King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:9 Mean?

Nahum 1:9 in the King James Version says “What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.”

Nahum 1:9 · KJV

Context

7

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. strong hold: or, strength

8

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

9

What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

10

For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

11

There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor. a wicked: Heb. a counsellor of Belial

Read Nahum 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nahum challenges Nineveh directly: "What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time." The Hebrew mah-techashevun el-YHWH kalah hu oseh lo-taqum pa'amayim tzarah (מָה־תְּחַשְּׁבוּן אֶל־יְהוָה כָּלָה הוּא עֹשֶׂה לֹא־תָקוּם פַּעֲמַיִם צָרָה) is both taunt and warning.

"What do ye imagine against the LORD?" (mah-techashevun el-YHWH) uses chashav (חָשַׁב), meaning to think, plan, or devise. Nahum asks rhetorically: what are you plotting? Do you think you can resist or escape God's judgment? The question expects the answer: nothing you devise will work. This echoes Psalm 2:1-4: "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?... He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision."

"He will make an utter end" (kalah hu oseh) uses kalah (כָּלָה), meaning complete destruction, total consumption, or full end. God won't merely damage Nineveh; He'll obliterate it. History confirms this—Nineveh was destroyed so thoroughly in 612 BC that its location was lost for over 2,000 years until archaeological rediscovery in the 1840s.

"Affliction shall not rise up the second time" (lo-taqum pa'amayim tzarah) could mean: (1) Nineveh won't afflict Judah again after its destruction, or (2) God won't need to judge Nineveh twice—one judgment will suffice to destroy it completely. Both meanings apply. Unlike Jonah's era when Nineveh repented and judgment was averted, this time judgment is final. God's patience has ended; destruction is certain and irreversible.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663 BC (after Assyria's conquest of Thebes, mentioned in 3:8) and 612 BC (before Nineveh's fall). For over a century, Assyria had terrorized the ancient Near East with brutal military campaigns. They destroyed Israel's northern kingdom (722 BC) and nearly conquered Judah during Hezekiah's reign (701 BC). Assyrian inscriptions boast of horrific atrocities—impaling victims, burning cities, deporting entire populations. Nahum announces God's judgment against Nineveh for their violence and cruelty. Unlike Jonah's earlier message that brought Nineveh to temporary repentance (c. 760 BC), Nahum declares judgment is now irreversible. The prophecy was precisely fulfilled in 612 BC when Babylon and Media destroyed Nineveh so completely that its location was lost for over 2,000 years.

Nahum demonstrates God's sovereign justice over nations—He judged Israel for covenant unfaithfulness through Assyria, then judged Assyria for exceeding their mandate with excessive cruelty. The book assures God's people that He sees oppression and will vindicate them. While fierce in judgment against the wicked, God remains 'a stronghold in the day of trouble' for those who trust Him (1:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nahum 1:9 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
מַה1 of 11
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תְּחַשְּׁבוּן֙2 of 11

“What do ye imagine”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

אֶל3 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 11

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

כָּלָ֖ה5 of 11

“an utter end”

H3617

a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction

ה֣וּא6 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֹשֶׂ֑ה7 of 11

“he will make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לֹֽא8 of 11
H3808

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

תָק֥וּם9 of 11

“shall not rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

פַּעֲמַ֖יִם10 of 11

“the second time”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

צָרָֽה׃11 of 11

“affliction”

H6869

transitively, a female rival

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 1:9 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 1:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 21:11Proverbs 21:30Psalms 33:102 Corinthians 10:5Psalms 2:1-4Nahum 1:11

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