King James Version

What Does Nahum 3:7 Mean?

Nahum 3:7 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who w...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Nahum 3:7 · KJV

Context

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

9

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite ; Put and Lubim were thy helpers. thy helpers: Heb. in thy help

Read Nahum 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This prophetic judgment against Nineveh opens with the prophetic formula "it shall come to pass" (wehayah), emphasizing the certainty of God's word. The reaction described is universal: "all they that look upon thee shall flee" (kol-ro'ayik yiddod)—those who see Nineveh's destruction will recoil in horror and distance themselves from her fate.

The pronouncement "Nineveh is laid waste" (shadedah Ninveh) uses a passive form indicating divine action. The question "who will bemoan her?" (mi yanuwd lah) expects a negative answer—no one will mourn. The Hebrew nuwd suggests the ritual movements of mourning, but none will perform them for Nineveh.

The final question, "whence shall I seek comforters for thee?" (me'ayin avakesh menachamim lak), is rhetorical and ironic. God Himself asks where comfort might be found for Nineveh, knowing the answer is 'nowhere.' This reflects the principle that those who show no mercy receive none—Nineveh had been merciless in its conquests, and now finds itself without comforters.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663-612 BC, after Assyria's conquest of Thebes (No-Amon) but before Nineveh's fall in 612 BC. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for unprecedented cruelty in warfare. The Assyrians pioneered psychological warfare through terror, impaling victims, flaying prisoners alive, and creating pyramids of human skulls. They had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and made Judah a vassal state.

The prophecy's fulfillment in 612 BC was dramatic—a coalition of Babylonians and Medes destroyed Nineveh so thoroughly that its location was lost for centuries. Ancient sources describe how the Tigris River flooded, weakening the city walls, exactly as Nahum prophesied (Nahum 2:6). The city's destruction was so complete that when Xenophon passed by 200 years later, he didn't recognize the ruins. No nation mourned Nineveh's fall; instead, her victims rejoiced at her downfall (Nahum 3:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God describe the universal flight and lack of mourners for Nineveh?
  2. What does Nineveh's isolation in judgment teach about the consequences of cruelty?
  3. How does this prophecy demonstrate that God judges nations, not just individuals?
  4. What is the significance of God Himself asking where comforters might be found?
  5. How should this prophecy shape our understanding of divine justice and mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֤ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָל2 of 15
H3605

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

רֹאַ֙יִךְ֙3 of 15

“And it shall come to pass that all they that look”

H7200

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

יִדּ֣וֹד4 of 15

“upon thee shall flee”

H5074

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

מִמֵּ֔ךְ5 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְאָמַר֙6 of 15

“from thee and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁדְּדָ֣ה7 of 15

“is laid waste”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

נִֽינְוֵ֔ה8 of 15

“Nineveh”

H5210

nineveh, the capital of assyria

מִ֖י9 of 15
H4310

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

יָנ֣וּד10 of 15

“who will bemoan”

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

לָ֑הּ11 of 15
H0
מֵאַ֛יִן12 of 15

“her whence”

H370

where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)

אֲבַקֵּ֥שׁ13 of 15

“shall I seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

מְנַחֲמִ֖ים14 of 15

“comforters”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

לָֽךְ׃15 of 15
H0

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 3:7 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 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 51:19Jeremiah 15:5Revelation 18:10Jeremiah 51:9Numbers 16:34Lamentations 2:13

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Nahum 3 →

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