Nahum 3 7

Nahum 3:7 kjv

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?

Nahum 3:7 nkjv

It shall come to pass that all who look upon you Will flee from you, and say, 'Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her?' Where shall I seek comforters for you?"

Nahum 3:7 niv

All who see you will flee from you and say, 'Nineveh is in ruins?who will mourn for her?' Where can I find anyone to comfort you?"

Nahum 3:7 esv

And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, "Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her?" Where shall I seek comforters for you?

Nahum 3:7 nlt

All who see you will shrink back and say,
'Nineveh lies in ruins.
Where are the mourners?'
Does anyone regret your destruction?"

Nahum 3 verses

Nahum 3 7 meaning

This verse is a poignant prophetic declaration of Nineveh's utter desolation and isolation. It portrays a scene where the once mighty city, a symbol of terror and oppression, lies so utterly ruined that all who witness its downfall will turn away in revulsion or fear. The subsequent rhetorical questions, "Who will bemoan her?" and "Whence shall I seek comforters for thee?", underscore the complete absence of pity or sympathy from any quarter. Instead, Nineveh's collapse is met with universal relief, not lament, due to its own legacy of cruelty.

Nahum 3 7 Context

Nahum chapter 3 vividly describes the final destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, through striking, often brutal, imagery. The verses leading up to Nahum 3:7 portray the city as a "bloody city" (v. 1), full of lies, plunder, and the instruments of war – chariots, horsemen, and flashing swords – leaving countless dead bodies (v. 2-3). God declares His judgment against Nineveh because of its widespread harlotry (spiritual apostasy, idolatry) and witchcraft, through which it enslaved and exploited nations (v. 4-6). Verse 6 states that God Himself will uncover her shame and make her a spectacle. Thus, Nahum 3:7 marks the culminating point of this divine judgment, prophesying the immediate and absolute social consequence: total rejection and lack of any comfort for the city that was once the terror of the ancient world. Historically, Assyria's reign of terror included brutal treatment of conquered peoples, leading to a deep desire for their downfall among surrounding nations, particularly Judah. The fall of Nineveh (circa 612 BC) was widely celebrated by its enemies, notably the Babylonians and Medes, precisely as this verse predicts.

Nahum 3 7 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass (וְהָיָה - v'hayah): This is a standard prophetic opening in Hebrew, indicating a future event that is certain to occur, emphasizing the divine decree behind the unfolding disaster. It signals a declarative pronouncement of assured outcome.
• all they that look upon thee (כָל־רֹאֵיךְ - kol-ro'ayikh): "All observers." This signifies universal viewership of Nineveh's destruction. The "thee" refers directly to Nineveh, personalized as a woman who is exposed and disgraced (v. 5-6). It highlights that no one will be able to ignore her fate.
• shall flee from thee (יִדְּדוּ מִמֵּךְ - yidd'du mim'mek): From the root nadad (נָדַד), meaning "to flee, waver, remove." It denotes a rapid, often fearful, withdrawal or a migration. Here, it implies people abandoning Nineveh swiftly, not in pity or help, but out of fear, abhorrence, or desire to distance themselves from its catastrophic downfall.
• and say (וְאָמַר - v'amar): This introduces the direct speech that reflects the collective sentiment of the witnesses. It signifies a public, communal acknowledgment and pronouncement of Nineveh's ruin.
• Nineveh is laid waste (נָשַׁמָּה נִינְוֵה - nashamnah Ninveh): Nasham (נָשַׁם) means to be desolate, ruined, or appalled. The perfect tense indicates a completed, definitive state of utter destruction. This is not a partial defeat but a complete and irreversible desolation of the city.
• who will bemoan her? (מִי יָנוּד לָהּ - mi yanud lah): Nud (נוּד) means to "moan, lament, show sympathy by shaking the head, or wandering aimlessly." This rhetorical question powerfully emphasizes that no one will express grief, sorrow, or sympathy for Nineveh's fate. It signals the complete absence of lamentation from former allies or conquered nations, replaced by either indifference or silent satisfaction.
• whence shall I seek comforters for thee? (מֵאַיִן אֲבַקֵּשׁ לָךְ מְנַחֲמִים - me'ayin avaqqesh lakh menachamim): This second rhetorical question intensifies the isolation. Menachamim (מְנַחֲמִים) are professional mourners or those who offer consolation. The question implies an exhaustive search would yield nothing because there simply are no comforters for Nineveh. Her former allies and beneficiaries have abandoned her, or her cruelty was so vast that no one desires to alleviate her suffering. The "I" here could be a personification of Nineveh's forlorn state, a neutral observer, or even God speaking rhetorically.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee": This highlights the immediate, visible, and universal reaction to Nineveh's judgment. Instead of drawing sympathy, her demise triggers fear or repulsion, causing people to turn away in rapid retreat, refusing any form of aid or identification with her.
• "and say, Nineveh is laid waste": This represents the public verdict. It is an acknowledgment of a widely visible and irreversible destruction. This statement functions as an epitaph, declaring the definitive end of Nineveh's power and existence as a prominent city.
• "who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?": These two rhetorical questions work in tandem to amplify Nineveh's absolute abandonment. They paint a picture of total emotional desertion. The city will experience a unique kind of loneliness in its downfall; not only will no one help her, but no one will even mourn her, signifying that her demise is considered justified and welcomed.

Nahum 3 7 Bonus section

The complete lack of comfort predicted for Nineveh stands in stark contrast to God's own nature as the "God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:3-4) for His people. This contrast reveals the severity of Nineveh's wickedness and God's just response to a nation that reveled in violence and oppression, leaving no room for His redemptive mercy to its oppressors. The verse subtly polemicizes against the false sense of security that great empires build, based on military might and pagan deities, revealing that such strength is nothing against the divine decree. Nineveh, once used by God as a rod of judgment against Israel (Isa 10:5), is now judged itself, emphasizing that God's justice ultimately encompasses all nations. The prophetic words here align with a consistent biblical theme: those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind, and those who show no mercy will receive none.

Nahum 3 7 Commentary

Nahum 3:7 serves as a climactic declaration of God's unyielding judgment against Nineveh. The city, once the apex of oppressive power and self-assured cruelty, is depicted as an object of disgust and desolation. Its downfall is so catastrophic and well-deserved that those who witness it will not mourn but flee, declaring its utter waste. The rhetorical questions underscore the profound absence of any pity, empathy, or source of comfort for the city. This isolation is a direct consequence of Nineveh's own brutality and harlotry; its victims, and even former allies, will find no cause to lament, highlighting God's righteous justice for those who showed no mercy. This divine decree illustrates that no earthly power, however formidable, is beyond God's reach or ultimately exempt from accountability for its actions.