King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:14 Mean?

Nahum 3:14 in the King James Version says “Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.”

Nahum 3:14 · KJV

Context

12

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

13

Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.

14

Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

15

There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.

16

Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away. spoileth: or, spreadeth himself

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds (mei matzor shi'avi-lak chazzeqi mibtzerayik)—Nahum ironically commands Nineveh to prepare for siege: draw (sha'av, שָׁאַב) water for siege (matzor, מָצוֹר) and strengthen (chazaq, חָזַק) fortifications (mivtzar, מִבְצָר). Sieges required massive water storage since supply lines would be cut. Fortifications needed reinforcement against assault.

Go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln (bo'i vatit verimsi bachomer chazqi malben)—go into clay (tit, טִיט), trample mortar (chomer, חֹמֶר), strengthen the brick-mold (malben, מַלְבֵּן). This describes manufacturing bricks to repair walls—the complete cycle of defensive preparation. But the commands are deeply ironic: do everything possible to defend yourself—it won't help. When God decrees judgment, no human preparation avails. This echoes 2:1 where similar ironic commands appear. The repetition emphasizes futility: prepare all you want; you will still fall.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient siege warfare was war of attrition. Cities needed vast water reserves, strong walls, and ability to manufacture building materials for repairs. Nineveh had sophisticated defenses and supply systems. Yet Nahum prophesies all preparations will prove useless. In 612 BC, despite three years of preparation and three months of resistance, Nineveh fell. The Babylonian Chronicle records the siege and conquest. All the water storage, wall reinforcement, and defensive preparation couldn't prevent God's decreed judgment. The irony proved accurate—Nineveh did everything humanly possible to defend itself, yet fell completely. This demonstrates divine sovereignty: when God purposes to judge, no human effort prevents it.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the ironic command to prepare defenses that will fail teach about the limits of human effort when opposed to divine purposes?
  2. How should believers understand the relationship between human responsibility (proper preparation) and divine sovereignty (ultimate outcomes)?
  3. In what ways do people today similarly engage in futile 'preparation' and 'fortification' against consequences that God has decreed for unrepented sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
מֵ֤י1 of 12

“thee waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מָצוֹר֙2 of 12

“for the siege”

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

שַֽׁאֲבִי3 of 12

“Draw”

H7579

to bale up water

לָ֔ךְ4 of 12
H0
הַחֲזִ֥יקִי5 of 12

“fortify”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ6 of 12

“thy strong holds”

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

בֹּ֧אִי7 of 12

“go”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַטִּ֛יט8 of 12

“into clay”

H2916

mud or clay; figuratively, calamity

וְרִמְסִ֥י9 of 12

“and tread”

H7429

to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)

בַחֹ֖מֶר10 of 12

“the morter”

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

הַחֲזִ֥יקִי11 of 12

“fortify”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

מַלְבֵּֽן׃12 of 12

“the brickkiln”

H4404

a brickkiln

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 3:14 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 3:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 32:3-4Nahum 2:1Jeremiah 46:3-42 Chronicles 32:11Joel 3:9-11Isaiah 37:25

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