, not in self-reliance or military might. All human defenses crumble when God has decreed destruction.