King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:17 Mean?

Nahum 3:17 in the King James Version says “Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, bu...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Nahum 3:17 · KJV

Context

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

19

There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually? healing: Heb. wrinkling

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nahum uses locust imagery: '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' (minzarayik katarbeh vetiphsarayik kegov govay hachonim bagederoth beyom qarah shemesh zarachah venodad velo-noda meqomo ayyam). Assyrian officials and military leaders, numerous as locusts, will disappear when judgment arrives like morning sun dispersing insects. Locusts gather in huge swarms but scatter and vanish quickly when conditions change. Similarly, Nineveh's apparently mighty forces will dissolve and flee when conquest comes. The simile emphasizes both temporary nature of power and cowardly flight of those who seemed strong. Those who terrorized others will themselves flee in panic. This demonstrates that human glory is transient, easily dispersed when God acts. What appears formidable—vast armies, numerous officials, impressive organization—proves ephemeral when divine judgment strikes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Locusts were dreaded in the ancient Near East, capable of devastating crops in hours. Their swarms darkened the sky, yet they could vanish as quickly as they arrived. Nahum uses this familiar image to describe Assyrian leadership and military forces. When Nineveh fell in 612 BC, historical accounts describe exactly this phenomenon—defenders and officials fleeing in panic, leadership dissolving, what seemed like overwhelming force simply evaporating. The Assyrian Empire, which had dominated for over two centuries, collapsed so completely and rapidly that within a generation its very language was dying out. The locust imagery proved prophetically accurate—Nineveh's might scattered and vanished, its place no longer known. Archaeological rediscovery in the 1840s confirmed how thoroughly the city had been forgotten, buried under centuries of sand.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the locust imagery warn against trusting in numerical superiority, impressive organization, or apparent strength?
  2. What does this passage teach about the transient nature of human glory and power compared to God's eternal kingdom?
  3. How should Christians maintain eternal perspective when earthly powers seem overwhelming or permanent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מִנְּזָרַ֙יִךְ֙1 of 16

“Thy crowned”

H4502

a prince

כָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה2 of 16

“are as the locusts”

H697

a locust (from its rapid increase)

וְטַפְסְרַ֖יִךְ3 of 16

“and thy captains”

H2951

a military governor

גֹּבָ֑י4 of 16

“as the great grasshoppers”

H1462

the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae)

גֹּבָ֑י5 of 16

“as the great grasshoppers”

H1462

the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae)

הַֽחוֹנִ֤ים6 of 16

“which camp”

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

בַּגְּדֵרוֹת֙7 of 16

“in the hedges”

H1448

enclosure (especially for flocks)

בְּי֣וֹם8 of 16

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

קָרָ֔ה9 of 16

“in the cold”

H7135

coolness

שֶׁ֤מֶשׁ10 of 16

“but when the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

זָֽרְחָה֙11 of 16

“ariseth”

H2224

properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)

וְנוֹדַ֔ד12 of 16

“they flee away”

H5074

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

וְלֹֽא13 of 16
H3808

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

נוֹדַ֥ע14 of 16

“is not known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מְקוֹמ֖וֹ15 of 16

“and their place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אַיָּֽם׃16 of 16

“where”

H335

where? hence how?

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 3:17 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 3:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:27Revelation 9:7

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