King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:19 Mean?

Nahum 3:19 in the King James Version says “There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Nahum 3:19 · KJV

Context

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 concludes with Nineveh's irreversible doom: "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?" The Hebrew eyn kehah leshivrekha nachlah makkateykha kol shom'ei shim'akha taq'u khaph aleyka ki al-mi lo-averah ra'ateykha tamid (אֵין־כֵּהָה לְשִׁבְרֶךָ נַחְלָה מַכָּתֶךָ כֹּל שֹׁמְעֵי שִׁמְעֲךָ תָּקְעוּ כַף עָלֶיךָ כִּי עַל־מִי לֹא־עָבְרָה רָעָתְךָ תָמִיד) pronounces final verdict.

"There is no healing of thy bruise" (eyn kehah leshivrekh) uses shever (שֶׁבֶר), meaning breaking, fracture, or crushing. The adjective kehah (כֵּהָה) means dulling or lessening—there's no diminishing of the wound. "Thy wound is grievous" (nachlah makkateykh) uses nachlah (נַחְלָה), meaning incurable or desperate. This medical imagery declares Nineveh's destruction terminal—no recovery possible, no healing available.

"All that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands" (kol shom'ei shim'akha taq'u khaph) describes universal rejoicing at Nineveh's fall. The "bruit" (report or news) of Nineveh's destruction will cause hand-clapping—ancient gesture of joy, triumph, or contempt. This isn't vindictive schadenfreude but righteous rejoicing that oppression has ended. Psalm 47:1 commands: "Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Here, oppressed nations clap because their oppressor is defeated.

The rhetorical question "upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?" (al-mi lo-averah ra'ateykha tamid) expects the answer: everyone. Every nation suffered Assyrian cruelty. The adverb tamid (תָּמִיד) means continually, always, perpetually—Assyria's evil was unrelenting. Therefore, no one mourns her fall; all celebrate. This demonstrates a sobering principle: those who show no mercy receive none. As Jesus taught: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). Conversely, the merciless face judgment without pity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663 BC (after Assyria's conquest of Thebes, mentioned in 3:8) and 612 BC (before Nineveh's fall). For over a century, Assyria had terrorized the ancient Near East with brutal military campaigns. They destroyed Israel's northern kingdom (722 BC) and nearly conquered Judah during Hezekiah's reign (701 BC). Assyrian inscriptions boast of horrific atrocities—impaling victims, burning cities, deporting entire populations. Nahum announces God's judgment against Nineveh for their violence and cruelty. Unlike Jonah's earlier message that brought Nineveh to temporary repentance (c. 760 BC), Nahum declares judgment is now irreversible. The prophecy was precisely fulfilled in 612 BC when Babylon and Media destroyed Nineveh so completely that its location was lost for over 2,000 years.

Nahum demonstrates God's sovereign justice over nations—He judged Israel for covenant unfaithfulness through Assyria, then judged Assyria for exceeding their mandate with excessive cruelty. The book assures God's people that He sees oppression and will vindicate them. While fierce in judgment against the wicked, God remains 'a stronghold in the day of trouble' for those who trust Him (1:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nahum 3:19 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֵין1 of 18
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כֵּהָ֣ה2 of 18

“There is no healing”

H3545

properly, a weakening; figuratively, alleviation, i.e., cure

לְשִׁבְרֶ֔ךָ3 of 18

“of thy bruise”

H7667

a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)

נַחְלָ֖ה4 of 18

“is grievous”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

מַכָּתֶ֑ךָ5 of 18

“thy wound”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

כֹּ֣ל׀6 of 18
H3605

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

שֹׁמְעֵ֣י7 of 18

“all that hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שִׁמְעֲךָ֗8 of 18

“the bruit”

H8088

something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience

תָּ֤קְעוּ9 of 18

“of thee shall clap”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

כַף֙10 of 18

“the hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

עָלֶ֔יךָ11 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּ֗י12 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַל13 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִ֛י14 of 18
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לֹֽא15 of 18
H3808

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

עָבְרָ֥ה16 of 18

“passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

רָעָתְךָ֖17 of 18

“over thee for upon whom hath not thy wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

תָּמִֽיד׃18 of 18

“continually”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

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 3:19 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 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 1:9Lamentations 2:15Isaiah 37:18Job 27:23Jeremiah 46:11Revelation 17:2

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