King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:16 Mean?

Nahum 3:16 in the King James Version says “Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away. spoileth: or, sp...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Nahum 3:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them. nobles: or, valiant ones

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven (hirbeit rokheleykh mikkokhevei hashamayim, הִרְבֵּית רֹכְלַיִךְ מִכּוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם)—Nineveh increased (rabah, רָבָה) its traders (rokhel, רֹכֵל, merchants/traders) beyond counting, compared to stars (kokhav, כּוֹכָב) of heaven. This describes Nineveh's vast commercial empire—trade routes, merchants, economic networks extending throughout the known world. The city wasn't just military power but commercial hub.

The cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away (yelek pashat vaya'oph)—the locust (yelek, יֶלֶק, a type of locust) strips bare (pashat, פָּשַׁט) and flies away (uph, עוּף). The image shifts to locusts: merchants numerous as locusts will strip the land and flee like a locust swarm. Locusts arrive suddenly, devour everything, and vanish just as quickly. Similarly, Nineveh's commercial network will collapse instantly—merchants fleeing with whatever they can carry, leaving the city stripped bare. What seemed like permanent prosperity proves as transient as a locust swarm.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nineveh was the hub of extensive trade networks spanning from Egypt to Persia, from Anatolia to Arabia. The city's wealth came not just from military plunder but from controlling trade routes and extracting tariffs. Merchants from throughout the empire congregated there. Yet Nahum prophesies this commercial empire will vanish like locusts. In 612 BC, when Nineveh fell, its trade networks collapsed immediately. Merchants fled or were killed, goods were plundered, trade routes shifted to Babylon. Within years, Nineveh's commercial dominance was completely gone, the city abandoned. The locust imagery proved accurate—a vast network that seemed permanent vanished almost overnight.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comparison of merchants to locusts illustrate the temporary and ultimately destructive nature of wealth built on exploitation?
  2. What does this verse teach about the fragility of commercial empires and economic systems built on injustice?
  3. How should believers maintain proper perspective on material prosperity and commercial success in light of their transience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הִרְבֵּית֙1 of 7

“Thou hast multiplied”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

רֹֽכְלַ֔יִךְ2 of 7

“thy merchants”

H7402

to travel for trading

מִכּוֹכְבֵ֖י3 of 7

“above the stars”

H3556

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם4 of 7

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

יֶ֥לֶק5 of 7

“the cankerworm”

H3218

a devourer; specifically, the young locust

פָּשַׁ֖ט6 of 7

“spoileth”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

וַיָּעֹֽף׃7 of 7

“and flieth away”

H5774

to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

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 3:16 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 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 22:17Genesis 15:5Nehemiah 9:23Jeremiah 33:22

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