King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:1 Mean?

Nahum 3:1 in the King James Version says “Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; bloody: Heb. city of bloods” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; bloody: Heb. city of bloods”

Nahum 3:1 · KJV

Context

1

Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; bloody: Heb. city of bloods

2

The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.

3

The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses: the bright: Heb. the flame of the sword, and the lightning of the spear

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Chapter 3 opens with a cry: 'Woe to the bloody city!' (hoy ir damim). The Hebrew hoy is both lament and denunciation—a funeral dirge for the living. 'Bloody city' (ir damim) emphasizes Nineveh's violence and cruelty. 'It is all full of lies and robbery' (kullah kachash pereq mele'ah). Lies (kachash) refers to deception, false promises, and treaty violations. Robbery (pereq) suggests violent plunder and prey. 'The prey departeth not' (lo-yamish taraph) indicates constant predation—Nineveh's entire economy and empire built on conquest and exploitation. This comprehensive indictment—violence, deception, and robbery—exposes the moral bankruptcy underlying Nineveh's power and wealth. The city appeared glorious, but God sees its foundation of blood, lies, and theft. This demonstrates that God judges not merely outward actions but the fundamental character and disposition. Nineveh's entire civilization was predicated on evil, making judgment inevitable and thorough.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian inscriptions confirm Nahum's accusations. Kings boasted of atrocities—impaling captives, creating pyramids of skulls, deporting entire populations, burning cities. The empire's wealth came primarily from tribute and plunder extracted from conquered peoples. Nineveh itself was built with forced labor and filled with treasures stolen from defeated nations. What Assyria called glory, God called robbery and murder. The historical record vindicates Nahum's assessment: Nineveh was indeed a 'bloody city' built on violence and deception. When it fell in 612 BC, no nation mourned—instead, conquered peoples rejoiced at their oppressor's downfall (3:19). This demonstrates that empires built on injustice and cruelty, no matter how powerful, ultimately face judgment and collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern nations or institutions similarly build prosperity on violence, exploitation, and deception while presenting themselves as civilized?
  2. What does this passage teach about God's moral assessment differing radically from human glory and success?
  3. How should Christians respond to systemic injustice embedded in economic and political systems?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
ה֖וֹי1 of 10

“Woe”

H1945

oh!

עִ֣יר2 of 10

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּמִ֑ים3 of 10

“to the bloody”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

כֻּלָּ֗הּ4 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כַּ֤חַשׁ5 of 10

“of lies”

H3585

literally a failure of flesh, i.e., emaciation; figuratively, hypocrisy

פֶּ֙רֶק֙6 of 10

“and robbery”

H6563

rapine; also a fork (in roads)

מְלֵאָ֔ה7 of 10

“it is all full”

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

לֹ֥א8 of 10
H3808

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

יָמִ֖ישׁ9 of 10

“departeth”

H4185

to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)

טָֽרֶף׃10 of 10

“the prey”

H2964

something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food

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 3:1 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 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:12Zephaniah 3:1-3Ezekiel 22:2-3Hosea 4:2Ezekiel 24:6-9Nahum 2:12

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Nahum 3 →

Test Your Knowledge

Nahum 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNahum Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Nahum 3 with CommentaryAll Nahum ChaptersComplete Nahum QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes