King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:6 Mean?

Nahum 3:6 in the King James Version says “And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Nahum 3:6 · KJV

Context

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?

8

Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea? populous: or, nourishing, etc: Heb. No Amon

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will cast abominable filth upon thee (vehishlakalti aleyka shiqqutim, וְהִשְׁלַכְתִּי עָלַיִךְ שִׁקֻּצִים)—God threatens to hurl (shalak, שָׁלַךְ) disgusting things (shiqqutim, שִׁקֻּצִים) upon Nineveh. The term shiqqutim often refers to idols or abominations but here likely means literal filth, excrement, or refuse. This was ancient punishment for prostitutes—pelting them with dung and garbage to humiliate publicly.

And make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock (venibbaltikha vesamtik kero'i)—God will treat Nineveh as vile/contemptible (nabal, נָבַל) and make it a spectacle (ro'i, רֹאִי), something people stare at in shock and disgust. The city that commanded fear and respect will become an object of contempt and morbid curiosity. This complete reversal—from terror-inspiring empire to despised spectacle—demonstrates the totality of divine judgment. Nineveh's humiliation would be as complete as its former pride was great.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient honor-shame cultures considered public humiliation worse than death. The imagery of casting filth resonated powerfully—it was actual punishment for sexual immorality and a metaphor for utter disgrace. Nineveh, which had humiliated conquered peoples by parading captives, desecrating temples, and destroying national symbols, would itself be utterly humiliated. When the city fell in 612 BC, it became exactly what Nahum prophesied—a spectacle of destruction that shocked the ancient world. Nations came to gawk at the ruins of the once-mighty empire. For over 2,000 years, Nineveh's buried ruins were a 'gazingstock' testifying to divine judgment, until archaeological excavations in the 1800s revealed the city's former glory and catastrophic end.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of casting filth illustrate the depth of dishonor that unrepented sin brings?
  2. What does Nineveh becoming a 'gazingstock' teach about God's purposes in judgment—not just punishing but demonstrating His justice to all?
  3. How should the certainty of public exposure of hidden sins affect our pursuit of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וְהִשְׁלַכְתִּ֥י1 of 6

“And I will cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

עָלַ֛יִךְ2 of 6
H5921

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

שִׁקֻּצִ֖ים3 of 6

“abominable filth”

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

וְנִבַּלְתִּ֑יךְ4 of 6

“upon thee and make thee vile”

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךְ5 of 6

“and will set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כְּרֹֽאִי׃6 of 6

“thee as a gazingstock”

H7210

sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle)

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 3:6 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 3:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 2:9Job 9:31Psalms 38:5-7Jeremiah 51:37Nahum 1:141 Corinthians 4:9

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