Woe to the city of bloodThis phrase refers to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its brutal conquests and violent practices. The term "woe" is a prophetic declaration of impending judgment and doom. Nineveh's reputation as a "city of blood" highlights its history of bloodshed and cruelty, as seen in its military campaigns and treatment of conquered peoples. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine justice against nations that engage in violence and oppression, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
full of lies
Nineveh's deceitful practices are emphasized here, pointing to the Assyrian Empire's use of treachery and falsehoods in its political and military strategies. The Assyrians were known for breaking treaties and using propaganda to instill fear in their enemies. This phrase underscores the moral corruption and untrustworthiness that characterized the city, drawing a parallel to other biblical condemnations of deceit, such as inProverbs 6:16-19, which lists lying as one of the things the Lord detests.
full of plunder
The wealth of Nineveh was largely accumulated through the spoils of war and the exploitation of conquered territories. This phrase highlights the city's greed and materialism, which were achieved at the expense of others. The accumulation of plunder is a common theme in the prophetic literature, where God condemns nations that enrich themselves through unjust means. This can be compared to the warnings against covetousness and the love of money found in the New Testament, such as in1 Timothy 6:10.
never without prey
This phrase indicates the continuous cycle of violence and exploitation perpetuated by Nineveh. The city is depicted as a predator, always seeking new victims to devour. This relentless pursuit of conquest and domination reflects the insatiable nature of sin and the destructive consequences of unchecked power. The imagery of a predator can be connected to other biblical descriptions of oppressive nations, such as Babylon in the book of Revelation, which is also portrayed as a devouring beast. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability all nations and individuals have before God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NinevehThe capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its great power and wealth, but also for its violence and idolatry. It is the primary focus of Nahum's prophecy.
2.
NahumA prophet whose name means "comfort" or "consolation." He delivers a message of judgment against Nineveh, offering comfort to Judah by prophesying the downfall of their oppressor.
3.
Assyrian EmpireA dominant ancient empire known for its military prowess and brutal conquests. It was a significant threat to Israel and Judah during Nahum's time.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of SinNineveh's fate serves as a stark reminder that persistent sin and injustice lead to destruction. God is patient, but His justice will prevail.
God's SovereigntyDespite Nineveh's power, God is in control. He raises and brings down nations according to His purposes.
The Importance of TruthNineveh is described as "full of lies." As believers, we are called to live in truth, reflecting God's character in a world often marked by deceit.
Hope for the OppressedNahum's prophecy offers hope to those oppressed by unjust systems, assuring them that God sees their plight and will act in His time.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Nahum 3:1?
2.How does Nahum 3:1 describe the consequences of a "city of blood"?
3.What lessons can we learn from Nineveh's fate in Nahum 3:1?
4.How does Nahum 3:1 relate to God's justice throughout Scripture?
5.In what ways can we avoid the sins mentioned in Nahum 3:1?
6.How can Nahum 3:1 inspire us to pursue righteousness in our communities?
7.What historical events does Nahum 3:1 reference regarding Nineveh's downfall?
8.How does Nahum 3:1 reflect God's justice and wrath?
9.What is the significance of "city of blood" in Nahum 3:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nahum 3?
11.In Nahum 3:1, how do we reconcile the description of Nineveh as a “bloody city” with the lack of substantial archaeological evidence for such extreme violence?
12.Ezekiel 32 overall – How do we reconcile the violent imagery of divine judgment here with other biblical passages that emphasize mercy and compassion?
13.What is the main theme of the Book of Nahum?
14.What is a debased mind?What Does Nahum 3:1 Mean
Woe to the city of blood“Woe to the city of blood” (Nahum 3:1) is God’s solemn denunciation of Nineveh, capital of Assyria.
• “Woe” signals certain judgment, just as inIsaiah 5:8–23 andHabakkuk 2:12 where the same cry falls on violent nations.
• Nineveh is called “city of blood” because it was built and maintained through relentless killing. Assyrian records boast of flaying captives and stacking skulls; Scripture echoes this cruelty in2 Kings 19:35–37 andIsaiah 10:7–14.
• God’s justice is perfectly fair;Genesis 9:6 promises accountability for bloodshed, andEzekiel 24:9–14 shows the Lord avenging innocent blood.
full of liesAssyria’s power rested on deception as much as on swords.
• In2 Kings 18:28–35 the Assyrian field commander taunts Jerusalem with half-truths and blasphemous claims, illustrating the “lies” Nahum condemns.
•Psalm 52:3–5 parallels this theme: “You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth.”
• God values truth because He is truth (Numbers 23:19;John 14:6). Persistent lying invites divine opposition, as seen inRevelation 21:8 where “all liars” face judgment.
full of plunderAggression made Nineveh rich.
• Assyrian kings bragged that “my hand reached into the wealth of the peoples” (Isaiah 10:13–14).
•Habakkuk 2:6–8 assures that those who heap up what is not theirs will in turn be plundered.
• The law warned against coveting and stealing (Exodus 20:15,17). Ignoring God’s commands, Nineveh stockpiled treasure picked off defenseless nations—treasure that would soon become spoil for others (Nahum 2:9–10).
never without preyViolence and greed were not occasional lapses but Nineveh’s lifestyle.
•Zephaniah 3:3 pictures wicked rulers as “wolves at evening, who leave nothing for the morning,” mirroring Assyria’s appetite.
•Micah 2:1–2 speaks of those who plot evil “because it is in their power,” a fitting description of Assyria’s ever-ready predation.
• The Lord will not overlook perpetual oppression;Proverbs 1:17–19 warns that those who are “greedy for unjust gain” set an ambush for their own lives. Nineveh’s endless hunt for prey ensured that judgment would be just as relentless (Nahum 3:19).
summaryNahum 3:1 paints a four-fold indictment of Nineveh: bloodshed, deceit, plunder, and unceasing predation. The verse declares that God sees every violent act, every lie, every stolen treasure, and every fresh victim. His wrath is not impulsive but righteous, answering centuries of cruelty with certain, final justice. For every generation, the warning stands: any person, city, or nation that exalts violence, dishonesty, and exploitation places itself under the same woe, while those who honor truth and justice rest secure in the Lord’s protection.
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Woe to the bloody city!--Better,
O bloody city! She is altogether deceit, filled with crime: she ceases not from plunder.Verses 1-19. - Part III. THE CAUSE OF THE JUDGMENT - SINS OF THE CITY, WHICH BRING INEVITABLE PUNISHMENT.
Verses 1-7. - § 1.
The prophet specifies the crimes which have brought this ruin upon Nineveh.Verse 1. -
The bloody city; literally,
city of bloods, where Mood is shed without scruple (comp.
Ezekiel 24:6, 9;
Habakkuk 2:12). The cruelty of the Assyrians is attested by the monuments, in which we see or read how prisoners were impaled alive, flayed, beheaded, dragged to death with ropes passed through rings in their lips, blinded by the king's own hand, hung up by hands or feet to die in slow torture (see Bonomi, pp. 168, etc., 190, etc., 225). Others have their brains beaten out, or their tongues torn out by the roots, while the bleeding heads of the slain are tied round the necks of the living, who are reserved for further torture (Layard, 'Nineveh and Babylon,' p. 456; Rawlinson, 'Ancient Monarchies,' 2:503, etc., edit. 1864). The royal inscriptions recount with exultation the number of the enemies slain and of captives carried away, cities levelled with the ground, plundered, and burnt, lands devastated, fruit trees destroyed, etc. It is all full of lies;
ὅλη ψευδής, "all lie" (Septuagint). The Assyrians used treachery in furthering their conquests, made promises which they never kept, to induce nations to submit to their yoke. Such, doubtless, were those of Rabshakeh (
Isaiah 36:16). Rawlinson, "Falsehood and treachery... are often employed by the strong, as furnishing short cuts to success, and even, where the moral standard is low, as being in themselves creditable (see Thucyd., 3:83). It certainly was not necessity which made the Assyrians covenant breakers; it seems to have been in part the wantonness of power - because they 'despised the cities, and regarded no man' (
Isaiah 33:8); perhaps it was in part also their imperfect moral perception, which may have failed to draw the proper distinction between craft and cleverness" ('Ancient Monarchies,' 1:305).
Robbery; rather,
rapine, or
rending in pieces. The figure applies to the way in which a wild beast kills its prey by tearing it to pieces. So the three crimes of Nineveh here enumerated are bloodshed, deceit, and violence. In the uncertainty concerning the word (pereq). rendered "robbery," which only occurs m
Obadiah 1:14, where it means "crossway," the LXX. translates,
ἀδικίας πλήρης, "full of unrighteousness." The Vulgate is correct,
dilaceratione plena.
The prey departeth not. They go on in the same way, gathering spoil into the city, never ceasing from this crime. The monuments continually record the booty that was brought to Nineveh (see, for instance, the 'Annals of Assurbanipal,' passim; 'Records of the Past,' vol. 9; Schrader, 'Keilinschr.,' 195, etc., 216, 233, etc.; comp.
Isaiah 33:1).
Septuagint,
Οὐ ψηλαφηθήσεταιθήρα, which gives a sense contradictory to the text, "Prey shall not be handled."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Woeה֖וֹי(hō·w)Interjection
Strong's 1945:Ah! alas! ha!to the cityעִ֣יר(‘îr)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892:Excitementof blood,דָּמִ֑ים(dā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedfullכֻּלָּ֗הּ(kul·lāh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyof lies,כַּ֤חַשׁ(ka·ḥaš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3585:A failure of flesh, emaciation, hypocrisyfull ofמְלֵאָ֔ה(mə·lê·’āh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4395:Something fulfilled, abundanceplunder,פֶּ֙רֶק֙(pe·req)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6563:Parting of ways, plunderneverלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nowithoutיָמִ֖ישׁ(yā·mîš)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4185:To depart, removeprey.טָֽרֶף׃(ṭā·rep̄)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2964:Something torn, a fragment, a fresh leaf, prey, food
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OT Prophets: Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city! (Nah. Na) 
