King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:14 Mean?

Nahum 1:14 in the King James Version says “And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods wi...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.”

Nahum 1:14 · KJV

Context

12

Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. Though: or, If they would have been at peace, so should they have been many, and so should they have been shorn, and he should have passed away cut down: Heb. shorn

13

For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

14

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

15

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. keep: Heb. feast the wicked: Heb. Belial

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee (vetsivah aleyka YHWH, וְצִוָּה עָלֶיךָ יְהוָה). The verb tsavah (צָוָה, "command/decree") indicates sovereign, irrevocable decision. God pronounces judicial sentence against Nineveh. This isn't negotiable—it's divine decree that will certainly be fulfilled. The direct address "concerning thee" personalizes judgment—this targets Nineveh specifically.

That no more of thy name be sown (lo-yizzare mishimkha od, לֹא־יִזָּרַע מִשִּׁמְךָ עוֹד). Zara (זָרַע, "sow/plant") typically refers to planting seed, here used metaphorically for propagating one's name through descendants. God decrees Nineveh's name will be cut off—no dynasty, no descendants, no legacy. This was literally fulfilled: the Assyrian royal line ended when the last king perished in Nineveh's flames (612 BC). Unlike other conquered peoples who maintained ethnic identity, Assyrians were absorbed into other populations. Their distinctive language (Akkadian) died out. Even the city's location was forgotten for millennia.

Out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image (mibbeit eloheyka akhrit pesel umassekah, מִבֵּית אֱלֹהֶיךָ אַכְרִית פֶּסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה). Pesel (פֶּסֶל, "graven image") refers to carved idols; massekah (מַסֵּכָה, "molten image") to cast metal idols. God promises to destroy Nineveh's temples and idols. Archaeological evidence confirms this: Assyrian temples were burned and destroyed in 612 BC. The false gods couldn't protect their worshippers. I will make thy grave; for thou art vile (asim qivrekha ki qallota, אָשִׂים קִבְרֶךָ כִּי קַלּוֹתָ). Qever (קֶבֶר, "grave") indicates death and burial. Qalal (קָלַל, "be light/vile/insignificant") pronounces moral worthlessness. Despite Nineveh's former greatness, God declares them vile and worthy only of the grave.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nineveh's temples were famous—dedicated to Ishtar, Nabu, and other Mesopotamian deities. Assyrian kings boasted of building magnificent shrines. Yet in 612 BC, all were destroyed. The Babylonian Chronicle and archaeological excavations confirm wholesale destruction of religious sites. The royal dynasty ended—no Assyrian king ever ruled again. The empire that terrorized nations for over two centuries vanished almost overnight. Within a few generations, even the location of Nineveh was forgotten. God's decree was fulfilled with startling precision and totality.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the complete erasure of Nineveh's name teach about the futility of building legacy on violence and wickedness?
  2. How does God's destruction of Nineveh's idols demonstrate the impotence of false gods and the supremacy of YHWH?
  3. In what ways do people today attempt to 'sow their name' through achievements, wealth, or power—and how does this contrast with eternal legacy in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְצִוָּ֤ה1 of 16

“hath given a commandment”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙2 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֹֽא4 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִזָּרַ֥ע5 of 16

“be sown”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

מִשִּׁמְךָ֖6 of 16

“concerning thee that no more of thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

ע֑וֹד7 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מִבֵּ֨ית8 of 16

“out of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ9 of 16

“of thy gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אַכְרִ֨ית10 of 16

“will I cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

פֶּ֧סֶל11 of 16

“the graven image”

H6459

an idol

וּמַסֵּכָ֛ה12 of 16

“and the molten image”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

אָשִׂ֥ים13 of 16

“I will make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

קִבְרֶ֖ךָ14 of 16

“thy grave”

H6913

a sepulcher

כִּ֥י15 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קַלּֽוֹתָ׃16 of 16

“for thou art vile”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nahum. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nahum 1:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nahum 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 109:13Micah 5:13Isaiah 46:1-2Proverbs 10:7Psalms 71:32 Kings 19:37

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Nahum 1 →

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