King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:15 Mean?

Nahum 3:15 in the King James Version says “There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself m...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Nahum 3:15 · KJV

Context

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

17

Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Dual Imagery of Destruction: This verse employs two destructive forces—fire and sword—representing complete and inescapable judgment from multiple directions. The Hebrew "devour" (akal) literally means "to eat" or "consume," suggesting total annihilation, while "cut off" (karath) implies severing or destroying, often used in covenant-breaking contexts to indicate permanent removal.

Locust Imagery: The "cankerworm" (yelek) refers to a developmental stage of the locust, specifically the hopping locust or young locust before wings fully develop. The command to "make thyself many" is deeply ironic—Nineveh could multiply its population and military forces as extensively as a locust swarm, yet they would still be devoured and destroyed like crops before locusts. Locusts were symbols of both devastating plague (consuming everything in their path) and overwhelming numbers that darken the sky. The prophet uses this imagery to communicate that numerical superiority or population density offers no protection against divine judgment. The repetition of the locust imagery emphasizes the certainty and totality of the coming destruction, regardless of Nineveh's apparent military strength, massive population, or fortified defenses.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663-612 BC, after Assyria's conquest of Thebes (No-Amon) in 663 BC but before Nineveh's fall in 612 BC. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, one of the ancient world's most brutal military powers. The Assyrians were notorious for extreme cruelty, including impalement, flaying, and mass deportations. For over 200 years, they terrorized the Near East, destroying the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. Nineveh was considered impregnable, protected by massive walls and the Tigris River. The city's population may have exceeded 120,000. In 612 BC, a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians besieged and destroyed Nineveh so thoroughly that its location was lost for centuries, discovered only in the 1840s through archaeological excavations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the significance of God using both fire and sword as instruments of judgment against Nineveh?
  2. How does the locust imagery illustrate the principle that numerical strength cannot prevent divine judgment?
  3. Why does God ironically command Nineveh to multiply when destruction is certain?
  4. What does Nineveh's complete destruction teach about the temporary nature of earthly empires built on violence?
  5. How should believers balance the justice of God displayed in Nahum with His mercy shown in Jonah's earlier ministry to Nineveh?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שָׁ֚ם1 of 11
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

תֹּאכְלֵ֖ךְ2 of 11

“devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֵ֔שׁ3 of 11

“There shall the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

תַּכְרִיתֵ֣ךְ4 of 11

“shall cut thee 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

חֶ֔רֶב5 of 11

“thee the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

תֹּאכְלֵ֖ךְ6 of 11

“devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כַּיֶּ֔לֶק7 of 11

“as the cankerworm”

H3218

a devourer; specifically, the young locust

הִֽתְכַּבְּדִ֖י8 of 11

“make thyself many”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

כַּיֶּ֔לֶק9 of 11

“as the cankerworm”

H3218

a devourer; specifically, the young locust

הִֽתְכַּבְּדִ֖י10 of 11

“make thyself many”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

כָּאַרְבֶּֽה׃11 of 11

“as the locusts”

H697

a locust (from its rapid increase)

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 3:15 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 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 1:4Nahum 2:13Nahum 3:13Joel 2:25Zephaniah 2:13Exodus 10:13-15

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