Nahum 3 18

Nahum 3:18 kjv

Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.

Nahum 3:18 nkjv

Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; Your nobles rest in the dust. Your people are scattered on the mountains, And no one gathers them.

Nahum 3:18 niv

King of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your nobles lie down to rest. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them.

Nahum 3:18 esv

Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them.

Nahum 3:18 nlt

Your shepherds are asleep, O Assyrian king;
your princes lie dead in the dust.
Your people are scattered across the mountains
with no one to gather them together.

Nahum 3 verses

Nahum 3 18 Meaning

Nahum 3:18 powerfully depicts the catastrophic and irreversible downfall of the Assyrian Empire, specifically its capital Nineveh. It illustrates a complete collapse of leadership and social order, portraying the ruling elite as incapacitated or deceased, and the common people as utterly fragmented and unprotected, without hope of reassembly. This prophesies an end marked by chaos and abandonment, highlighting God's complete and final judgment upon this cruel empire.

Nahum 3 18 Context

Historical Context: The book of Nahum targets Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This empire was renowned for its brutal military campaigns, deportations, and oppressive rule, terrorizing the ancient Near East for centuries. Judah, though often threatened and subjugated by Assyria, would have felt a strong sense of relief and justice in Nineveh's predicted fall. The fall of Thebes (No-amon) in Egypt (Nahum 3:8-10) by Assyria served as a powerful precedent for Nineveh's eventual doom. The prophecy itself precedes Nineveh's historical destruction in 612 BC by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes.

Immediate Chapter Context: Chapter 3 opens with a declaration of "Woe to the bloody city" (Nahum 3:1), exposing Nineveh's depravity characterized by violence, lies, and plunder (Nahum 3:1-4). God declares His judgment, making her a spectacle of disgrace (Nahum 3:5-7). The chapter proceeds to mock Nineveh's past glories and military strength, showing their futility against divine judgment (Nahum 3:13-17). This sets the stage for the complete systemic collapse described in Nahum 3:18-19, emphasizing the totality and irreversibility of Nineveh's downfall.

Book's Theme: The central theme of Nahum is the "burden" or "oracle" concerning Nineveh (Nahum 1:1). It highlights God's justice (Nahum 1:2-8), His patience, but ultimately His unyielding judgment against persistent wickedness. While a message of doom for Nineveh, it is simultaneously a message of comfort and good tidings for Judah (Nahum 1:15), affirming God's sovereignty over history and nations and demonstrating His active intervention on behalf of His people against their oppressors.

Nahum 3 18 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis:

  • "Thy" (lāḵ): A second-person singular possessive pronoun, directly addressing "O king of Assyria." It highlights the personal responsibility and the direct impact of the impending judgment upon the very top of Assyria's leadership.
  • "shepherds" (rō‘ayikh): Figurative language used to represent the political, military, and administrative leaders, commanders, and officials. In the ancient Near East, kings were often seen as "shepherds" of their people. Their failure denotes the collapse of the entire leadership structure.
  • "slumber" (yāšaḇū): Literally "they lie down" or "are resting." In this context, it signifies a state of profound inertia, complete incapacity, or even death. It can imply being rendered passive and unresponsive to the looming threat, unable to lead or protect. This contrasts sharply with the vigilance expected of true shepherds.
  • "O king" (meleḵ): Direct vocative address to the reigning monarch of Assyria. This places the ultimate responsibility and the brunt of the prophecy directly on the figurehead of the oppressive empire, signifying the personal end of his reign and dynasty.
  • "of Assyria" (ʾaššūr): The geographical and political entity, specifically denoting the mighty empire whose catastrophic demise is foretold. This clarifies the prophecy's immense scope and specific target.
  • "thy nobles" (’addirāyiḵ): Refers to the powerful ones, magnates, high-ranking military leaders, or the valiant, wealthy elite of Assyrian society. These were the pillars of the empire's strength and social order.
  • "shall dwell" (yišḵēnū): "To settle," "reside," or "lie permanently." Here, it connotes a fixed and irreversible state.
  • "in the dust" (bā-‘āp̄ār): A profound metaphor for death, decay, humiliation, and the grave. It contrasts their former high status and power with an utterly demeaning and irreversible end. This signifies total destruction and the physical demise of the elite.
  • "thy people" (‘ammēḵ): Refers to the general populace, including soldiers, common citizens, and subjects. Their fate represents the complete breakdown of the societal fabric beyond just the leadership.
  • "is scattered" (nip̄raṣū): "To break open," "burst forth," or "spread out." Here, it implies utter dispersal, fragmentation, and chaotic disorganization. It dramatically contrasts with the Assyrian reputation for rigid military discipline and organized campaigns.
  • "upon the mountains" (‘al-hehārîm): A geographical image suggesting places of flight, exposure, vulnerability, and abandonment. Far from the security and order of their city or organized camps, the people are helpless, without shelter or defense.
  • "and no man" (wəʾēn məqabbēṣ): Literally, "and there is no gatherer." This crucial phrase signifies absolute desolation, a lack of leadership or strength to restore order, and the irreversible nature of their state.
  • "gathereth them" (ləqaṣṣêh): The act of collecting, reassembling, or bringing together. The definitive absence of one to gather them underscores the permanent dispersion and the terminal dissolution of the Assyrian nation as a cohesive entity.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria": This powerful phrase encapsulates the complete incapacitation of Assyria's entire command structure. The "shepherds" (leaders and military commanders), led by the "king," are rendered inactive. This "slumber" suggests either literal death, a divinely induced stupor, or profound helplessness, meaning no one remains to strategize, defend, or protect the empire, marking a severe dereliction of duty and a state of complete vulnerability.
  • "thy nobles shall dwell in the dust": This highlights the ignominious end of Assyria's once-mighty and privileged class. The "nobles," representing the military, social, and economic strength, are now destined to "dwell in the dust"—a vivid metaphor for death, humiliation, and reduction to nothingness. It underscores that even the most powerful within the empire are utterly destroyed, losing all their former glory and influence.
  • "thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them": This vivid description illustrates the ultimate consequence of the leadership's failure and the nobles' demise. The common people are "scattered," indicating a complete breakdown of societal order, driven by fear and chaos, abandoning their cities and protection. "Upon the mountains" further emphasizes their exposed and desperate state. The final declaration, "no man gathereth them," signifies the absolute and irreversible nature of their dispersion, implying no remnant, no leader, and no hope for re-establishment, signaling the utter collapse and abandonment of the nation.

Nahum 3 18 Bonus section

• This verse starkly contrasts Nineveh's past, when it acted as the great gatherer of spoils and peoples from conquered nations. Now, the tables are turned, and Assyria itself is the one being scattered, with no hope of reassembly.
• The phrase "slumber" or "lie down" carries a double entendre, referring not just to sleep but to lying down in death. This intensifies the imagery of complete incapacitation among the leaders.
• The complete and utter breakdown of social order described here underlines God's sovereignty over earthly empires, showing that even the most formidable human structures are transient and vulnerable to divine judgment.
• The lack of a "gatherer" highlights the irreversible nature of this judgment; Assyria's downfall is not merely a temporary setback but a definitive end to its imperial power and cohesion.
• The repetitive use of "thy" (thy shepherds, thy nobles, thy people) throughout the verse directly personalizes the disaster, directing the blame and the consequence specifically at the "king of Assyria" and, by extension, his entire oppressive regime.

Nahum 3 18 Commentary

Nahum 3:18 serves as the climactic declaration of Assyria's complete and irreversible downfall, echoing divine justice against an empire characterized by unparalleled cruelty and arrogance. It meticulously dismantles every layer of Assyrian society: the leadership, the aristocracy, and the common people. The "slumbering shepherds" represent an incapacitated or unresponsive leadership, unable to guide or defend their people against the coming judgment, signifying a fatal weakness at the top. The "nobles dwelling in the dust" powerfully portrays the physical death and ultimate degradation of Assyria's proud elite, symbolizing the obliteration of their former power, wealth, and status. Finally, "thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them" paints a bleak picture of societal disintegration. This depicts the common populace as utterly fragmented, leaderless, and abandoned, highlighting that there will be no one left to restore or reassemble the shattered nation. This divine decree guarantees a final and permanent end to the oppressive Assyrian Empire, offering comfort and vindication to the nations it tormented.