There the fire will devour you;This phrase signifies the impending judgment and destruction that Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, will face. Fire is often used in the Bible as a symbol of divine judgment and purification (e.g.,
Malachi 3:2-3). Historically, Nineveh was known for its grandeur and strength, yet the prophecy foretells its downfall through fire, which aligns with the eventual destruction of the city by the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice over nations.
the sword will cut you down
The sword represents warfare and the physical means by which Nineveh will be conquered. The Assyrians were known for their military prowess and brutality, yet here they are warned that they will fall by the same means they used to subdue others. This echoes the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). The imagery of the sword cutting down also connects to the broader biblical theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will.
and consume you like a young locust.
Locusts in the Bible often symbolize destruction and overwhelming numbers (Exodus 10:12-15,Joel 1:4). The comparison to a young locust suggests vulnerability and the inevitability of being consumed. This imagery highlights the totality of Nineveh's destruction, as locusts leave nothing behind. It also serves as a metaphor for the futility of human strength against divine judgment.
Make yourself many like the young locust;
This phrase is a taunt, suggesting that no matter how numerous or strong Nineveh makes itself, it will not escape its fate. The irony is that multiplying like locusts, which are typically seen as a force of destruction, will not save them from their own destruction. This reflects the biblical theme that human efforts are futile without God's favor (Psalm 127:1).
make yourself many like the swarming locust!
The repetition emphasizes the futility of Nineveh's attempts to fortify itself. Swarming locusts are known for their overwhelming numbers, yet even such numbers will not prevent the city's downfall. This serves as a warning to all nations and individuals that reliance on human strength and numbers is ultimately vain without God's protection. The imagery also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's control over creation and history, as seen in His ability to use even locusts as instruments of His will (Amos 4:9).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NinevehThe capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its great power and cruelty. Nahum prophesies its downfall.
2.
NahumA prophet who delivers God's message of judgment against Nineveh.
3.
AssyriansThe people of Nineveh, known for their military might and oppressive rule over other nations.
4.
LocustsUsed metaphorically to describe the overwhelming and consuming nature of the coming judgment.
5.
Fire and SwordSymbols of destruction and divine judgment that will befall Nineveh.
Teaching Points
Divine Judgment is InevitableJust as Nineveh faced inevitable destruction, so too will all who oppose God's righteousness.
Pride Leads to DownfallThe Assyrians' pride and reliance on their strength led to their destruction, reminding us to remain humble before God.
God's SovereigntyThe prophecy against Nineveh demonstrates God's control over nations and history.
Repentance is KeyWhile Nahum's message is one of judgment, it serves as a warning for repentance and turning back to God.
The Power of God's WordThe fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy underscores the reliability and power of God's Word.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Nahum 3:15?
2.How does Nahum 3:15 illustrate God's judgment against Nineveh's defenses and strength?
3.What lessons can we learn about pride from Nahum 3:15's imagery?
4.How does Nahum 3:15 connect to God's justice throughout the Old Testament?
5.In what ways can Nahum 3:15 encourage us to rely on God's protection?
6.How can Nahum 3:15 inspire us to repent and seek God's mercy today?
7.What does Nahum 3:15 reveal about God's judgment on Nineveh?
8.How does Nahum 3:15 reflect God's sovereignty over nations?
9.What historical events align with the prophecy in Nahum 3:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nahum 3?
11.Is Jesus depicted riding a white horse in Revelation?
12.What does the Bible teach about controlling speech?
13.What caused the destruction of Nineveh?
14.How do we reconcile Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's swift destruction (Nahum 3:15-17) with archaeological evidence of its prolonged ruins and partial habitation?What Does Nahum 3:15 Mean
There the fire will devour you• Nahum points to a literal blaze that will break out “there”—inside Nineveh’s walls—just as Babylon’s forces set cities aflame elsewhere (seeJeremiah 50:32).
• Earlier, the LORD promised, “I will consume you with fire” (Nahum 1:6; 2:13), and history records Nineveh burning in 612 BC.
• Fire is also the picture of divine wrath that no fortress can resist;Isaiah 33:11–12 pictures nations “burned up as quickly as thorns cut down.”
the sword will cut you down• God adds the sword to the flame, underscoring a two-fold judgment: siege fire outside, hand-to-hand slaughter inside (compareJeremiah 46:10).
• The phrase echoes the covenant warning that rejecting the LORD brings “the sword” (Leviticus 26:25).
• Assyria once boasted in its own swords (Isaiah 10:13-14); now the same weapon meets them.
and consume you like a young locust• Young locusts (the hoppers) are eaten by birds and fire because they cannot fly; so Nineveh, though numerous, will be helpless.
•Joel 1:4 speaks of successive locust waves stripping the land—here the image flips: the city itself becomes the stripped prey.
• The consumption is total, leaving nothing behind, asPsalm 83:14-15 pleads God would “consume them with fire… pursue them with Your tempest.”
Make yourself many like the young locust• The taunt invites Nineveh to gather endless recruits—yet numbers cannot outmatch divine decree (Psalm 33:16-17).
• Assyria’s armies once swarmed over nations (Isaiah 36:1-2); now they are told to try it again if they dare.
• The sarcasm reflectsPsalm 2:1-4: nations may assemble, but the LORD “laughs” because their end is certain.
make yourself many like the swarming locust• Even full-grown, winged locusts eventually blow away with the wind; so Assyria’s mightiest will scatter (Nahum 3:17).
•Judges 7:12 compared Midian’s host to locusts—yet God cut them down with Gideon’s 300; sheer volume offers no safety.
•Revelation 19:17-18 pictures birds summoned to feast on the fallen armies of the earth, a parallel finale for every God-defying power.
summaryNahum 3:15 layers fire, sword, and locust imagery to promise Assyria’s total, literal destruction. Neither fortifications nor vast numbers can shield a nation when God’s righteous wrath is unleashed. The verse reminds us that the Lord keeps His word, judges arrogance, and stands sovereign over every empire—then and now.
(15, 16) The diversion of metaphor here is somewhat repugnant to modern taste. The sword, like the locust, shall devour Nineveh. Yet Nineveh is immediately afterwards compared in its numbers, destructive influence, and sudden disappearance to the locust. It is a transition like St. Paul's "going off at a word." The comparison of the locust suggests the thought that Nineveh herself has been a locust-pest to the world, and the direction of the metaphor is thereupon suddenly changed. A paraphrase will best bring out the meaning. (15) "Hostile swords devour thee, as a locust swarm devours. Vainly clusters together thy dense population, itself another locust-swarm. (16) Yea, as the stars of heaven for number have been thy merchants, as a pest of locusts which plunders one day and is gone the next."
Verse 15. -
There. In the very place where thou hast taken all these precautions.
Shall the fire devour thee. That fire played a great part in the destruction of Nineveh is asserted by historians and proved by the remains of the city discovered in modern times (see note on ver. 13: also Herod., 1:106; Diod. Sic., 2:25-28; Athen., 12:529). The fate of the last king, who burnt himself and his palace, is a well known story (see Justin, 'Hist.,' 1:3; Eusebius, 'Chronicles,' 1:9; 14:3; 15:7; Syncell., 'Chronicles,' 1:396, edit. Dind.) (Kuabenbauer).
The sword shall cut thee off. While fire destroys the buildings, the sword shall devour the inhabitants of the city.
The cankerworm; literally,
the licker (
Joel 1:4). The locust in its earlier stage is thus described (see ver. 16). The figure implies that the destruction of Nineveh should be sudden and complete, as that wrought on vegetation by an inroad of locusts.
Make thyself many. Collect thine armies, gather hosts as innumerable as the locusts, it will be all in vain. The "cankerworm" represented the enemy; the "locusts" represent the Assyrians themselves.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thereשָׁ֚ם(m)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherthe fireאֵ֔שׁ(’êš)Noun - common singular
Strong's 784:A firewill devour you;תֹּאכְלֵ֣ךְ(tō·ḵə·lêḵ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 398:To eatthe swordחֶ֔רֶב(ḥe·reḇ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordwill cut you downתַּכְרִיתֵ֣ךְ(taḵ·rî·ṯêḵ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3772:To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenantand consume youתֹּאכְלֵ֖ךְ(tō·ḵə·lêḵ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 398:To eatlike a young locust.כַּיָּ֑לֶק(kay·yā·leq)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3218:A devourer, the young locustMake yourself manyהִתְכַּבֵּ֣ד(hiṯ·kab·bêḏ)Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3513:To be heavy, weighty, or burdensomelike the young locust;כַּיֶּ֔לֶק(kay·ye·leq)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3218:A devourer, the young locustmake yourself manyהִֽתְכַּבְּדִ֖י(hiṯ·kab·bə·ḏî)Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 3513:To be heavy, weighty, or burdensomelike the swarming locust!כָּאַרְבֶּֽה׃(kā·’ar·beh)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 697:(a kind of) locust
Links
Nahum 3:15 NIVNahum 3:15 NLTNahum 3:15 ESVNahum 3:15 NASBNahum 3:15 KJV
Nahum 3:15 BibleApps.comNahum 3:15 Biblia ParalelaNahum 3:15 Chinese BibleNahum 3:15 French BibleNahum 3:15 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Nahum 3:15 There the fire will devour you (Nah. Na) 
