King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:5 Mean?

Nahum 3:5 in the King James Version says “Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the na...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.”

Nahum 3:5 · KJV

Context

3

The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses: the bright: Heb. the flame of the sword, and the lightning of the spear

4

Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

5

Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

6

And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.

7

And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God threatens Nineveh with humiliation: "Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame." The Hebrew hineni eleyka ne'um YHWH tzeva'ot vegilleiti shulayikh al-panayikh veher'eti goyim ma'arekh umamlarekh qalonekh (הִנְנִי אֵלַיִךְ נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת וְגִלֵּיתִי שׁוּלַיִךְ עַל־פָּנָיִךְ וְהַרְאֵיתִי גוֹיִם מַעֲרֵךְ וּמַמְלָכוֹת קְלוֹנֵךְ) uses sexual imagery to describe utter disgrace.

"I will discover thy skirts upon thy face" (vegilleiti shulayikh al-panayikh) describes stripping a prostitute and exposing her nakedness publicly—ancient punishment for harlotry. The verb galah (גָּלָה) means to uncover, reveal, or expose. Lifting skirts over the face both exposes nakedness and blinds the victim, maximizing shame. This isn't literal sexual assault but metaphorical language for complete humiliation—what seemed glorious (Nineveh's power) will be revealed as shameful.

"I will shew the nations thy nakedness" (veher'eti goyim ma'arekh) promises public exposure. Ma'ar (מַעַר) means nakedness or private parts—what should remain hidden. The prostitution metaphor (begun in verse 4) continues: Nineveh used seduction, deception, and betrayal to dominate nations, like a prostitute using attraction to exploit victims. Now God will expose her corruption to all. "The kingdoms thy shame" (umamlarekh qalonekh) uses qalon (קָלוֹן), meaning disgrace, ignominy, or dishonor.

This imagery, while jarring to modern readers, communicates the depth of Nineveh's coming humiliation. The city that terrorized nations, that seemed invincible, that inspired fear worldwide—will be utterly disgraced. When Babylon destroyed Nineveh in 612 BC, the prophecy was fulfilled. No nation mourned; instead, conquered peoples rejoiced (verse 19). This demonstrates divine justice: those who humiliate others will themselves be humiliated; those who destroy will be destroyed.

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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 3:5 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 · 14 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 14
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֵלַ֗יִךְ2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם֙3 of 14

“Behold I am against thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת5 of 14

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וְגִלֵּיתִ֥י6 of 14

“and I will discover”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

שׁוּלַ֖יִךְ7 of 14

“thy skirts”

H7757

a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge

עַל8 of 14
H5921

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

פָּנָ֑יִךְ9 of 14

“upon thy face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְהַרְאֵיתִ֤י10 of 14

“and I will shew”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

גוֹיִם֙11 of 14

“the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מַעְרֵ֔ךְ12 of 14

“thy nakedness”

H4626

a nude place, i.e., (literally) the pudenda, or (figuratively) a vacant space

וּמַמְלָכ֖וֹת13 of 14

“and the kingdoms”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

קְלוֹנֵֽךְ׃14 of 14

“thy shame”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 13:26Ezekiel 23:29Jeremiah 13:22Ezekiel 16:37Isaiah 47:2-3Nahum 2:13

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